Voices from the Field

An Interview with Tommy Rock

More about Tommy Rock

My name is Tommy Rock; I am a member of the Navajo Nation from Monument Valley, Utah. Currently, I am the first one from my family to get a doctoral degree. I got my Bachelor degree from Arizona State University in Environmental Geography and Recreational Management in 2002. I received my Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in 2008. I went to the University of New Mexico for two years as a Research Scientist I under Johnnye Lewis, PhD. I was involved in the DiNEH Project until my funding ran out. I was funded under the National Institute of Environmental Health Supplement Grant. Afterwards, I worked at Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency- Public Water Systems Supervision Program. I was there for two years that is when I realized I need to get my doctoral degree. That is when I went back to Northern Arizona University where I received my Ph.D. in Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability in December of 2017.