- Strong Community
The Michigan Sustainability Community is open to first-year students of all majors! Past years have included approximately 25 students. In the coming years, we are hoping to expand. Our diverse community is a great way to start your time at UMich with a great set of friends with similar interests.
- Social Activities
The MSC isn’t just about learning. We offer fun activities, perfect for getting to know friends in the community. Weekly events include sustainable crafts, game nights, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and exploration in the nearby Nichols Arboretum. Every month, we host community dinners, where students learn to cook and socialize with other sustainability groups on campus. We also host exciting trips to get to know Ann Arbor and UMich resources. Local trips have included the Leslie Nature Center, the Matthai Botanical Garden, art shows, and a yearly kayaking trip in Argo Park. The MSC also hosts a Fall Break trip at the UMich Biostation where students canoe, hike, and enjoy a cozy campfire.
- Peer Mentor Network
MSC Peers are students who have lived with MSC in the past and continue to bring their skills to the community. They act as mentors and resources for first-year students, facilitate group dialogues on sustainability issues, coordinate events, assist residents in navigating campus, and more!
- Professional Development and Research Opportunities
The Michigan Sustainability Community boasts a large network of sustainability professionals to connect with our community. General events, monthly community dinners, and a faculty-in-residence have brought a wealth of networking opportunities. Guests have included a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives, the UMich Vice Provost of Sustainability, SEAS and PitE Professors, among others. MSC students are prepared for the future. MSC staff assist students in crafting résumés, elevator pitches, and cover letters. Our program takes students to the UMich Green Career Fair where they can apply for internships, summer jobs, and research opportunities. MSC students have received positions with the Michigan DNR, Clean Water Action, and more through this opportunity.
- Project Based Learning
The MSC is dedicated to hands-on education opportunities. Our course requirements and MSC activities support a Campus-as-Lab learning model. Students in the MSC initiate and connect with projects that they are passionate about. Staff and peer mentors coach students through the process of proposing, developing, and implementing sustainability initiatives. Read more about student initiatives here.
- Sustainability Leadership and Climate Awareness
There are opportunities for students to cultivate leadership skills and be introduced to sustainability-focused leadership within the UM community and beyond. Students in our program become MSC Peer Mentors, Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSLs), internship positions with the Campus Farm and Office of Campus Sustainability, and more! There are also opportunities for leadership speaking at campus events related to climate and sustainability. MSC fosters connections between students and other campus programs at the university that are focused on empowering students to take leadership in the sustainability community.
