This summer, I'm working as the Sustainability Communication Coordinator for the City of Kettering. As a double major in sustainability and communication, this fellowship has allowed me to explore a role that integrates both of my academic interests.
My primary project has been developing the Sustainability Office's website, as the Office was established in January. This project began with researching sustainability communication strategies, determining key content areas and organizing how to convey this information effectively. After researching, I compiled the necessary information and started constructing website pages using the City's website software. Through this platform, I created draft pages that are now under review by Kettering's Sustainability Committee, with the site expected to launch by the end of the summer.
So far, the website includes pages on upcoming sustainability events, ways to get involved, city initiatives and goals, the greenhouse gas inventory, recycling, composting, sustainable transportation, stormwater management, food access and security, climate resilience and disaster preparedness, sustainable landscaping and more. Constructing the website during the past month has given me valuable hands-on experience in applying communication strategies to sustainability topics.
In addition to the website, I have also been collaborating with Lia Schmidt, the City of Kettering's Sustainability Projects Coordinator — also a summer HSI Community Fellow — to create educational and outreach materials for the community. Together, we have developed three brochures focused on stormwater management and pollution prevention, extreme weather preparedness and resilience, and sustainable landscaping. We plan to put these brochures in public places such as libraries and the recreation center.
We're also designing sustainability surveys for residents and businesses to engage the community, help us to better understand which initiatives matter most to them and identify how we can best communicate our efforts. Throughout the summer, we've attended community events such as the Kettering Block Party and school Hot Dog Roasts to engage directly with residents. At these events, we use creative, hands-on activities to spark conversations about sustainability, gather informal feedback and introduce families and children to environmental concepts in an approachable way.
Because sustainability is such a broad field, much of my work has focused on finding effective ways to communicate complex topics to people of all ages. I've learned that using multiple communication methods and ensuring that information is clear, accessible, and relevant is essential — especially in public sector sustainability work.
Ultimately, this fellowship has deepened both my academic and personal interest in sustainability, while also showing me how critical communication and education are in advancing sustainable initiatives. Sustainability efforts rely on community engagement, and this role has shown me firsthand how communication serves as the bridge between municipal action and public involvement.
Top image: Two Hanley Sustainability Institue Summer Fellows and Kettering’s sustainability manager tabling at an annual block party, promoting the City of Kettering's sustainability initiatives and encouraging recycling through sorting games.
Bottom image: Two HSI Summer Fellows tabling at Kettering School's Hot Dog Roast to engage children in sustainability through flyers and questions for prizes.