The Sustainability Fellows program provides an opportunity for students of any discipline to participate in furthering sustainability efforts on the FSU campus and in the Tallahassee community. Sustainability Fellows can be selected from any major or field of study. Fellows work in collaboration with campus and community partners to actively engage in research, propose strategies, and identify opportunities for sustainability issues.
benefits of being a fellow
- $250 stipend per semester
- Tackle real-world sustainability challenges
- Join a network of campus and community change agents
- Receive support and professional development from Sustainable Campus
- Fulfill FSU’s experiential learning graduation requirement through the Experience Recognition Program (ERP)
fellowship process
Fellows will be selected based on their academic background, professional experience, and personal statements. Individually or in small working groups, Fellows address a challenge related to environmental, social, and/or economic sustainability at FSU or in Tallahassee with a campus/community partnering organization.
The duration of the Fellows program is one academic semester. There will be opportunities for Fellows whose projects are ongoing to continue with the program for multiple semesters. Fellows are expected to work on their projects over the course of the semester. At the end of the fellowship, Fellows must submit a deliverable demonstrating their learning, for example, a research paper, poster, audio/visual presentation, etc.
requirements
- Be a current FSU student throughout the fellowship period
- Commit 60 hours per semester (or 5 hours per week) to project research
- Attend orientation, mid-term check-in, and final presentations
- Complete the Experiential Recognition Program Sustainability Fellows Canvas 0-credit course
- Submit a deliverable to the project partner
- Provide and receive feedback at multiple stages
Apply today
Applications for the Spring 2024 semester will open in October.
Resources for Campus & Community Partners
Sustainability Fellows facilitates collaboration between FSU faculty and students and campus/community partners. Through this programs, students gain hands-on experience and connect with professionals in the field while campus and community partners benefit from university resources, research, and faculty.
All campus departments and community organizations interested in working with fellows are invited to participate in the program by submitting project proposals. Community organizations can include government departments, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups in the Tallahassee area, the state of Florida, or the Southeast region. For more information, please check out this resource.
Sustainability Fellows Cohorts
*Click on the name of each Fellow to access a blog post about their project.
Spring 2020 Sustainability Fellows
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Alejandro SuarezProgram: First Year Undergraduate in Digital Media and Production Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Alejandro is a freshman from Miami, Florida pursuing digital media and production at FSU. Having an interest in media production and sustainable living, he is excited to be involved with this organization. |
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Alexis ChavezProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science and Policy Campus/Community Partner: Apalachee Audubon Society Alexis’s interest in sustainability increased due to the classes he took at FSU and his internship program at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Alexis joined the Sustainability Fellows program because wanted to contribute to sustainability research in Tallahassee and become more prepared for his career after graduation. |
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Andrea ZangProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: FSU Grounds and Landscaping Operations Andrea is a second-year master's student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (Go DURP!) focusing on sustainable affordable housing policy, asset-based community development, and the impact of gender and sexuality on the urban experience. She's excited to leverage her background in project management, public participation, and GIS to understand and map recycling facility access across FSU's campus - you'll find her biking around campus with a GPS all of spring 2020! |
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Dani ProffittProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Advertising and Studio Art Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Dani is a double major in Advertising and Studio Art focusing on creative, social, and business issues alike. She has a growing passion for the environment that she wanted to apply to her current professional life as well as further grow her knowledge in the field of sustainability. She saw a post on social media about the Fellows program and it seemed like the perfect fit! |
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David KrijgsmanProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environment & Society and Political Science Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability David grew up throughout Europe and South Florida, where he developed a passion for the outdoors early on in life. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in environmental law and public policy. |
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Jacob DotyProgram: Four Year Undergraduate in Geography and Economics Campus/Community Partner: FSU Grounds and Landscaping Operations Jacob is a senior studying Geography and looking towards a future career in GIS. He is looking forward to working with the Sustainability Fellows to map recycling availability on campus, make the data more accessible, and improve the recycling on campus. |
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Kate (Shiqian) WangProgram: Ph.D. Student in Geography Campus/Community Partner: Apalachee Audubon Society Katie is a Ph.D. student in the department of geography. She’s interested in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and human-environment interactions. |
Fall 2020 Sustainability Fellows
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Sarah CalzadaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Geography Campus/Community Partner: The Apalachee Audubon Society Sarah is a junior studying Geography with a minor in Environment and Society, and her sustainability journey started when she volunteered in the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil for 2 months last year. Volunteering in rainforest restoration helped her realize that sustainability is a lifelong practice that she wants to live by. Since being accepted to the Sustainability Fellowship, she is excited to continue this journey by aiding the Apalachee Audubon Society this fall! |
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Jacob DotyProgram: First Year Graduate Student in GIS Campus/Community Partner: FSU Facilities Jacob is a first year graduate student looking towards a future career in GIS. He is continuing his work as a Sustainability Fellow to map recycling availability on campus, make the data more accessible, and improve the recycling on campus, as well as working on other GIS projects with FSU Design & Construction. |
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Sarah GaltProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environment and Society Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Sarah is a Senior at FSU interested in pursuing a career that furthers environmental awareness/education, which goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. She is excited to be working with the Sustainability Fellows Program this semester, as she feels this program merges environmental and sustainable practices in an effort to educate and encourage our youth's creativity. |
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Mahyar GhorbanzadehProgram: Ph.D. candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering Campus/Community Partner: Second Harvest of the Big Bend Mahyar’s research is related to “Traffic and Transportation Engineering”. He has been involved in multiple research projects which were externally funded through agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The overlap between the goals of the Sustainability Fellows project and his research areas made him very passionate to work on this project. The journey through this project and the outcome will be mutually beneficial to him as a researcher and the organization. |
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Sajeeb KirtoniaProgram: Ph.D. candidate in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Campus/Community Partner: Second Harvest of the Big Bend Sajeeb is completing a PhD and working as a research assistant. His research is primarily focused on improving the efficiency of the transportation sector by implementing optimization techniques. He is very excited to get involved in the Sustainability Fellowship program where he will apply his knowledge to address the challenges of environmental, social and economic sustainability. |
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Tyler OshaProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science and Policy Campus/Community Partner: FSU Facilities, Procurement Tyler is a senior studying Environmental Science and Policy. He has a passion for protecting the environment and is interested in the intersection of business and sustainability. After graduation, he plans to work in the corporate sustainability field. |
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Alejandro SuarezProgram: Second Year Undergraduate in Digital Media and Production Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Alejandro is a sophomore from Miami, Florida pursuing digital media and production at FSU. Having an interest in media production and sustainable living, he is excited to be involved with this organization. |
Spring 2021 Sustainability Fellows
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Tyler OshaProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science and Policy Campus/Community Partner: Apalachicola Riverkeeper Project: ArcGIS Story Map for Apalachicola Basin Trails Tyler is a senior studying Environmental Science and Policy. He has a passion for protecting the environment and is interested in a future career in land and species conservation. His interest in the Sustainability Fellows Program stems from his desire to learn applicable skills and help community partners around Tallahassee. His definition of sustainability is when a process can be maintained while minimizing the negative externalities on the environment and community. Tyler is excited to work with Apalachicola Riverkeeper this semester! |
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Dasha KoshelevaProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: Apalachicola Riverkeeper Project: ArcGIS Story Map for Apalachicola Basin Trails Dasha is pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. The Sustainability Fellows program allows her to combine her GIS skills with her passion for sustainable design. For Dasha, sustainability is determined by the coherent and balanced work of multiple components of the development system, such as economic growth, mitigation of environmental impact, and ensuring fair and equal opportunities for people. |
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Connor FordProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Business Management Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Away from Home Recycling Analysis Connor is a Business Management major, pursuing a minor in Urban and Regional Planning with the eventual goal of becoming a planner specializing in economic development or land-use strategies. He thinks the Sustainability Fellows program is a great way to improve his local community while gaining real-world experience in environmental planning. Connor would define sustainability as the responsible management of our earth’s finite resources. |
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John MassaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Sociology and Biology Campus/Community Partner: Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) Project: iFind Recreation Resource Database John is a junior majoring in sociology and biology with an interest in public health and medicine. He was drawn to Sustainability Fellows because the projects are identified by community members, ensuring that the goals of these projects are in line with what the community really needs. His personal definition of sustainability is investing resources into our communities to preserve our environment and create long-lasting bonds between the two. |
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Mackenzie HayesProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science Campus/Community Partner: Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) Project: iFind Recreation Resource Database Mackenzie is majoring in Environmental Science (BS) with a minor in geography and urban planning. In the future, she plans to go to grad school for urban planning with a focus in sustainability or environmentalism. In the future Mackenzie wants to work on sustainability in cities regarding mixed-used development, walkable and bikeable landscapes, and equitable, public transportation. She defines sustainability as creating living life in a way that preserves a high standard of living for everyone and for future generations. |
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Rachel TulliusProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Social Work Campus/Community Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Project: Local Food Resources Inventory Rachel Tullius is a graduate student in the Master's of Social Work Program with a concentration in Policy and Social Leadership. Her interest in the Sustainability Fellowship Program comes from her passion for helping others. Sustainability, to Rachel, is a holistic lens which prioritizes longevity, accessibility, inclusion, and equity. At its core, sustainability is social work to Rachel. |
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Alyssa LoveProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Public Interest Media and Communication Campus/Community Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Project: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Marketing Alyssa Love is a first-year graduate student in the School of Communication in the Public Interest Media Communication program. In the future, Alyssa hopes to create content that gets people thinking and taking action when it comes to the world's environmental problems. She is very passionate about sustainability and helping people understand how they can help and get involved in more sustainable practices. To Alyssa, sustainability is about creating an environment that is here for future generations. Alyssa is excited to work with the Food for Thought Pantry to create a campaign that can reach as many students and people who need this amazing service. |
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Alexia DentonProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Public Health Campus/Community Partner: Healing Arts Alliance Project: Virtual Healing Arts Fact Sheet Collection Alexia is a first-year graduate student in the Master of Public Health program. She aims to pursue health policy to improve access of care for rural and underserved communities. She is very interested in holistic approaches and prevention methods to promote health. Alexia believes sustainability represents the efforts made to preserve resources and to act in such a way that best benefits individuals and their environment. |
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Ellie RillProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment & Society and Economics Campus/Community Partner: Healing Arts Alliance Project: Virtual Healing Arts Fact Sheet Collection Ellie is a junior studying Economics and Environment & Society with a minor in Computer Science. She is interested in pursuing a career that educates others on sustainable living, which goes hand-in-hand with the environment. She is very excited to be working with the Sustainability Fellows Program and Healing Arts Alliance this semester as this opportunity empowers individuals to implement sustainable, holistic practices into their everyday lives. |
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Hannah MendilloProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Identify Opportunities to Expand Community Composting Hannah is a first-year graduate student studying Urban and Regional Planning and plans to pursue a career in environmental planning after graduation. She is passionate about sustainability and building a better community, which led her to this community composting project. For Hannah, sustainability is about planning for future generations. |
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Delaney Wicker-MillerProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Management Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Sustainable Business Recognition Program Delaney is a junior majoring in Management and minoring in Environment and Society. Across her professional career, Delaney strives towards opening her sustainable business and promoting corporate responsibility in the workplace. The Fellows program offers Delaney the chance to explore both of her passions and implement all she has learned in college so far. To Delaney, sustainability means more than using metal straws and reusable bags. While every small effort counts, businesses are responsible for the vast majority of harmful emissions. Taking responsibility for means of production and implementing modern efforts is a large goal in the environmental community. Today more than anything sustainability is a collective effort between consumers and the workplace to keep our earth healthy. |
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Nicolas FieldsProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Finance Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Sustainable Business Recognition Program Nicolas is a senior studying finance. He hopes to work as a financial analyst at a company or foundation focused on mitigating climate change and helping those impacted by it. The Sustainability Fellows Program interested Nicolas because it gives him an opportunity to implement waste reducing and energy saving habits in his community, all while gaining valuable professional business experience. Sustainability to Nicolas means keeping our planet healthy with the goal of an improved quality of life not just for humans but all living organisms. |
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Linda BeauportProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science and Policy Campus/Community Partner: Florida Physicians for Social Responsibility Project: Get the Lead Out! Educational Campaign and Public Health Lobbying Initiative Linda is currently an Environmental Science and Policy Major. Her future goals include working for an organization like the Environmental Protection Agency or the United Nations Environmental Programme. She is interested in the Sustainability Fellows to aid the community and campus in its efforts to improve the quality of our surroundings. Sustainability should be flexible and adaptable to anyone who wants to partake in the effort. |
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Kimberly WattsProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Public Health Campus/Community Partner: Florida Physicians for Social Responsibility Project: Get the Lead Out! Educational Campaign and Public Health Lobbying Initiative Kimberly is in the Master of Public Health Program to prepare for a career in epidemiology. Within this field, Kimberly plans to explore public health issues and implement ways to stop a disease spread. Working with others to advocate for safe drinking water is an experience Kimberly will be able to build on, as well as one that will help improve her community. She looks forward to building her network with others who are advocates for public health. Kimberly views sustainability as something that can endure time without doing harm. |
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Sarah CalzadaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Geography Campus/Community Partner: Apalachee Audubon Society Sarah is a third-year undergraduate studying Geography with a minor in Environment and Society. After graduating from FSU, she hopes to pursue a master's degree in environmental science. Sarah is a continuing Fellow from Fall 2020, and she loved her experience of installing a bat house at Lake Elberta Park with the Apalachee Audubon Society. Sarah’s definition of Sustainability is inclusive, long-term, ethical community development towards goals that positively impact multiple parts of a community, such as environmental, economic, and human resources. |
Summer 2021 Sustainability Fellows
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Michelle EvangelistaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in International Affairs and Environment and Society Campus/Community Partner: Miami Climate Alliance Project: Social Justice Community Engagement/Marketing Michelle Evangelista is majoring in International Affairs. Some of her professional goals include starting her Honors in the Major Thesis and starting a second major in Environment and Society. She is also interested in the Sustainability Fellows program to promote sustainability in communities, while also considering the demographics and circumstances that affect the people in the area. She hopes to utilize her skills, learn, and improve her abilities to benefit herself and other people she works with. For Michelle, sustainability means the preservation of nature, resources, and the Earth for diverse communities. Everyone can contribute to the Earth’s preservation. It is important to present it from different perspectives, to bring about the most change in mindsets and habits. For sustainability to succeed, it needs to address other issues that affect its accessibility and attainment such as environmental racism. |
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Catarina FernandezProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment and Society Campus/Community Partner: Miami Climate Alliance Project: Social Justice Community Engagement/Marketing Catarina is a senior studying Environment and Society with a minor in Urban Planning. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in Urban Planning as she believes that by transforming our built environment we can change the ways we connect with our community. To her, sustainability means acting in balance with the Earth, establishing a give and take relationship which provides for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, age, etc! |
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Kaleb Hobson-GarciaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Away from Home Recycling Analysis Kaleb is a junior majoring in Environmental Science with an interest in working in environmental remediation and long-term pollution solutions. He was drawn to Sustainability Fellows as it would give him the opportunity to give back to the Tallahassee community while gaining applicable experience for professional goals. Sustainability to Kaleb is keeping the environment’s needs at the forefront while meeting the needs of an ever-evolving and growing population. |
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Jessica MeekerProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Public Administration Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Away from Home Recycling Analysis Jessica is currently in the Master of Public Administration program and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her academic and career goals include exploring energy policy and bridging the gap between government administration and engineering. She is interested in the Sustainability Fellows program because of the interesting projects proposed and the opportunity to help the local community, and Florida, become more sustainably conscious. For Jessica, sustainability encompasses the integration of the economy, societal impacts, and the environment, and she believes everyone has the opportunity to do their part |
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Corbin NallProgram: Graduate Student in Public Health and Urban & Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: City of Tallahassee, Department of Sustainability & Community Preservation Project: Tallahassee At Home Resilience Guide Corbin is a second-year graduate student pursing a joint degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Health. In the future, he hopes to work in a career focused on community health and food systems planning. The Sustainability Fellows program provides an avenue in which to explore these career goals. According to Corbin, the concepts of sustainability and resiliency go hand-in-hand for both refer to the capacity to adapt to change while continuing to thrive well into the future |
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Crystal PoseyProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Geographic Information Systems Campus/Community Partner: FSU Planning & Space Management Project: Visualizing Green and Open Spaces Crystal Posey is in the M.S. Geographic Information Systems graduate program. She graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences in 2018 and she currently works in the public sector's environmental management field. She hopes to continue my service in the public sector by supporting environmental managers and the public using geospatial technologies to protect our natural resources and enhance its ecosystems. The Fellows program gained her interest because it provides the university an all-inclusive, secure, and effective approach to combating challenges our society and environment face. Sustainability focuses on providing an approach that assists in combating those challenges. It does not deplete nor compromise our natural resources so that we can maintain a future for others to live in a healthy society and environment. |
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Michael WalshProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Integrated Marketing Communication Campus/Community Partner: FSU Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) Project: TAPS Sustainable Transportation Marketing Michael is in his final semester of the Integrated Marketing and Communication Master's program. He was drawn to making a positive impact on the FSU community before graduation. His personal definition of sustainability is making the changes necessary to ensure that future generations inherit a safe and healthy planet. |
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Peter WoodleyProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Product Development Campus/Community Partner: Compost Community Project: Tallahassee Business Environment Analysis Peter is a graduate student in the FSU Jim Moran Institute product development program with a focus on start-up and SME project management and business analysis. He interprets sustainability as a responsibility people owe to the world as global citizens to ensure the development and longevity of environmental, social, and economic resources for future generations. In alignment with his efforts to mature into a serial entrepreneur, he is confident his experience as a Fellow will challenge and develop his communication, business strategy, and leadership skills as he pioneers a start-up in the commercial sustainability sector. |
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Heather ZdybProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment and Society and Geography Campus/Community Partner: ExpeditionTLH Project: ExpeditionTLH Content Creator Heather is a junior majoring in Environment & Society and Geography with a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. In the future, she would like to pursue a graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an Environmental focus. Sustainability to Heather is a compromise of best meeting our current environmental, economic, and social needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations. She looks forward to working with ExpeditionTLH because of the opportunity to share her passions for sustainability and outdoor recreation with fellow community members. |
Fall 2021 Sustainability Fellows
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Lauren MayouProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environmental Engineering Campus/Community Partner: FSU Planning & Space Management Project: Campus Plazas, Irrigation, and Flower Bed Map Lauren Mayou is a senior studying environmental engineering and is hoping to pursue a career in water resource engineering or environmental assessment and remediation. She previously participated in an environmental assessment and feasibility project with Dr. Ahmadisharaf funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She also received the Computational Hydraulics International Grant to assist with her research and has experience as an intern at Drummond Carpenter. Lauren joined the Sustainability Fellowship program to assist FSU Planning & Space Management with their Campus Plaza project and to expand upon her experience with irrigation and flow bed mapping. For Lauren, sustainability is defined as utilizing available information to optimize the benefit to the future environment while also considering the current economic, environmental, and social costs. |
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Jessica MeekerProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Public Administration Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Away from Home Recycling Analysis Jessica is currently in the Master of Public Administration program and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her academic and career goals include exploring energy policy and bridging the gap between government administration and engineering. She is interested in the Sustainability Fellows program because of the interesting projects proposed and the opportunity to help the local community, and Florida, become more sustainably conscious. For Jessica, sustainability encompasses the integration of the economy, societal impacts, and the environment, and she believes everyone has the opportunity to do their part. |
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Zachary WigodnerProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Commercial Entrepreneurship Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Sustainable Business Recognition Program Implementation Specialist Zachary is a Commercial Entrepreneurship major, pursuing a minor in Business Analytics. He is especially interested in creating sustainable supply chains, mobilizing private equity for social ventures, and learning about emerging technologies. At the Leon County Office of Sustainability, Zach is excited to understand all aspects of the local businesses he will be working with, help them solve complex problems, and exploit opportunities for sustainable innovation. Zach believes sustainability involves human responsibility to be resourceful and forward-thinking to ensure a brighter future. |
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Heather ZdybProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment and Society and Geography Campus/Community Partner: ExpeditionTLH Project: ExpeditionTLH Content Creator Heather is a junior majoring in Environment & Society and Geography with a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. In the future, she would like to pursue a graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an Environmental focus. Sustainability to Heather is a compromise of best meeting our current environmental, economic, and social needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations. She looks forward to working with ExpeditionTLH because of the opportunity to share her passions for sustainability and outdoor recreation with fellow community members. |
Spring 2022 Sustainability Fellows
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Juan A. Arguelles OrtizProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Public Health Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Analysis of FSU Research and Teaching Juan is an educational and professional background in biochemistry and biotechnology and is currently a first-year Master of Public Health Student. He has experience working as a quality control as well as an analytical chemist within several medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and hopes to leverage his analysis background to further study the relationship between climate change, health, and bioethics. His attraction towards the Sustainability Fellowship program is due to its goal of providing students guidance carrying out real-world sustainability projects. Juan defines sustainability as an approach that considers future generations in developing practices to meet current needs. |
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Gabriella BenacquistoProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Affairs Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Analysis of FSU Research and Teaching Gabriella Benacquisto is a first year Urban and Regional Planning graduate student with a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs. Focusing her studies on environmental planning, she hopes to make sustainable choices more accessible for all community members in her work after graduation. To Gabriella, sustainability is ethical and holistic practices that protect the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems for current and future generations to thrive in harmony with. |
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Trinity IwickiProgram: Second Year Undergraduate in the Environment and Society Program Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Food Waste Prevention Educator Trinity is a second year Environment and Society student, looking to become an Environmental and/or Science Communicator. Working as a Sustainability Fellow allows them the opportunity to gain real-world experience, and further grow their skills as a communicator in service to the Tallahassee community. They aim to make sustainable living a more feasible goal for lower-income communities and families. They look at sustainability as a way of living - on both an individual and societal level - with the goal of maintaining the environment and their way of life for not just the next generation, but for many to come. |
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Dorothy LaneProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Social Work and Public Administration Campus/Community Partner: SportsAbility Alliance Project: Florida Accessible Beach Access Research Dorothy Lane is a first-year graduate student pursuing master's degrees in both Public Administration and Social Work. She strives to work at the intersection of accessibility and victim services. Dorothy defines sustainability as building programs that can continue without a single person or organization's support. She became interested in the Sustainability Fellowship as an opportunity to learn more about sustainable practices in project management. |
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Elisa Martinez CancinoProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Social Work and Criminology Campus/Community Partner: SportsAbility Alliance Project: Florida Accessible Beach Access Research Ely is a master’s student doing a joint program in Social Work and Criminology. She’s looking to move forward in the academic route and get a PhD in Social Policy with a focus in Environmentalism and Sustainability. The outdoors has always been Ely’s way of finding inner peace and a better understanding of the world. Through the SportsAbility Beach Accessibility project, she is looking forward to making it accessible for everyone to be able to connect with nature. Ely grew up around the beach and that’s why she was so passionate about this program. She’s excited to be part of change towards a better and more inclusive community! |
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Shaifali PrajapatiProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Geography Campus/Community Partner: FSU Faculty Senate, Sustainability Standing Committee Project: Defining the Student Role in the Sustainability Standing Committee of the FSU Faculty Senate Shaifali is pursuing a master’s degree with the Department of Geography. She would like to incorporate sustainability through involving decision makers and increasing engagement with communities affected by climate impacts; an integral part of research for her is the ability to disseminate information to stakeholders. She believes the program fosters collaboration among institutions like FSU and wider organizations within Florida working on sustainability. For Shaifali, sustainability starts with decisive and ambitious actions for change involving multiple sectors of society, as steps taken now can prevent adverse effects in the long term. |
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Anne-Lunie RodneyProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Business Management and Environmental Science and Policy Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Food Waste Prevention Educator Anne-Lunie Rodney is a fourth-year senior majoring in Management and Environmental Science and Policy. In the future, Anne plans to attend graduate school and later pursue both her passions through a career in Corporate Sustainability. Anne believes that the Fellows program is an amazing opportunity to learn and apply skills taught in and outside of the classroom on campus and in the community. To Anne, sustainability means making a commitment to ourselves by finding the balance in planning for today and planning for the future. |
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Karina SultanProgram: Second Year Undergraduate in Environment and Society Campus/Community Partner: Apalachee Canoe and Kayak Club Project: Big Bend River Advocate Karina is an Environment and Society major, and she hopes to have a career focused on conservationism. Her interest in the Fellows program is to take part in something bigger than herself and gain relevant experience in environmental projects. Sustainability, to Karina, means finding ways to preserve our natural resources for the benefit of society, current and future, and for the environment itself. |
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Lauren ThornbergProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: Florida Springs Institute Project: Citizen Science Data Collection and Advocacy Lauren is pursuing a master's degree in urban and regional planning with a focus on environmental planning. She is interested in adaptative planning for coastal cities, and the effects climate change has on urban life. She joined the fellows program to better understand the relationship between Florida's waterways and its communities. Her definition of sustainability is "living in a way that does not harm future generations, constantly asking ourselves if we are being good ancestors". |
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Zachary WigodnerProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Commercial Entrepreneurship Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Sustainable Business Recognition Program Implementation Specialist Zachary is a Commercial Entrepreneurship major, pursuing a minor in Business Analytics. He is especially interested in creating sustainable supply chains, mobilizing private equity for social ventures, and learning about emerging technologies. At the Leon County Office of Sustainability, Zach is excited to understand all aspects of the local businesses he will be working with, help them solve complex problems, and exploit opportunities for sustainable innovation. Zach believes sustainability involves human responsibility to be resourceful and forward-thinking to ensure a brighter future. |
Summer 2022 Sustainability Fellows
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Gabriella BenacquistoProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Affairs Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Sustainability Research and Grant Funding Gabriella Benacquisto is a first year Urban and Regional Planning graduate student with a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs. Focusing her studies on environmental planning, she hopes to make sustainable choices more accessible for all community members in her work after graduation. To Gabriella, sustainability is ethical and holistic practices that protect the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems for current and future generations to thrive in harmony with. |
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Jaylin GreenProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Jazz Performance and Environmental Science & Policy Campus/Community Partner: Citizens for a Sustainable Future Project: Environmental Justice Citizen Response Training Camp Jaylin Green is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Jazz Performance and Environmental Science & Policy. He has a focus on sustainable agriculture and energy systems. Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Jaylin is extremely familiar with the food desert crisis in America and wishes to impact his own community by creating low input systems of growing food for those in need. As a first-generation college student Jaylin has met many setbacks and hardships in this chapter of his life but continues to show that resilience and his will to learn are his greatest strengths. |
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Gabrielle HollandProgram: Second Year Graduate Student in Social Work/Public Administration Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Sustainability Research and Grant Funding Gabrielle Holland is a second-year Master of Social Work/Public Administration student. She works in Development, assisting with fundraising and grants management. After graduation, she plans to work in contract management. In the past, Gabrielle has worked with organizations that provide services to those experiencing homelessness to agencies that focus on grant research and Development. As a Social Worker, she is passionate about making sure communities and programs are sustainable. Gabrielle defines sustainability as the ability to maintain a program or community long-term, resulting in a positive impact on the economy |
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Anna LewisProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Organics Rule Change Educational Material Development Anna is a current graduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning Master’s program, where she is specializing in International Sustainable Development Planning. After graduating from the program, Anna hopes to live in Europe working as an environmental planning consultant. Anna was interested in the Sustainability Fellows program because of the way it allows students to work with real-world partners on tangible projects and goals in the field of sustainable development. The projects for the summer semester were also particularly intriguing to Anna, as many of them related to concepts of achieving the circular economy, such as recycling and composting. To Anna, sustainability is about establishing a high level of economic, environmental, and social wellbeing that does not jeopardize the quality of life of future generations |
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Paul LimProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Social Entrepreneurship Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Reducing Commercial Waste in Florida Paul is a recent graduate of the Urban and Regional Planning Master program and is currently pursuing a second master's in the Social Entrepreneurship Program majoring in Social and Sustainable Enterprises. His professional goals are focused on just sustainable development through city planning, conservation, and business development through innovation and collaboration. Paul joined the Sustainability Fellows program to expose himself to sustainability metrics and implementation of policies/acts that drive sustainability in businesses and communities. To Paul, sustainability encompasses adaptability and resiliency in the face of a changing climate, political landscape, and social constructs that each play a role in efforts of collaboration and innovation as the means to achieve a sustainable end |
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Sabrina MaturaProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science & Policy Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Leon County EV Charger Mapping and EV Readiness Guide Development Sabrina is majoring in Environmental Science and Policy and minoring in STEM Entrepreneurship and hope to work with businesses in becoming more sustainable in my future endeavors. She is very interested in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and wants to work for a big business including Amazon or Apple. Sabrina was interested in the Fellows Program because she really wants to make an impact in my community regarding sustainability and is super excited to continue to work with the Leon County Office of Sustainability this semester! Sustainability to Sabrina is living in harmony with the environment and using resources in a way that preserves them for future generations. |
Victoria Rogers-RiveraProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Political Science/International Affairs Campus/Community Partner: Citizens for a Sustainable Future Project: Environmental Justice Citizen Response Training Camp Vi Rogers-Rivera is a junior majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Spanish and Environment & Society. They're goal is to become an environmental lawyer focused on environmental justice. Vi joined the Sustainability Fellows program in order to educate and engage with their peers on environmental justice issues as well as learn about community organizing. Sustainability means creating systems that work with their communities to conserve and enrich the environment around us |
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Trinity WhiteProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Spanish Campus/Community Partner: Healing Arts Alliance Project: Healing Arts Storytelling and Journalism Trinity White, a Spanish B.A. undergrad, would describe sustainability, as a means of combating overconsumption and wastefulness of natural resources. Within the Sustainable Fellows program, she will partner with the Healing Art Alliance in order to promote holistic health within the Tallahassee community. One day, Trinity hopes to improve the quality of life of disenfranchised individuals via outreach. |
Spring 2023 Sustainability Fellows
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Kolby GawlikProgram: Third Year Undergraduate Student in Environment & Society and Public Health Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Centralized Waste Station Research Kolby Gawlik is a senior majoring in Environment & Society and Public Health. He plans on pursuing a Master’s of Science in Planning next year, where he would focus on planning for population health and the environment. Kolby wants to use his education to kickstart a career of working on sustainability initiatives in urban landscapes. Growing up in the Chicagoland area, his interest in sustainability stemmed from witnessing the effects air pollution, waste disposal, and heat waves had on the city. The Sustainability Fellows Program allows him to connect with the Tallahassee community while gaining practical experience in his field. Kolby would define sustainability as utilizing Earth's natural resources and ecosystem services in a way that protects them from degradation and enhances their connection to communities. |
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Sarah GibsonProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Political Science/Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Greek Goes Green Coordinator Sarah is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, with a concentration in Public Service. She is interested in exploring the overlap between sustainability and policy making, specifically the effects of climate change on low-income public service recipients. Sustainability to Sarah is achieving economic, environmental, and social success in present times without compromising the wellbeing of future generations. She believes that there is a place for sustainability in every sphere of work and hopes to promote that idea to campus organizations through her role as a Sustainability Fellow. |
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Shanaya JaitlyProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment & Society and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Rethink. Reset. Recycle. Website Phase 2 Development Shanaya Jaitly is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in Environment and Society and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. She is driven by her passion for sustainability and issues of environmental injustice and hopes to pursue a career in advocacy, working specifically with environmental policy geared towards combatting anthropogenic climate change. She is looking forward to participating in the Sustainability Fellows program and having the opportunity to engage the greater Tallahassee community in issues of sustainability and conservation. To Shanaya, sustainability refers to actions that promote longevity and self-sufficiency and meet the needs of all individuals. |
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Sina JangjooProgram: Public Administration and Policy Ph.D. Student Campus/Community Partner: FSU Emergency Management Project: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Sina graduated from Shiraz University with a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning and Design and two certificates in journalism and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Ecosystem, and a Master's degree in Urban and Reginal Planning. He is working on his Ph.D. degree here at FSU in Public Administration and Policy. His research focuses on finding more sustainable and resilient ways of living through social innovation and community engagement. In his spare time, you can find Sina running, swimming, exploring trails, or playing soccer. |
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Samantha KaddisProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Environment & Society and Psychology Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Tallahassee Project: Position Statements Samantha Kaddis is a senior double majoring in Environment and Society and Psychology, as well as minoring in General Business. She is very passionate about sustainability and protecting our environment and is delighted to be working on the Position Statements Project with Sustainable Tallahassee. Samantha is excited to see what she can learn from this opportunity and where it can take her in the future. |
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Jason KleinProgram: Third Year Undergraduate in Environment & Society Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Food Waste Prevention, Reduction, and Recycling at K-12 Schools Jason Klein is a third-year Environment and Society student, pursuing a career in the fields of Sustainability and Conservation. He plans to utilize his time as a Sustainability Fellow to gain leadership skills and to help him determine his interests regarding sustainability. To Jason, sustainability means improving the world while avoiding harmful practices that will negatively impact future generations. |
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Susan MoralesProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Sociology and Women's Studies Campus/Community Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Project: Food Waste Prevention, Reduction, and Recycling at K-12 Schools Susan is a 4th year Sociology and Women’s Studies major who values equity and sustainability as a form of social justice. When she is not in a classroom on FSU campus, she enjoys trying new recipes, making Spotify playlists, and spending time with friends. |
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Mary NoonanProgram: Second Year Graduate in Urban and Regional Planning Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Leon County Landscaping Mary Noonan is a second year Urban and Regional Planning graduate student with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy. With a focus on environmental planning and urban design, Mary hopes to combine her understanding of sustainable systems with a passion for art and design to develop more functional greenspaces within municipalities. Mary is excited to work with local stakeholders to enrich environments within Leon County and provide planning consultation for future projects. |
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Kalijah RahmingProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Sociology and Humanities Campus/Community Partner: Healing Arts Alliance Project: Membership Directory Kalijah is a senior at FSU studying Sociology and Humanities. She is thankful to be a member of the Spring 2023 Sustainability Fellows cohort and is excited to learn how she can implement sustainable practices into her day-to-day life. |
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Natalie StilesProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate in Interior Architecture and Design Campus/Community Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Project: Sustainable Design Natalie Stiles is a fourth-year undergraduate in the Interior Architecture and Design program. She is most interested in sustainable design for commercial fields and became a LEED Green Associate in December of 2022. To Natalie, sustainability is integral to the built environment and necessary for promising a positive environmental, economic, and social future. |
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E ThomasProgram: First Year Undergraduate in Environmental Science Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Leon County Landscaping E is a first-year undergraduate studying environmental science. They hope to work in urban planning or environmental restoration in the future, and are excited to work on a project that relates to both of these interests. Sustainability, to E, is primarily about respect, restraint, and understanding in the way humans interact with the environment and gather the resources necessary for daily life. |
Summer 2023 Sustainability Fellows
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Fiari LeGrandProgram: Third Year Undergraduate Student in Environmental Engineering Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: Sustainability Guide Fiari LeGrand is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Environmental engineering. She is driven by her passion for people and issues of environmental injustice with hopes to pursue a career in innovation, working specifically with populations most affected by environmental racism. If Fiari had to define sustainability in one sentence it would be; To prepare for the future, while meeting the needs of the present and avoiding the mistakes of the past. |
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Nia OgletreeProgram: Third Year Undergraduate Student in Environment and Society Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Tallahassee Project: Position Statements Nia Ogletree is a junior studying Environment & Society with minors in Urban & Regional Planning and African American Studies. After completing their undergraduate studies, Nia hopes to pursue work in local sustainability or environmental protection. Nia looks forward to learning new perspectives of sustainability from their time as a Fellow and is excited to work with the community partners. To Nia, sustainability goes beyond the general idea of the conservation of resources and encompasses working towards improving social justice and community issues. |
Lydia ShackelfordProgram: Second Year Undergraduate Student in Dietetics Campus/Community Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Project: Efficient Service Delivery: Uniting Principles of Dietetics, Sustainability, and Food Insecurity Intervention Lydia Shackelford is a second year undergraduate in the Dietetics program. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school and earn accreditation as a dietitian. Lydia hopes to work as a clinical dietitian and eventually open a private practice, where she will focus on helping those with digestive diseases and autoimmune illnesses. She is excited to learn how to combine her knowledge of nutrition with sustainability practices to benefit the Florida State community. From this experience, she hopes to implement the knowledge of food insecurity intervention and the minimization of food waste into her personal life and professional career. |
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Marion KnowlesProgram: First Year Graduate Student in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Administration Campus/Community Partner: Sustainable Campus Project: FSU Environmental Metrics Marion is an Urban and Regional Planning and Public Administration Joint Pathway Graduate Student. She previously graduated from Florida State University's Political Science Program and is interested in sustainability policy in Florida and continued environmental stewardship within the state. To Marion, sustainability is efficiently maximizing the current resources without compromising the quality and quantity of future resources. |
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Carly McGovernProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate Student in Environment and Society and Political Science Campus/Community Partner: Leon County Office of Sustainability Project: Sustainable Surplus Carly is a senior majoring in Environment and Society and Political Science with a minor in Geography. She is passionate about making sustainability a part of everyday life and accessible to all. Carly currently works at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection but hopes to one day work on environmental issues on a national level. During the sustainability fellows program, she will be helping to create a system to catalog and redistribute surplus office furniture and supplies among county office buildings in an effort to reduce waste. She hopes to use this as an opportunity to learn how to promote proper resource stewardship in other workplaces. Carly would describe sustainability as supporting the longevity of future generations by protecting our environmental resources. |
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Andelino CalderonProgram: Fourth Year Undergraduate Student in Dietetics Campus/Community Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry Project: Efficient Service Delivery: Uniting Principles of Dietetics, Sustainability, and Food Insecurity Intervention Andelino is a fourth-year student in the College of Health and Human Sciences pursuing a dual degree in Dietetics and Exercise Physiology. He wishes to pursue the Dietician [RD] accreditation which requires an advanced degree in nutrition. Outside of the opportunities provided through the Sustainability Fellowship, Andelino has worked in the Institute of Sport Sciences & Medicine (ISSM) at FSU. In Andelino’s eyes sustainability & harmony with our planet is the goal for humanity; Andelino believes that we have the collective means and resources to feed every individual, yet many go hungry. Through this experience he wishes to better understand the challenges of food safety, food waste, and food insecurity in the context of Community Nutrition. With his learned understanding of the world, Andelino will advocate for the power of exercise and nutrition for human health and prosperity. |