UVA Sustainability

In this week’s Faces of Sustainability, you’ll meet Shelly, Steven, and Isabella -- three inspiring members of our UVA community.

Help us in recognizing their contribution toward advancing sustainability here at UVA.

Shelly is the Senior Academic Administration and Policy Officer for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Steven is a Professor of Commerce in the Information Technology & Innovation area of the McIntire School of Commerce. Isabella is a recent graduate of UVA, where she served as a Sustainability Pathway Student Advisory Council member with the Public Service Pathways. Get inspired by their stories! (Link in bio)

This summer, UVA’s Office for Sustainability's Ethan Heil and his faculty partners have been leading the Decarbonization Academy, a hands-on learning experience focused on advancing campus climate solutions and supporting UVA’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The program is over halfway through, so take a look at what they have been up to! In addition to group projects, the program enriches students' experience through tours and projects. In these photos, you'll see the students in action. We look forward to their final project results in August.

Every drop counts! Especially in labs. Water conservation is included in the 2030 UVA Sustainability Plan goal, and research labs play a crucial role. Sydney Kuczenski, Office for Sustainability Green Labs Specialist, tells you how in our latest blog. Link in bio.

🌱 We're Hiring: Sustainable Labs Student Employee 🌱

Are you passionate about sustainability and looking for meaningful, hands-on experience? UVA's Sustainable Labs Program is looking for an exceptional undergraduate student to join our team! Research labs across Grounds are some of the most energy- and resource-intensive spaces at UVA— which means they're also one of our biggest opportunities for impact. As our Sustainable Labs Student Employee, you'll help advance special projects that reduce the environmental footprint of research labs, working directly with the Office for Sustainability and collaborating with researchers and stakeholders across the university.

Position details:
📅 Start: Fall 2026
⏰ Hours: 5–10 hrs/week
💵 Pay: $15/hour
💻 Format: Hybrid, with some required in-person events
📍 Must be available for a weekly in-person meeting during business hours at Skipwith Hall

This is a great opportunity to build real-world sustainability experience, grow your network, and make a tangible difference in how UVA's research community operates.

Interested? Link in bio to learn more and apply! Tag a friend who'd be perfect for this role! 🔬♻️

Help us welcome our 2026-2027 Office for Sustainability Fellows!

Jessa Pecunies is a Sustainable Healthcare Fellow supporting initiatives that advance environmental stewardship across Health System operations. She earned her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington with concentrations in Business Administration and Corporate Social Responsibility. Prior to joining UVA, she worked in sustainability and operations, including greenhouse gas accounting, sustainability reporting, and process improvement across healthcare, banking, and manufacturing. She is passionate about using data and collaboration to drive meaningful organizational change. Outside of work, Jessa enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Montoya-LaPorte is a Zero Waste Fellow in the Office for Sustainability, focused on supporting waste-reduction programs on Grounds and working closely with event planners to help organize and promote Zero Waste Events. She is particularly interested in the ways environmental education and awareness can promote changes in everyday decision-making and sustainable behaviors. Elizabeth holds degrees in Public Policy and Global Sustainability from the University of Virginia and enjoys gardening, reading high fantasy, and playing the Bass Clarinet in the Charlottesville Symphony.

It's been great meeting all the incoming students and their families at the Orientation Resource Fair! 🎉 We can't wait to welcome y'all back to Grounds this fall. See you soon! 💙🧡

UVAOrientation

Please help us welcome back this summer - after spending two academic years as a sustainability student employee. Luke Rowe is currently a rising fourth-year student working as a student intern with the UVA Office for Sustainability. He is currently working on student outreach and engagement programming, including new student orientation. He is excited to transfer these skills in a career in environmental law in the future!

Thanks to everyone who donated their gently used UVA Facilities Management uniforms this spring! Facilities Management and Office for Sustainability collected nearly 160 pounds of old uniforms which will be recycled into new clothing, dog bedding or attic insulation instead of ending up in the landfill. Link in bio to learn more about the initiative and its continuation on Grounds.

Next week on Thursday, July 16, 1-2:30 p.m. join Erika Herz, Strategic Planning Specialist with UVA’s Office for Sustainability, will join the National Academy of Medicine’s Climate and Health Learning Collaborative for a discussion with fellow health system sustainability leaders.

The panel will highlight practical approaches to building collaborative projects, gaining leadership buy-in, and implementing innovative solutions to reduce medical waste and energy use in health systems. Attendees will gain insights from real-world programs and strategies advancing sustainability in healthcare.

Healthcare professionals and anyone interested in the connection between health and climate action are welcome to join the conversation. https://ow.ly/Qy4P50Zm6zg

It's time to meet our 2026 Sustainable Leadership Award Recipients. This week we share the winners in the "students" category. Congratulations to:

Gavin Crigger
Stephen Hotchkin
Isabella DeMark
Maddie Foreman