Growing up in California’s Central Valley, Jonathan Garcia Renteria didn’t just learn about environmental challenges — he lived them.
His hometown of Tulare ranks among the worst in the nation for long-term particle pollution, disproportionately affecting low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
“I recognized early on that pollution and other environmental issues weren’t distant issues,” said Garcia Renteria. “They were impacting my family and neighbors every day. I wanted to do something about it.”
From poor air quality alerts to growing up around large-scale farming, his path to environmental engineering was fueled by a desire to help his community breathe easier.
From classroom projects to real-world impacts, Jonathan Garcia Renteria’s (second from left) journey reflects the power of education and community support.
In 2020, Garcia Renteria was named one of 30 Edison Scholars and received a $40,000 scholarship, which helped cover the cost of his education in environmental science at UCLA.
“I’ll never forget opening that email during COVID and seeing the video saying, ‘Congratulations!’” said Garcia Renteria. “I was freaking out with my parents. It meant I could go to college without worrying about debt, which was huge.”
Garcia Renteria enjoyed his undergraduate experience so much that he stayed at UCLA for round two: a master’s in civil engineering, with a concentration in environmental engineering.
“Every year, I’m inspired by the passion and resilience of our Edison Scholars,” said Liz Seelman, director of Corporate Relations and Philanthropy at Edison International. “Providing financial support for their journeys in STEM empowers them to tackle challenges that matter deeply to their communities. Seeing Jonathan’s story unfold is a beautiful reminder of the impact these scholarships can make.”
During his time at UCLA, Jonathan Garcia Renteria researched antibiotic resistance in wastewater, tackling issues tied to large-scale farming.
Throughout his studies, Garcia Renteria worked on projects that spanned many sectors, including researching antibiotic resistance in wastewater and studying workplace conditions among garment workers in Los Angeles. He even traveled to Japan to explore wireless power transmission for digital signage in train stations. Eventually, he returned home to pursue his love of environmental science.
With his double degree, Garcia Renteria is now working in Bakersfield as an associate environmental engineer at Trinity Consultants, where he focuses on air quality permitting and hazardous waste compliance.
“I draft air permit applications that the local air district can use to make sure facilities aren’t emitting harmful levels of pollutants,” said Garcia Renteria. “I also model how emissions disperse to make sure people living nearby aren’t exposed to significant cancer-causing chemicals. It’s rewarding because I’m helping protect the same communities I grew up in.”
Looking ahead, Garcia Renteria is considering further education in environmental law, either through a master’s in legal studies or a Juris Doctor degree. He hopes to combine his technical engineering background with legal expertise to influence environmental regulations and advocate for stronger protections in disproportionately impacted communities.
“I’ve realized that real change often comes down to policy,” said Garcia Renteria. “If I can pair my engineering experience with law, I can help shape regulations that truly protect people.”
For more information about the Edison Scholars Program, visit edison.com/edisonscholars.
 journey reflects the power of education and community support.=http://energized.staging1.iprdev.com/_gallery/get_file/?file_id=690cf5ce3d6332f51138f393&file_ext=.jpeg&page_id=690cf1c83d6332b23038f3be){kind=link}
 graduates from UCLA with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree before starting his career in environmental engineering.=http://energized.staging1.iprdev.com/_gallery/get_file/?file_id=690cf5d93d6332f36338f394&file_ext=.jpeg&page_id=690cf1c83d6332b23038f3be){kind=link}