Program Description
How do students learn to lead?
在总统的可持续性研究学者hip (PSRF) at Swarthmore College, students learn by leading: by taking stewardship over vital sustainability challenges. The program matches motivated students with small teams of staff and faculty mentors to research, develop, and implement projects in a year-long course and associated internship. With faculty guidance, students conduct wide-ranging research and write reports, proposals, and/or white papers relevant to their sustainability project. Students will hone their skills in collaboration, gain valuable leadership and project management experience, and make meaningful contributions to advancing campus sustainability at Swarthmore. No previous environmental study or sustainability experience is required to apply, as the PSRF program seeks to encourage students to bring their unique background and develop multifaceted, creative approaches to making change.
Learn more about PSRF
Benefits to Students
- Contribute to improving sustainability on campus through a specific, high impact project
- Learn to be an agent for change in a large organization
- Gain valuable project management, communication, and advocacy skills
- Receive ongoing mentorship from faculty, staff, and other advisors
- Earn two credits (1 credit per semester) for project-based learning. Credits will be awarded through ENVS 089A and B, taught by Environmental Studies faculty, with support from the Director of Sustainability. In some cases, one of the two credits may be awarded in a major department as a directed reading.
- Earn top Swarthmore student wages for 6-10 hours weekly throughout the academic year
- Participate in a cohort of motivated students, supporting one another and solving real-world problems using interdisciplinary approaches
- Present your final projects to the President, senior staff, and the community
Program Expectations
- Enroll in 1-credit course each semester (either ENVS 089 or a directed reading in the faculty mentor’s department) and complete all course requirements. As part of the credit received:
- Participate in weekly seminar (T/Th with written assignments including a case study, a benchmarking study, a mid-project report, and a final report)
- Meet every two weeks throughout the year with a faculty mentor in a specific discipline; produce a literature survey relevant to your project and conduct research and/or analysis as appropriate to the subject
- Work on your project for 6-10 hours per week through the academic year, including weekly meetings with a staff mentor, plus additional meetings as required by the project
- Attend a launch meeting in the fall semester; present initial work mid-year to the extended PSRF community; present final projects at the end of the year at a public meeting
2021-2022 Fellows
Name |
Project |
Mentor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Juliana Lin '22 | ChesterSemester | Mark Wallace, Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies Ashley Henry, Program Manager, Lang Center |
| Alana Ballagh '22 | Climate Community |
Elizabeth Drake, Interim Director of Sustainability |
| Jorge Lopez-Nava '23 | Climate Community | Elizabeth Drake, Interim Director of Sustainability |
| Daria Syskine '22 | Crum Woods | Jeff Jabco, Director of Grounds Lars Rasmussen, Grounds |
| Sophia Schlenz '23 | Food Production | Clare Hyre, Program Manager, Office of Sustainability Sue MacQueen, Campus Engagement Coordinator, Scott Arboretum |
| Olivia Fey '23 | Healthy Building Materials | Roderick Wolfson, Planner/Project Manager |
| Aarón Urquidez '22 | Roadmap to Zero Carbon: Student Engagement | Elizabeth Drake, Interim Director of Sustainability Andy Feick, Associate Vice President for Sustainable Facilities Operation and Capital Planning |
| Alice Du '24 | Sustainability in the Curriculum |
Carr Everbach, Professor of Engineering and Environmental Studies |
| Huiying Xiao '23 | Zero Waste in Dining | Clare Hyre, Program Manager, Office of Sustainability Anthony Coshignano, Associate Vice President for Auxilliary Services |
