Faculty, students, leaders and staff making a difference at Penn State
Joe Gyekis, Bird Safe Penn State Advisor and Associate Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health
In our recent interview with Joseph Gyekis, Bird Safe Penn State Advisor and Associate Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health, we discussed the life-long bird admirer’s journey as an advocate for bird-safe practices on Penn State's University Park campus. This year, on October 12, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is celebrated [...]
Diane Burko, Pennsylvania research-based climate artist-activist
We recently sat down with Diane Burko, a Pennsylvania research-based climate artist-activist, to discuss art's influence in communicating the climate crisis. Burko will visit Penn State's University Park campus on October 2-3 as part of Penn State Sustainability's “Sustainability Showcase Series.” On Wednesday, October 2, she and community members will [...]
Heide Gibson, Associate Director & Student Pantry Manager for The Lion’s Pantry
We recently interviewed Heide Gibson, Associate Director and Student Pantry Manager for The Lion’s Pantry. Gibson shared her experience spreading awareness about food insecurity and further student work toward finding strategic solutions for students experiencing hunger and mitigating food insecurity. Behind East Halls and adjacent to the Blue Band Building [...]
Hilary Caldwell, Penn State Campus Organizer for the Climate Action Campaign
In our recent interview, Hilary Caldwell, Penn State's Campus Organizer for the Climate Action Campaign (CAC) during the Spring 2024 semester, shared her experience mobilizing individuals through civic engagement to tackle the climate crisis. During her time working on the CAC at Penn State, Caldwell educated students on voter registration [...]
Lorraine A. Jones, M.Ed., Ph.D Candidate, Interim EnvironMentors Program Manager
Mentoring the future STEM leaders of tomorrow is no small task. It requires the utmost sense of responsibility. In our recent interview with Lorraine Jones, EnvironMentors Program Manager and Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership, Jones emphasized the mission of the EnvironMentors program to introduce underrepresented high school students to Science, [...]
Miss Pennsylvania Miranda Moore, Sustainable Fashion Advocate and Environmental Engineer
We recently sat down with current Miss Pennsylvania Miranda Moore, a sustainable fashion advocate, environmental engineer, and graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania earning an executive certificate in social impact strategy. On April 17, Moore gave a talk at the University Park campus about fast fashion in conjunction with [...]
Heather Swan, Eco-poet and Author
We recently sat down with Heather Swan, an accomplished poet and author who teaches writing and environmental literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Swan visited Penn State Sustainability from March 20-23, 2024, as part of the Sustainability Showcase initiative, a student-founded series that has brought hundreds of experts to Penn [...]
Ayodeji “Ayo” Oluwalana, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Manager
At the heart of Penn State's commitment to sustainability lies the topic of waste management. In our recent interview with Ayodeji "Ayo" Oluwalana, the University's Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Manager, Ayo shared insights into his journey, expertise, and vision for advancing eco-friendly initiatives on campus. Stepping into the [...]
Chef Freddie Bitsoie, Navajo Chef and Author
We recently caught up with Freddie J. Bitsoie, renowned Diné (Navajo) chef and author, over a quintessential scoop of chocolate ice cream at Berkey Creamery. Chef Freddie visited Penn State Sustainability from November 2nd - November 9th for a series of events held throughout the campus and community including speaking [...]
Dr. Lara Fowler, Director of Penn State Sustainability and Chief Sustainability Officer of Penn State (2022-25)
Dr. Lara Fowler is an attorney, professor, and mediator who focuses on environmental, energy, and natural resource law, with a specific focus on water-related issues. In May 2023, Fowler was named as the Chief Sustainability Officer of Penn State and Director of Penn State Sustainability (formerly known as the Sustainability [...]
John Sanchez, Associate Professor of News and Media Ethics and American Indians in the Media
Professor John Sanchez is an Associate Professor at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. Sanchez teaches courses including “News and Media Ethics” and “American Indians in the Media.” His research and journalism focus on American Indian identity in the 21st century, and he has published articles for many [...]
Dr. Laura Guertin, Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences
Dr. Laura Guertin is a Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences at Penn State Brandywine. Her research focuses on teaching pedagogy, mainly on how Earth Sciences can improve teaching and reach every student in an impactful way. She has completed projects on science communication, audio-visual learning, and improving scientific literacy. She [...]
