student profiles11
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Engaging Sustainability Initiatives in Schools
Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Jordan Chan knows that professionals involved in sustainability are passionate about what they do. She suggests reaching out to companies and people in positions of interest for an informational interview. That’s actually how she landed a job at PepsiCo, where she is responsible for developing programs for colleges…
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Scaling-up Sustainability in NYC School Buildings
Joe Chavez is the deputy director of optimization and energy manager for the New York City Department of Education’s Division of School Facilities. In a little over a year, he has managed to double enrollment and participation in the department’s Demand Response program.
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Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground
MSSM student Ajay Ranjith Vempati believes that the most important skill he has acquired is understanding the needs of stakeholders and their influence on the implementation of sustainability practices and translating sustainability solutions into dollar impacts.
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Student Profile: Alireza Zamani
For Alireza Zamani, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program provided a unique opportunity to build professional skills he can use in his future career as an environmental professional.
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Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals
MSSM student Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy. He is concerned by the industry’s lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach and the range of academic areas related to sustainability.
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Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand
Maya always had an interest in sustainable cities and passive building design. Because buildings make up a third of the world’s energy consumption, she believes that focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.
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Student Profile: Victoria Wagner Mastrobuono
By combining her legal experience in her native Brazil with skills developed in the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, Victoria Wagner Mastrobuono hopes to work to promote tangible improvements in governance and more equitable and sustainable practices.
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Focusing on Ecosystems to Reduce Disaster Risks
Current Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Alia’a Harun was drawn to the program because of the interdisciplinary approach towards a pragmatic implementation of sustainability. Alia’a has a background in Ecology and is looking for ways to apply hard value onto the natural environment and its services.
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Student Profile: Danny Giddings
After two years of service with the United States Peace Corps, Danny Giddings was eager to expand his knowledge of the various environmental, economic, and social issues involved in agricultural production. For Danny, the MPA ESP program offered the perfect combination of environmental policy with education in hard sciences.
Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School Class of 2026 and all of our 2026 Columbia University graduates! Learn more about our May 15 Climate School Class Day celebration. 💙 #Columbia2026 #ColumbiaClimate2026
