Sustainability
Opportunities and Activities
The University of Dayton recognizes that we are a part of a larger community and that our actions connect us. The students and faculty in the Sustainability Program pursue a greater understanding of what a sustainable world entails. We apply this understanding to activities within the university and beyond.
Our students actively engage the greater Dayton community and the university community in conversations about sustainability. They have the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences through study abroad opportunities, service break-outs, student-led organizations, and service learning opportunities in greater Dayton.
Opportunities for growth include:
The sustainability initiative is driven by an active group of students, faculty, and staff on campus. Listed below are some of the ways to get involved on campus.
- ETHOS: This initiative of the School of Engineering seeks to provide experiential learning through service-learning internships, student organization activities, collaborative research and hands-on classroom projects that support the development of appropriate technologies for the developing world, locally and globally. Website
- Rivers Institute: A part of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, the Rivers Institute is a group of UD students and faculty working to connect the University to the Great Miami River and to the local community. Website
- Marianist Environmental Education Center: The Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is an educational ministry located at the Mount St. John Nature Preserve. Website
As the concept of sustainability gains traction in our society, employers worldwide are creating and supporting environmental food, water, and energy related jobs in every industry. Find resources and organizations that lead young professionals towards “green” opportunities in the workplace here:
Affordable College Online’s Green Degrees and Careers guide that highlights the most popular green degrees, describes sustainable careers, and provides an in depth interview with UCLA's first sustainability coordinator.
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Career Resources
- United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Career Center
- EarthWorks Environmental Science/Environmental Change Jobs
For more than a general list, check out various interdisciplinary professional opportunities related to sustainability, energy, and environmental fields of work. Many organizations give undergraduate students valuable experience both in hands on field work and in research. Read more below to find a position that interests you.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates: NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Website
- Mission of Mary Cooperative- Urban Farming Internship: The Mission of Mary Cooperative is seeking energetic and driven interns who will help us not only in our seasonal programs but also in furthering the mission and capacity of their organization. Interns assist in all matters at the farm including: seed starting, transplanting, garden maintenance, new garden construction, compost creation, harvesting, packaging, selling, marketing and delivery. Website
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Internships: Why spend your time away from class doing work that bores you? At Ohio EPA, interns are responsible for meaningful tasks, like visiting sites to determine if storm water pollution prevention plans have been implemented, collecting physical, chemical and biochemical data in stream or lake surveys, assisting with air pollution inspections and smoke readings or even helping with “fish shocking” to measure the biological diversity of a river. Website
- Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) Internships: Finding an internship with SOCHE is easy. Whether it’s the Student Research Program, the Wright-Patterson AFB Summer Internship, or the SOCHEIntern Program, you can submit one application and be consider for multiple internship programs. Through the application process, you’ll have an opportunity to select the program(s) that are right for you based on available positions and internship opportunities as they become available through the Student Research Program and AFIT Summer Internship Program. Website
Listed below are links to local sustainability, energy, and the environment community partners. Many of these partners have joined the SEE Initiative for events and activities, both on campus and in the Dayton community. Please take a moment to review the list below and learn more about how you can get involved with organizations off-campus.
- Five Rivers Metro Parks: This area park system is dedicated to protecting Greater Dayton’s natural heritage and to providing outdoor recreation and education experiences that inspire a lasting personal connection with nature. Website
- The Mission of Mary Cooperative: Mission of Mary Cooperative is an urban farming non-profit organization that works in east Dayton. They focus on the issues of food and economic social justice especially the issues of healthy food affordability and access. The work done at Mission of Mary aims to provide tangible benefits for the people of the community as well as the vacant and forgotten land of the neighborhood. Website
- Dayton Regional Green 3: Dayton Regional Green 3 is a leadership collaborative committed to enhancing the quality of life and environmental assets of the Dayton region by growing our economy, protecting a healthy environment, and promoting social responsibility. Website
- UpDayton: UpDayton seeks to spur economic growth in the Dayton region by attracting and retaining young creative talent. UpDayton wants to show young adults that the Gem City is a great place to live, work and play. And if top-notch creative young professionals want to live in our community, then top-notch entrepreneurs, businesses and investors want to be here, too. Website
- Energy Visitor Center: Located at the Dull Farm, the Energy Visitor Center provides information on conserving energy and demonstrates many working alternative renewable energies. Website
- Metroparks: Community Gardening: Since 1986, our Community Gardening program has been helping urban residents in Montgomery County develop and maintain community gardens and green projects, transforming vacant lots into productive open spaces. Community gardens are managed, maintained and owned by neighborhood residents and organizations. Community gardeners cultivate vegetable gardens, care for community-managed parks and beautify their neighborhoods with flowers and trees. The gardens provide many benefits: reduced crime rates, improved mental and physical health, and a greater sense of community.
- PNC Second Street Market: This marketplace strives to promote sustainable, local food systems in order to shrink the ecological footprint of Montgomery County. Over 40 vendors: local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans fill the charming historic freight house. Website
- Precious Planet Ministry: Called by our Catholic faith, Precious Planet Ministry seeks to engage the members of St. Francis of Assisi in a dialogue about environmental issues and to encourage parishioners to be thoughtful steward’s of God’s creation. St. Francis of Assisi Church, Centerville.
- Smaller Footprint Farm: This farm grows produce, flowers, herbs and chickens for a 45 member CSA and local farmers’ market using natural and sustainable methods. Now accepting applications for summer apprentices.