Student holds bag of recycling

Sustainability Scholars

Our Sustainability Scholars have varying interests, majors and class years.

Each is placed with a private, public, or nonprofit community institution to focus on a discrete project during the summer, and we also meet as a group to discuss how individuals and institutions can move the needle at the community-scale on environmental issues, with a particular emphasis on climate change.

Learning Objectives

Through hands-on experience and dynamic group discussion, sustainability scholars gain unique knowledge and insight as well as applicable skills, including the following.

  • Urgency and agency to make positive change for the environment
  • Familiarity with systems thinking and several sustainability-related examples
  • Knowledge of key climate change drivers, impacts, and policies
  • Knowledge of Charlotte-area sustainability challenges, opportunities, and champions
  • First-hand experience with alternative transportation modes
  • Proficiency in specific tool(s) for measuring and/or engaging sustainability
  • Ability to identify advantages and barriers to community-scale sustainability action from the perspectives of individuals, private-sector, public-sector and nonprofit organizations

2021 Sustainability Scholars

Students' minors, when applicable, have been listed in parenthesis next to their majors.

headshot of Ty Cryan

Ty Cryan '24

Major: ENV (Data Science)

Partner: Carolina Raptor Center
headshot of Mira Gladstone

Mira Gladstone '22

Major: Psychology

Partner: The Bulb, providing local produce, as well as education on health and wellness, to food insecure neighborhoods.
headshot of Emily Kaminski

Emily Kaminski '23

Major: ENV (Data Science)

Partner: The Town of Davidson's Parks and Recreation Department, promoting community access to nature, health, and wellness.
headshot of Beatrice Levy

Beatrice Levy '22

Major: Anthropology (Religion)

Partner: Crescent Communities, building community and changing lives for the better.
headshot of Kate Pottle

Kate Pottle '23

Major: ENV

Partner: Sustain Charlotte
headshot of Kat Soltany

Kat Soltany '22

Major: ENV

Partner: Clean Air Carolina
headshot of Caroline Wachino

Caroline Wachino '22

Major: ENV (Public Health)

Partner: Boomerang Water, saving the planet with a revolutionary bottling system.
headshot of Hattie Rodriguez

Hattie Rodriguez '22

Major: Sociology (ENV)

Partner: Carolina Raptor Center

2020 Sustainability Scholars

  • Clare Brantley '21
    Major: Global Public Policy, Music
    Partner: Clean Air Carolina

  • Chris Chao '22
    Major: Educational Studies, Environmental Studies
    Partner: Trees Charlotte

  • Corey Cochran '21
    Major: Environmental Studies, Russian Studies
    Partner: Everblue Training

  • Kelly Fitzgerald '21
    Major: Economics, Political Science
    Partner: BikeWalk NC

  • Raul Galvan '21
    Major: Environmental Studies, Theatre
    Partner: Sustain Charlotte

  • Will Soutendijk '21
    Major: Biology, Economics
    Partner: City of Charlotte Sustainability Office

  • Paul Stouffer '21
    Major: Art, Environmental Studies
    Partner: Carolina Raptor Center

  • Bryan Tran '23
    Major: Environmental Studies, Economics
    Partner: Carolina Raptor Center

  • Kendall Weinfeld '22
    Major: Economics, Environmental Studies
    Partner: Livable Meck