Gary Lytle

Graduate Student
MA Cohort 2016

Specialization

Indigenous rights, food security, climate change

Education

  • Master of Arts, Global Studies, UC Santa Barbara, Began: September 2016, Anticipated 2018
  • Bachelor of Arts, Communication (Organizational & Group Communication), UC Santa Barbara, June 2016
  • Technology Management Program Certification, University of California Santa Barbara, June 2016
  • Communication Associates Degree, Santa Barbara City College
  • Social Behavioral Sciences Degree, Santa Barbara City College
  • Hospital Management Degree, Santa Barbara City College
  • Culinary Arts Degree, Santa Barbara City College

 

Bio

I am a non-traditional student, in that I am 50 years old with a wife and two small children ages 6 ½ and 4 years old. I decided during the past recession to finally attend higher education and work towards a degree of some sort. My background has always been in helping people. I was a phlebotomist and lab assistant in a hospital in my hometown of Tulsa Oklahoma for almost eight years before moving out of state and taking up work in hotels and becoming a hospitality management team member for over sixteen years. I worked in that field until the recession and decided that food and restaurants, if top quality in food and service, was the next area to focus my interests. I attended Santa Barbara City College to work towards a associates in science degree in culinary arts. During my time there I discovered my love of learning and finally transferred to UCSB in the fall of 2014 after receiving degrees from SBCC in culinary arts, hospitality management, two communication degrees in applied and science emphasis, and a degree in social behavioral science. During this time of study I also worked internships in chocolate production and at many top level restaurants and catering companies. I finally landed at Toma Restaurant & Bar where I was hired as a baker and grew through the ranks to manage the entire restaurant for 2 ½ years before stepping down to attend graduate school. I have always been interested in helping people and will further do so upon completion of the Global Studies program by working for or starting an NGO. My connection to food and my being of Navajo descent are the main contributors to my interest in food security for indigenous peoples. I noticed that food security could be an issue when I lived and worked on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle Arizona for 3 ½ years and that has stuck with me and helped to grow my interest in indigenous food security globally.

Courses

Teaching Assistant (F'16): GLOBL 2 - Global Socioeconomic and Political Processes

Teaching Assistant (W'17): GLOBL 1 - Global History, Culture, and Ideology

Teaching Assistant (S'17): GLOBL 1 - Global History, Culture, and Ideology

Awards

  • Sigma Chi Eta Honor Society President 2013-2014
  • National Communication Association: Sigma Chi Eta – Chapter of the Year 2013
  • Hospitality Management student of the Year, 2011-2012
  • American Hotel & Lodging Association Scholarship Recipient, 2011-2012 & 2012-2013