Liberal Arts in Action: CLA Students Work Towards Creating a More Sustainable Future

What does a sustainable future look like? And who gets to help shape it? 

In honor of Earth Day, we’re highlighting four CLA students who presented at this year’s Sustainability Symposium. Bringing their unique perspectives rooted in ethics, culture, communication, and critical thinking, these students are doing important work to reimagine a more sustainable future for us all.

From clean energy funding to sustainable agricultural practices, they reflect on their projects and how their liberal arts education has equipped them to tackle today’s most pressing environmental problems.

Student Presenters

Abigail Karger

Major: Technical writing and communications
Minor: Sustainability
Year in School: Senior

Abigail Karger (right) collecting data in Belize.

Tell us about your project. What’s your biggest takeaway?

I have three projects. My first project is a poster regarding garbage make-up on the beaches of Belize. I had the opportunity to travel with a group of Rochester med students this winter and collect data to create a poster for this symposium.

My second project is a talk on my internship and work with a local food hub that serves emerging farmers in navigating sales and production, giving them a solid consumer base in the form of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes that are shipped to consumers. Sort of like a food box subscription, but with the knowledge that everything you get is locally farmed.

My last project is another collaborative effort with four other individuals that assisted an emerging nonprofit, Land Access Alliance, with creating a database for their target audience—it's sort of like we laid the foundations for a communications team. 

How does your liberal arts education influence the way you think about your topic?

I’m not the first major you think of to be interested in sustainability, but because the liberal arts education focuses so much on creating a well-rounded individual, I was exposed to the right people and experiences, which showed me sustainability is something that I can pursue. That led me to actually get a minor in sustainability.

What has it meant to do this work as an undergraduate? Has it influenced your career ambitions?

When I first came to the U, I wanted to be an optometrist! Then, I was afforded the wonderful opportunity to travel to Germany my sophomore year to study renewable power and that completely changed the trajectory of my career. I can truly say that I view sustainably and the environmental research that has been coming out as the new space race. It's so interesting and everyone is so passionate about what they do. I now want to go into the environmental communications field for a career because it's so energized right now; we need people of all disciplines—not just scientists and engineers!

Helen Grote

Majors: English and technical writing in the environmental science track
Year in School: Sophomore

Helen Grote.

Tell us about your project. What’s your biggest takeaway?

In collaboration with the Institute on the Environment Undergraduate Leaders Program and Fresh Energy, my team and I developed a podcast titled The Impact of Uncertainty. In it, we navigate the changing landscape of clean energy funding while providing background on significant funding sources in Minnesota. Additionally, we incorporate interviews with government and community leaders working towards advancing clean energy initiatives. Our biggest takeaway from the project was the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of funding uncertainty. While many nonprofits and government agencies have confronted setbacks and concerns over federal funding, all interviewees expressed the importance of continuing their work in advancing Minnesota’s renewable energy infrastructure and future. 

How does your liberal arts education influence the way you think about your topic?

While my technical writing major often leans more toward STEM applications, it does speak to the growing need for ethics, usability, and information accessibility in science communications. Additionally, my English degree offers many courses related to sustainability, which highlight framing sustainability from an environmental justice perspective and working with communities disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, an important reminder that building a sustainable future for everyone is as much a social justice issue as an environmental science one. On clean energy, both degrees have highlighted the importance of empowering communities in advancing the renewable energy sector.

What has it meant to do this work as an undergraduate? Has it influenced your career ambitions?

Working with [the Institute on the Environment’s] Undergraduate Leaders program has given me invaluable experience in collaborative research, building connections, and project management. The program has fueled my growing enthusiasm for community engagement in STEM and exemplifies the passion students, faculty, and industry professionals have for their work in sustainability. The program continues to leave me with immense gratitude for the ability to work collaboratively with community partners and engage with other undergraduates with a deep appreciation for the environment. Additionally, working with Fresh Energy has sparked my interest in the renewable energy industry, exposing me to various nonprofit organizations and local/state governments working toward advancing MN energy and decarbonization.

Glensi Coxolca

Major: Sociology of law, criminology, and justice
Year in School: Sophomore

Glensi Coxolca.

Tell us about your project. What’s your biggest takeaway?

I work with four other peers on the project Renewing the Countryside, which focuses on expanding mini forests in Saint Paul neighborhoods. We work closely with the community by distributing surveys and sharing information about what mini forests are. We’ve also participated in various meetings where we learned about native trees and other mini forest projects around the world.

My biggest takeaway from this is inspired by Professor Miyawaki’s lifelong dedication to native reforestation and our community partners' passion for sustainability. I’ve learned that every small action toward sustainability can create lasting change, not just locally, but also globally. Every step toward sustainability matters not just for one neighborhood or group, but for the well-being of many people. It’s important to continue creating spaces where communities can live in peace with themselves and with nature. We can do that through activities like community service and by staying actively engaged in local initiatives.

How does your liberal arts education influence the way you think about your topic?

As a sociology major, my liberal arts education has greatly shaped the way I think about sustainability. It’s helped me develop key career competencies such as teamwork and leadership while engaging with diversity. Working with peers from different colleges and majors and connecting with various neighborhoods and community leaders focused on sustainability justice has broadened my perspective.

I’ve also practiced ethical reasoning by understanding that climate change and sustainability are challenges we must address together. My sociology background helps me see sustainability not just as an environmental issue but as a social one that intersects with justice, equity, and community well-being.

What has it meant to do this work as an undergraduate? Has it influenced your career ambitions?

Doing this work as an undergraduate international student has been incredibly meaningful. I had the opportunity to explore a new culture and immerse myself in a community that taught me how sustainability can lead to stronger, more united communities.

When I first started college, I was deeply passionate about social justice. Through this experience, I’ve also developed a passion for sustainability and greener communities. Now, I can proudly say that I am an international student who is passionate about social justice, sustainability, and advocating for greener communities. This project has inspired me to envision a career that blends justice with community service and environmental advocacy.

Isabel Hobot

Major: Psychology
Year in School: Senior

Isabel Hobot.

Tell us about your project. What’s your biggest takeaway?

For our project, my group and I have been researching Non-Operating Landowners (NOLs) as an avenue for the fight against climate change. NOLs are often retired farmers, or family members who inherit the land and then aren't sure how to manage the land in a sustainable way, though they are often interested in improving their sustainability. Thus, for this project we are focusing on educating NOLs on incorporating sustainable practices into their land, more specifically in improving soil health. Healthy soil is extremely beneficial in storing carbon, improving resistance to extreme weather events, and fostering biodiversity. We are partnering with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) so as to better reach NOLs. 

How does your liberal arts education influence the way you think about your topic?

I've always been deeply passionate about the environment and originally started as a biology, society, and environment major so as to further immerse myself in this passion. However, I also fell in love with psychology, and though I switched degrees, I never wanted to give up immersing myself in environmental studies, so I've continued taking several courses outside my major. I feel that sustainability and the fight against climate change are well connected to psychology. You have to learn and understand resilience when facing a battle like this, especially in a political climate that's so opposed to our mission. Additionally, my studies in psychology have helped me to learn how to reach people. For this project we're working with farmers, an area I have little experience and familiarity in, so my studies help to bridge that gap and foster empathy and understanding, despite coming from different backgrounds.

What has it meant to do this work as an undergraduate? Has it influenced your career ambitions?

To work on projects that have a real-world impact like this as an undergraduate has improved my self-efficacy and helped to dispel my fears that my future work may not be meaningful. If I can create change today, I can create change tomorrow, and I can do so in whatever area I choose. Psych, environmental science, or any other area, my future is not bound solely to my degree; it's full of opportunities to work in my many passions. I'm grateful to have been gifted opportunities like this.

 

This story was written by Regina Ramos-Francia Ylizaliturri, an undergraduate student in CLA.