Sustainable Futures isn’t just aspirational—it’s a call to action. As we work toward our goals of climate resilience and environmental justice, we are looking for the next generation of leaders to turn these ambitions into reality.
Now Hiring: Sustainability Assistants & Peer Leaders
The Sustainability Office is looking for motivated students to join our team as Sustainability Assistants. These roles are part of the campus-wide Peer Leader program, focusing on building community, agency, and environmental justice solutions. You can send your resume and letter of interest to sustainability@carleton.edu, or apply directly through handshake. The career center offers excellent coaching to put together a letter of interest and your resumé.
As a Peer Leader, you won’t just be “helping out”—you’ll be shaping the future of Carleton’s climate goals. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading Major Events: Help coordinate New Student Week, the Winter Peer Leader Workshop, Climate Action Week, and Northfield Earth Day.
- Hands-on Programming: Lead Zero Waste initiatives, food access and emissions engagement strategies, and develop projects with other offices and clubs on campus.
- Media & Outreach: Host a radio show or support storytelling for climate action.
- Operations: Partnering with Campus Services or Bon Appétit or the Student Farm to improve purchasing and operational practices or how we engage food systems.
- Data , Place-based Engagement, & Mapping: Collaborate with custodial and GIS staff on zero-waste monitoring or working with IT to shrink our digital data footprints. Or explore the water quality of the Cannon River and engage for a thriving and climate resilient riverfront.
- Creative Freedom: Beyond core duties, you’ll have the chance to develop projects of specific interest. Students often use this opportunity to explore new opportunities for campus or build communication and partnering skills collaborating with other campus organizations.
Celebrating Excellence: The STEWSIE Awards
Do you know a student, faculty, or staff member who is a champion for the planet? We are currently seeking nominations for the STEWSIE Awards (one student, and one faculty or staff). These awards recognize individuals across the Carleton community who demonstrate a deep commitment to environmental sustainability through their work, study, and daily actions. These awards are decided annually by the Environmental Advisory Committee. Please send short 100-500 word nomination emails to EAC chair and co-chairs, Sarah Fortner, Devavani Chatterjea, or Rob Hanson.
Sustainability in the Classroom (and on the Farm)
As part of expanding sustainability opportunities for students, this past winter term, Carleton hosted a “Sustainability Across the Curriculum Workshop that supported faculty in sharing ideas and exploring place based sustainability teaching opportunities. In total 37 faculty and academic staff participated, representing 16 different majors across the Arts, Humanities, STEM, and Social Sciences. Faculty who participated have and will implement new activities or classes through fall term. Examples will all be shared on the Sustainability Across the Curriculum Initiative website to support visibility for how we are deepening our climate and environmental justice commitment within the classroom.
In addition, there have been exciting offerings in the LTC focused on climate justice, teaching in the Arboretum, and this spring on May 26th, 11:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m. there will be a “dirt-under-the-fingernails” approach, with a LTC on Tour – The Carleton Student Organic Farm: Opportunities in Place-Based Education held at the Farm, which serves as an opportunity to learn from faculty teaching using place-based and farm relevant strategies. We’re excited to see connections build to support students with more experiential learning at this special place. Add this event to your calendar!