Herrera joins School of Environment faculty at SFSU

David Herrera joined the faculty at the School of the Environment at San Francisco State University this past Fall 2025 as an Assistant Professor, focusing on environmental justice, environmental politics and policy, urban inequality, community organizing, and social movements. His current research explores how environmental justice organizations influence local and state policy through the implementation of community organizing and coalition building strategies. Specifically, he analyzes how environmental justice organizations overcome barriers to agenda setting and collaboration so that the interests of marginalized communities are better represented in decision-making and policy spaces.

“I am very excited to be at SFSU,” David shared. “I am thrilled for many reasons. First, for being able to be return to San Francisco and the broader Bay Area where I have spent most of my life and where I developed the awareness, passion, and drive for addressing climate change and environmental justice issues. Second, I get to stay close to the communities and organizations that I have been collaborating with over the years throughout the Bay Area. Third, I have joined one of the major public universities in California and a department that shares my commitment to innovative and impact-focused research, teaching, and practice on climate action and environmental justice.” 

David is also actively recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to join the School of the Environment and pursue degrees in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography and Earth Science. He has been mentoring and supporting SFSU students on various environmental research projects including community gardens, coastal conservation, conservation districts and policies, environmental health, and state environmental policies.

Congratulations David!