What is sustainability at UNH?
Sustainability is one of UNH’s broad initiatives to better the community, society and environment. Campus sustainability efforts focus on more than environmental advocacy; there are movements in place working to find solutions for social and community issues such as sexual assault prevention, food insecurity, mental health problems, racial equality, sustainable business practices and more. You can get involved in your area of interest and make a difference while gaining valuable experience to add to your resume!
The Sustainability Institute at UNH grounds their work in the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The goals represent a global effort to protect the planet with strategies ranging from stopping climate change to addressing social needs such as education, health, equality and job opportunities. If you’re visiting UNH this summer, check out the Sustainability Institute and their many programs.
Ways to get involved
Sustainability Institute Internship
The Sustainability Institute, located in Nesmith Hall, is home to dedicated staff and an intern cohort of over 12 paid students who work to improve UNH and make it an empowering environment for students. I got the amazing opportunity to be part of their intern cohort for the last two years of my college experience. I worked to publish stories on their blog and interview notable people working to improve the community. I learned so much about UNH researchers, departments, initiatives, and movements that make UNH a leading organization in sustainability efforts. I also became a better writer over these past two years and I’m so thankful for all the useful skills I learned. Join their intern cohort for an amazing opportunity to work on improving UNH, collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of students (all majors participate with the Institute) and learn more about career opportunities relevant to your future!
Changemaker Fellowship
The Changemaker Fellowship is a program for incoming students to explore career paths, build a professional network, make connections and learn how to make the most out of your experience at UNH. The Changemaker Fellowship selects admitted first-year students with a passion for making change. They meet monthly with Changemaker Coaches who act as mentors and friends helping find opportunities unique to their Fellow’s specific interests and goals. The Fellowship also hosts guest speakers and pre-accepts all Fellows into to the Semester in the City program for a future semester. My roommate/best friend participated in the Semester in the City program and loved spending a semester in Boston where she worked for the nonprofit East Boston Social Centers and got the opportunity to interview and share the stories of notable community members. Her time in Boston left her with so many interesting stories to tell, not to mention a semester’s worth of real-world experience.
B Impact Clinic
The B Impact Clinic is a program that connects teams of undergraduate students from all majors and disciplines to serve as consultants for regional companies. Students work for a semester with company leaders who want to address and improve their social and environmental impacts. Here you will get tons of experience fine tuning your communication skills, work on a unique team from all backgrounds and build knowledge on improving workplace culture and practices.
Sustainability Advocates
Start off your freshman year by being a Sustainability Advocate for your residence hall. The Sustainability Advocates program is a residence hall peer-to-peer education and engagement program that aims to encourage sustainable thought and action across campus. As an advocate you would help reduce the waste your dorm produces as well as host socials that promote sustainable practices and initiatives. The advocates program is a super easy way to get involved as a freshman and learn more about the resources UNH has to offer.
Sustainability Dual Major
If you’re thinking about getting involved, the sustainability dual major is also worth considering. UNH is one of just a handful of universities to offer a sustainability dual major, which can be added to any major at UNH. You’ll develop a general understanding of various global efforts and issues that encompass the movement for sustainable change. The dual major also gives you the freedom of choosing your own electives from a list of over 50 approved courses! What can you do with a sustainability dual major? Developing expertise in sustainability through the lens of your field sets graduates apart – regardless of your dream career. Employers are looking for individuals with strong preparation and the ability to be leaders for positive change.
The bottom line is that getting involved in sustainability at UNH is easy – whatever your major or time commitment. The people you meet and opportunities you pursue through the lens of sustainability will change you – and that’s how we change the world. Watch our YouTube tour of sustainability at UNH to keep learning more.
