Strengthening the Sustainability Studies Degree

Sustainability Studies graduated its first sizeable cohort in 2022, and the program has yet to undergo a comprehensive review. Conversations with students revealed their desire for better access to the professional field of sustainability across the sectors of non-profit, government, and business. This is an area that the current structure of the degree does not adequately address. To address these concerns, I am proposing a three-pronged approach. My first initiative is to build a database of internships across the three sectors mentioned above. The second initiative is to incorporate into the sustainability Gateway course a hands-on, curated experience of professional development that focuses sustainability-centered problem-solving within organizations. This course will include field trips, guest speakers, and learning activities that introduce students to the professional practice of sustainability. The final program initiative under this fellowship is to restructure the Capstone Course to allow students to build directly on the degree's professional and educational experiences, including the internship and field studies courses. The overarching goal of this project is to create a sequential series of experiential learning opportunities that better prepare students for success in the job market.