Hanley Sustainability Institute
Sustainability Leaders Program
The Sustainability Leaders Program is an experiential learning and professional development program open to all University of Dayton undergraduate students passionate about making our campus community more sustainable. Student Sustainability Leaders develop and lead a variety of programs and initiatives through collaboration with student groups, offices and community partners.
Student Leaders are split into a variety of teams expanding accross Sustainability topics. These include Food and Growing, Zero Waste, Sustainable Systems and Education and Engagement. Each team is responsible for maintaining a campus program(s) that supports campus sustainability efforts. Throughout a student’s time in the program, each leader is responsible to add to an existing project or program to improve or enhance the work of the team through a formal project proposal, implementation, and sustainment plan.
Program Benefits
- Hourly Pay: Starting at $10.10 an hour, program participants are compensated for their time working on hands-on projects related to their area of interest.
- Professional Mentorship: Each program participant is paired with a sustainability professional in the region. Mentor pairs meet once a month to cover professional development topics for a future in the sustainability workforce or other related fields.
- Network of Resources and Opportunities: Program participants join a robust network of interdisciplinary sustainability experts and practitioners on and off campus; giving access to even more educational opportunities and job networks.
- Hands-on Experience: Students are given the opportunity to take classroom knowledge and passion and make a direct impact on campus and in the greater community.
Application Process
Application are open once a year during the fall semester and are due before Thanksgiving Break. Please check back for more information regarding the Fall 2023 application process.
Meet the Student Leaders
Andrew joined the Student Leaders Program in spring 2024 as a member of the Residential Energy Team. As a part of this team, Andrew enjoys finding ways to reduce energy consumption of the student neighborhood and educate the campus community on sustainable energy habits. Andrew has also completed two co-op work terms for HEAPY with their Building Optimization Group where he completed commissioning and energy audit work, allowing him to improve building efficiency in a professional setting. Andrew is also a member of the River Stewards 2025 cohort and the President of the Running Club. He is currently a senior studying civil engineering with a minor in sustainability, energy and the environment, and he hopes to apply his degree and experiences to environmental sustainability and community resiliency.
Caroline is a part of the Education and Engagement Team. Her main responsibility is in the Sustainability Activation Program, where she leads meetings and facilitates Flyers Go Green PATH events and sustainability dialogues with the University of Dayton student body. Caroline is also a research assistant for Geology and Environmental Geosciences assistant professor Chia-Yu Wu. She assists in researching flood vulnerability in the southwest region of Ohio by using the computer software ArcGIS Pro. In the summer of 2024, Caroline was a Research Assistant for Biology professor Ryan McEwan and Ph.D. student Lindsey Dewey. She assisted in researching the phenology of Callery Pear trees and bird seed dispersal. Caroline also serves as treasurer of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society. Growing up in Massillon, Ohio, she gained her love for the environment by hiking and traveling to various places with her family. Her favorite experience so far is when she studied abroad in Xpu-Ha, Mexico, where she learned and experienced the marine and coral reef environment firsthand. Caroline is a senior graduating in May 2025 with a major in environmental biology, a sustainability minor and a Geographic Information Systems certificate. After graduation, she would like to get a job in ecological restoration and removing invasive species.
Amelia is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Sustainability with an Energy Concentration, and a minor in Environmental Engineering. As a member of the Hanley Sustainability Institute Residential Energy Team, she works alongside four peers to reduce energy usage and promote efficiency through student engagement and data analysis. She was the Energy Analyst Fellow for the City of Dayton during Summer 2023, where she drafted a preliminary decarbonization plan for the Office of Sustainability. During the Summer of 2024, she worked as an Assessment Reviewer for 3R Sustainability in Pittsburgh. Through her international immersions at UD, she has also developed a broader view of the world and a desire to preserve its longevity. In addition, she serves as Vice President for the RE-volv organization on campus, working with local nonprofits to install solar panels. With experience in sustainability, renewable energy engineering, business and entrepreneurship, Amelia is eager to apply her skills in all sectors to propel our world to Net-Zero.
Kelsey was born in Dayton and has maintained a strong connection with the local community throughout her life. As a child, her family spent lots of time outdoors in the local Metroparks. These positive experiences have greatly contributed to her decision to pursue a career in the sustainability field. Kelsey still enjoys various outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and kayaking. Some of her other interests include dancing, painting and traveling. Kelsey is currently a student at the University of Dayton on track to graduate in the spring of 2026. She is a Sustainability major with a concentration in sustainable watersheds, as well as a minor in biology. Kelsey has always been passionate about protecting nature and hopes to utilize her sustainability major to educate others on how to live more sustainably. As part of HSI, Kelsey works as a Student Leader on the Education and Engagement team. She helps run the Sustainability Activation Program on campus and has worked with her peers to start a high school outreach program focused on teaching younger students the importance of sustainable practices. During the summer of 2024, Kelsey participated as an HSI Community Fellow in Kettering, Ohio. This opportunity allowed her to interact with local community members to discuss sustainability issues beyond the UD campus. She spent time researching various city-specific sustainability initiatives with the goal of supporting Kettering in developing a Sustainability Action Plan. Kelsey’s fellowship with the City of Kettering allowed her to apply her sustainability knowledge in the real world. It also gave her an opportunity to network with other members in the sustainability field. In the future, Kelsey plans to continue her work on local sustainability in hopes of developing a career in sustainability after graduation.
Brennen is originally from Memphis, and is currently a sophomore mechanical engineering major with a concentration in aerospace engineering and a minor in music. He is a Student Leader on the Energy Team for Hanley Sustainability Institute, where he works alongside four peers to evaluate campus energy usage and identify potential solutions. He worked as a fellow at HSI over summer 2024, focusing on residential energy efficiency on the university’s campus. In this position, he worked to evaluate in detail the energy efficiency of individual houses in the student neighborhood and inspect each house to determine key energy issues. Brennen is interested in incorporating sustainable practices into the aerospace industry as an engineer.
Emme is currently pursuing a degree in sustainability with a concentration in urban sustainability. Emme has been a part of the Zero Waste Team within the student leaders’ program since spring of 2021. Some work she has done through the Student Leaders program includes collecting and sustaining UD’s Student Neighborhood Composting Program and aiding in hosting Zero Waste Events on campus.
Anne is a member of the Circularity team whose main focus is sustainability consulting with Flyer Enterprises and the Green Office Program. She is also a Student Director of Communication and Outreach, where her main role is social media management, student engagement events and HSI blog posts. Over the summer, she worked as the Food Systems Coordinator with the HSI Summer Undergraduate Fellowship program. Her main projects included conducting a garden CSA program, creating educational materials and signage to promote sustainable dining practices, analyzing food waste logs and providing recommendations on how to reduce waste and creating a dining sustainability certification. Anne is a sophomore sustainability major with a concentration in urban sustainability and a minor in public relations. She is interested in education and outreach, environmental justice, sustainable business practices and food systems. On campus, she is also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity. Last year she served as the Philanthropy Chair and is serving as the Fellowship Vice President this academic year. One of her favorite events so far was planning the philanthropy hot dog sale for SICSA, a local animal shelter. Anne is also interested in service within the sustainability field.
Zay is a student leader on the Circularity Team at HSI. In this role, he collaborates with Flyer Enterprise to lead the Flyer Enterprise Sustainability Consulting (FESC) program, aiming to enhance the sustainability of Flyer Enterprise's business operations. Additionally, Zay contributes to the Green Office Program, partnering with various campus departments to promote sustainable practices and foster a culture of environmental responsibility. As a future project, he is exploring the potential to broaden fair trade initiatives at the university. An international student from Yangon, Myanmar, Zay is a sophomore majoring in finance and business analytics. His involvement with HSI is driven by a vision of integrating sustainability into business practices and contributing to positive environmental and ethical changes. Beyond his work in sustainability, Zay is actively engaged in Campus Recreation, Epsilon Nu Tau professional fraternity, the Asian American Association and the Interfaith Student Council at Campus Ministry. Last summer, he participated in the University of Dayton Summer Appalachian Program (UDSAP), an immersive community-focused service initiative where he embraced simple living, sustainability and a deep respect for nature and community in Salyersville, Ky.
Bryan Mitchell is a Senior from Perrysburg, Ohio, with plans of graduating in December 2024. He is majoring in sustainability with a concentration in urban sustainability. As a student leader on the education and engagement team at HSI, he focuses on sustainable education on campus, as well as educational outreach to local high schools in the Dayton area. His passion toward sustainability comes from a long-term interest in the environment and its processes. During the summer of 2024, Bryan had the pleasure of working with Mission of Mary Cooperative developing skills of community engagement and learning the importance of quality food to create a more sustainable community. Bryan is also a member of the university’s club baseball team with other interests in hiking, camping, golfing and card games. Post graduation, Bryan would like to use his knowledge on sustainability to help cities and communities create a more sustainable and just environment.
As a passionate advocate for sustainability and outdoor education, Rose is a member of the Food Systems Team with HSI’s Student Leaders Program. Driven by her love for the outdoors, she is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship among children and teens. Pursuing a degree in environmental biology at the University of Dayton, Rose actively seeks opportunities to deepen her understanding of the natural world and gain hands-on experience through specialized courses. Originally from Kansas City, Mo., she enjoys returning home to attend Chiefs games and visit family. During the summer, Rose works as a camp counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies, near Rocky Mountain National Park. In this role, she engages with youth in an outdoor setting, teaching them about Leave No Trace principles, personal development and safe outdoor practices. Rose is committed to advancing environmental education and developing sustainable food systems in the Dayton area and on the University of Dayton campus. She is actively seeking new opportunities to further these efforts and explore additional areas of impact.
Georgia is senior member of the Circularity Team at HSI. She works closely with Flyer Enterprises, introducing sustainable consulting into general operations by conducting audits, assembling reports and developing semester projects. Aside from her work at HSI, she is also interning at Mission of Mary Cooperative, which is a local urban farm that focuses on tackling food insecurity in the Dayton area. Her work at Mission of Mary has inspired her to continue her career in food systems and urban agriculture postgrad. Georgia is currently obtaining a degree in urban sustainability with a minor in political science. She has a passion for environmental justice and localized sustainability efforts, which motivates her project work at HSI. When she is not working or playing outside, she is planning her next trip or adventure. Over the summer, Georgia spent 12 weeks in Accra, Ghana, developing a machine that transforms plastic waste into new 3D printed products. She hopes to continue to gain international experience and looks forward to future travels.
Lia is pursuing a degree in sustainability with a concentration in sustainable watersheds. She became interested in sustainability at an early age through community involvement and by following the example of her family. As a student leader, she is on the Education and Engagement team, leading the Sustainability Activation Program and high school outreach program. Over the summer, Lia participated in HSI’s undergraduate summer fellowship as the Zero Waste Fellow. She piloted a recycling program in the Marycrest dormitory that aimed to improve recycling efforts, signage and zero waste habits on campus. Her future goals include working to have a personal impact on local communities and improving interest in sustainability activities.
Megan is a member of the Zero Waste Team. Her main responsibilities on the team are running the Student Neighborhood Composting Program and Zero Waste Events. She started working at HSI in Spring of 2023. Megan’s major is Environmental Biology and she has a minor in Sustainability. She hopes to work in Urban Sustainability after she graduates in May of 2025. Her hometown is Youngstown, Ohio. Megan’s love for sustainability and the environment started when she began volunteering at age of 9 at Mill Creek MetroPark, where she taught children about composting and how to garden. Megan returned to Mill Creek to work as their Fellows Riverside Garden intern in the Summer of 2023. She also has worked as a research assistant in the McEwan’s Forest Restoration and Invasive Species Lab since the fall of 2023 and worked in the lab during the Summer of 2024.
Colleen is currently working as a student leader on the Residential Energy Team, in which the focus on increasing energy efficiency in the student neighborhood. Through house audits and data analysis, the team focuses on finding the best areas to improve on campus. Originally from Chicago, Colleen developed a passion for sustainability through starting waste initiatives in high school and collaborating on earth week celebrations. She is currently studying chemical engineering and plans on pursuing work in the energy and fuel industry.
Lily is currently a member of the Zero Waste team at HSI and helps facilitate and execute the Student Neighborhood Composting Program, Office Composting program and Zero Waste Events. Lily joined the program her freshman year in the spring of 2023, and has gained and spread awareness for sustainable living and eating ever since. Lily also works at Old River park, the facility on campus where the compost is processed. Here, she tends to the garden and helps collect even more compost from dining facilities. Lily is a junior environmental biology student who plans to pursue a career in animal rescue and rehabilitation. She has previously worked in a wildlife rehabilitation hospital and in a zoo where she gained valuable hands-on experience and education. Lily is originally from New Jersey and loves to spend her time outside and in the ocean. Her passion for the environment came from rescuing trapped horseshoe crabs and doing other environmental service projects throughout high school.
Izzy is a senior sustainability major with an urban concentration. They are from Troy, Ohio, where they grew up surrounded by the great outdoors, sparking a love for the environment. They decided to go to the University of Dayton because of the environmental values the campus holds. Izzy believes we all have an obligation to take care of our planet and encourages everyone to practice sustainability in their everyday lives. Izzy joined the HSI Sustainability Leaders Program in winter 2023 after being involved in all things sustainability on campus. Their passions include sustainable urban development and social sustainability. In the summer of 2024, Izzy conducted an independent research project centered around implementing sustainable urban planning strategies in Downtown Dayton with HSI through the SURF program. Furthering their education, Izzy plans on pursuing higher education and acquiring a position in local government as an urban planner, sharing their passion for sustainability to a wider audience.
Student Directors
The Student Directors Initiative is an opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills in a concentrated area. Student Directors not only concentrate on a specialty but work together to develop and facilitate meeting content for the Student Leader Mini-Course: Leaders Leading Leaders.
Impact reporting
The Student Director of Impact Reporting guides student leader projects to support the variety of commitments and agreements made by the University. This position is responsible for supporting fellow student leaders in developing key metrics and tools for measuring success across all teams. Additionally, they are responsible for initiating and ensuring the longevity of the Student Sustainability Leadership Council a platform in which increases communication, enhances collaboration, quantifies achievements, and identifies gaps among the five core student run sustainability organizations.
Shannon is in her second year on the Energy Team of the Student Leaders program. She is a double major in sustainability and psychology with a concentration in urban sustainability and a minor in Chinese. She is in Model U.N., Symphonic Wind Ensemble and UD Dayton Irish. From Cinicinnati, Shannon fell in love with the world and people around her, which led her into the field of sustainability. She joined the Energy Team as a new challenge, and to learn more about ways to improve the infrastructure students live in. As a part of the Energy Team, Shannon has planned and ran an educational bootcamp for students and learned the inner workings of GIS. In continuation of this work she was a Residential Energy Analyst Summer Fellow at HSI. As a part of this work, she conducted on-site audits on select houses in the student neighborhood, managed energy data and made suggestions for common household issues. This semester, Shannon is also beginning her additional position as an Impact Reporter.
Communication and Outreach
The Student Director(s) of Communication and Outreach works to effectively communicate and increase the visibility of the HSI Sustainability Leader Program’s work. This position works collaboratively with fellow student leaders in developing and implementing communication material throughout the UD network of email, social media, website and other various communication outlets.
As a member of the Food and Growing Team, Libby has been able to take her environmental biology major and put her passions to work at HSI. She helped organize the farmers markets, reinstated the Food Recovery Network and does work promoting fresh produce from the on-campus garden. Libby moved far from her home in Colorado, but has had an amazing time at Dayton, sharing her love for sustainability with her peers. During the summer she spends her time doing outdoor work on conservation crews across the states continuing to help others experience and learn about the outdoors. Libby also holds the co-student director position for communication and outreach and is excited to see where life takes her post college.
Anne is a member of the Circularity team whose main focus is sustainability consulting with Flyer Enterprises and the Green Office Program. She is also a Student Director of Communication and Outreach, where her main role is social media management, student engagement events and HSI blog posts. Over the summer, she worked as the Food Systems Coordinator with the HSI Summer Undergraduate Fellowship program. Her main projects included conducting a garden CSA program, creating educational materials and signage to promote sustainable dining practices, analyzing food waste logs and providing recommendations on how to reduce waste and creating a dining sustainability certification. Anne is a sophomore sustainability major with a concentration in urban sustainability and a minor in public relations. She is interested in education and outreach, environmental justice, sustainable business practices and food systems. On campus, she is also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity. Last year she served as the Philanthropy Chair and is serving as the Fellowship Vice President this academic year. One of her favorite events so far was planning the philanthropy hot dog sale for SICSA, a local animal shelter. Anne is also interested in service within the sustainability field.
Campus Partnerships
The Student Director of Campus Partnerships is to support fellow student leaders to develop strong engagement programming to sustain campus projects. This position is responsible for supporting fellow student leaders in engaging with the great campus community around sustainability and the specific work each respective team is leading.
Elizabeth is a senior environmental biology student minoring in sustainability, energy and the environment. Her passion for service and environmental advocacy grew after volunteering for Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program in Abu Dhabi. Because she grew up in the arid desert climate, Elizabeth treasures every opportunity to be outside. As the Student Director of Campus Partnerships at HSI, Elizabeth spearheads the Student Sustainability Leadership Council, composed of five organizations supporting and implementing campus-wide sustainability initiatives. She is also part of the HSI Food & Growing team coordinating Old River Park Garden Days and Local Business Spotlight trips. At the University of Dayton, she aims to cultivate deeper connections with nature among university students. She received the 2024 Visionary Leadership Award and 2023 Emerging Leader Award for her achievements as Sustainability Club President, civic engagement within the Dayton community through the River Stewards program and dedication to the sustainability goals outlined in the Laudato Si Action Platform. Her devotion to social responsibility is illustrated in her plans to work in watershed management or environmental consulting.
Local Policy and Progress
The Student Director(s) of Local Policy and Progress connect the Student Leader Program to the greater Dayton Sustainability Community. This position is responsible for supporting fellow student leaders in understanding local sustainability initiatives, connecting them with sustainability resources in the Dayton area, and helping them engage with the Dayton community beyond campus.
Luci is a member of the Food and Growing Team at HSI. She helps coordinate the Food Recovery Network initiative, Garden Days at UD’s garden and the Farmer’s Market among other responsibilities. Luci is very passionate about food equity, and feels being on the Food and Growing Team is a great complement to her passion. Luci is a junior international studies major with a concentration in global health and the environment. She is also studying sustainability and Spanish. From a young age, Luci has been passionate about environmental justice, which was cultivated during her high school years through her involvement in a student-led organization, Confront the Climate Crisis. This advocacy work enabled her to realize her desire to be an environmental lawyer in the future. Luci hopes to make a difference by promoting sustainability on campus and throughout her career.
Professional mentorship
Mentors Initiative
At the beginning of the Fall Semester, each Student Leader is paired with a local Sustainability Professional. The field of sustainability is vast and dynamic, through this program, students are able to ask questions that will help them in their vocational development through the program:
- Where did you work prior to your current job?
- What obstacles did you encounter when looking for your first job out of college?
- How do you balance your personal and professional life?
- What skills do you look for in a colleague?
With access to the mentorship handbook, suggested meeting objectives and reflection questions mentors should feel well equipped in taking on a student mentee while being granted the flexibility to cater the program to their personal schedule and commitments.
Interested in becoming a mentor for our next generation of sustainability leaders?