Thank you for considering a donation to our Spark campaign! Below are the stories of four students who served as Sustainability Fellows in the past, and who were able to make a positive community impact thanks to your donations. All donations from this Great Give campaign will go toward supporting our future Sustainability Fellows. To learn about our current cohort, click here. 

Samantha Jimenez

In Summer 2024, Samantha worked with FSU’s Food for Thought Pantry (FFTP) to craft outreach materials that educate people about food waste and destigmatize the issue of food insecurity as it greatly impacts college students. Samantha worked with the FFTP to create a marketing campaign informing consumers about last-mile food waste, food safety factors relevant to donation, and how social and environmental sustainability are intertwined. “It’s made me more confident with tackling topics I may not know much about at the start, but that I have a passion for. Being a Fellow allowed me to grow and explore something I hadn’t had the opportunity to in my regular major courses,” said Samantha.

Will Hill

In Summer 2024, Will worked with the FSU College of Motion Picture Arts to implement more sustainable film set practices that comply with the PEACHy framework, from the Environmental Media Association Green Seal program. This initiative aimed to find sustainable avenues that align with the film industry’s growing commitment to environmentalism, such as cutting down on waste produced on set, repurposing materials, and being intentional in the environmental messages in cinema. “Across so many different colleges and departments the Fellows program is making a nice link between FSU and the broader community, with the sustainability element as the connecting factor,” said Will.

Grace Narres

From the Summer through the Fall of 2024, Grace worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on a critical project: a recycling program initiative designed for Maclay State Park. For this project, Grace explored localized community engagement and how these efforts can lead to positive impacts in different aspects of life such as health, well-being, and behavioral change. Grace’s project culminated in her planning and hosting a National Recycling Day event at Maclay. “Being a Fellow has taught me that you don’t need to be majoring in environmental science to be working in sustainability-related fields. I thought my sustainability journey was over because I wasn’t majoring in that sphere but it’s just starting!” said Grace.

Nastya Sidorova

In Spring 2024, Nastya worked with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council to craft a sustainability development plan for Gadsden County’s economic development. As a fellow, Nastya researched the county's demographics, geography, economy, culture, infrastructure, and quality of life. By participating in meetings with the local community, she ensured that the sustainable development plan reflected the needs of the public. “Being a Fellow is all about sharing ideas and understanding how we contribute to our community. Your contribution to being at FSU is bigger than just being a student, it extends your presence and your impact,” said Nastya.