Blog

Engage 100 is an immersive program unique to FSU, where first-year students can take any class that falls under the umbrella of “Engage 100” to facilitate their transition into college. These Engage 100 classes are designed to foster connections, encourage student engagement, and challenge participants while preparing them for future success in college.

As my time with Sustainable Campus and the Seminole Organic Garden comes to an end, I want to share my reflection on the past several years I’ve spent in the garden. 

In 2021, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the garden through my best friend and former garden coordinator, Kate Lovett. If not for her, I would not have been given the chance to learn, grow, and inspire others in the space for years to come. 

During the Summer 2024 semester, fourteen Sustainability Fellows partnered with six campus and community partners to tackle a variety of sustainability challenges.

Partner: Coastal Plains Institute 

Project: Illustrated Field Guide 

Student: Lauren Pinder 

In the Fall of 2024, The Challenger Center of Tallahassee became Gold Certified as a Green Office. This is the first time that The Challenger Center of Tallahassee has been Green Office certified, and seeing the office breakthrough at the highest level of Green Office certification is an exciting sustainability achievement.  

Partner: Sustainable Campus

Project: Revitalizing The FSU Sustainable Campus YouTube

Student: McKinnon Bell

This past Spring semester, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Spring ‘24 Sustainability Fellows cohort working with Florida State University’s Office of Sustainability to revitalize their YouTube channel.  

Gabriella Mohammed, a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Engineering, worked as a Sustainability Fellow as a part of the Spring 2024 cohort. Partnered with the City of Tallahassee Utilities, Gabriella’s project focused on energy storage innovation for the Clean Energy Plan. Gabriella was particularly excited to take on this project as the goals tie back to her passion for learning more about the energy industry, particularly concentrating on renewable energy.

There are over 200 places on the main campus of Florida State University to refill your water bottle, coffee pot, mug, or other vessel that requires drinking water. Each of these water bottle refill stations is either from the brand Elkay or Brita. From the two brands, there are also subcategories of a single refill station or a hilo refill station. A single station may be either brand and means there is one refill station above a regular water fountain.

I first learned of Tallahassee Future Leaders Academy (TFLA) through my school, Capital Preparatory, and thought it was interesting because I wanted a job but did not know how working really worked as I am only a rising sophomore. I took this opportunity and received a job placement here at Sustainable Campus at Florida State University. 

Partner: Apalachee Regional Planning Council

Project: Sustainability Development Plan for Gadsden County's Economic Development

Student: Nastya Sidorova