UB students receive SUNY Climate Sustainability Awards

UB students Maria Arango and DJ Ruszkowski have received SUNY Student Sustainability Awards to continue their efforts supporting environmental sustainability initiatives on campus.

The funding will support the students’ individual projects by allowing them to expand their reach and engage more students interested in sustainability.

“Our exceptional students are leading the way, and I am proud to celebrate them for the work they have done to advance the understanding of climate and sustainability on their campuses through the Student Sustainability Awards,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King said in a recent press release.

The SUNY Student Sustainability Awards are part of King’s ongoing commitment to engage students in environmental sustainability efforts across the SUNY system. Students submitted proposals in the following categories: arts and communication, environmental footprint, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, and environmental justice.

Ten students from SUNY campuses received awards to support their individual projects. Five students received the champion award, worth $1,000; five received the leadership award, worth $500.

Arango, a senior studying English, environmental sustainability and global gender and sexuality studies, received the champion award. Their project aims to increase awareness and involvement in environmental justice, particularly among students from marginalized communities.

Arango’s initiative includes a three-part environmental justice engagement series designed to connect UB students interested in environmentalism. The first event is expected to take place within the next month.

The second component is a workshop with East Side Stewards, an organization focused on community revitalization. Arango plans to use their award to compensate the facilitators leading the workshop.

The final event invites students to visit East Side Steward’s Community Gardens on its opening day, April 25.

“I want students to get out there and see how environmental justice actually manifests in the community,” Arango says.

Arango says they have always been interested in local community efforts related to environmental justice and historically marginalized communities.

“I’ve always felt that there was a gap between my academics and my community involvement,” Arango says. “I want this to be something that can bridge that gap for other students like me.”

Ruszkowski, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering, received the leadership award. His project focuses on increasing awareness of sustainability careers and helping students understand that the field is accessible regardless of major.

Ruszkowski plans to host a sustainability career panel on campus featuring professionals in the field.

“I think a lot of students don’t realize how much career potential there is in the field,” says Ruszkowski. “So, our goal is to have an event that would open up that door a bit for some students interested in sustainability and allow them to connect with other students and leaders with similar interests.”

The panel is expected to take place in March. Most of the award funding will be used to provide stipends for panelists, with remaining funds supporting event materials and refreshments.

Ruszkowski is also involved in UB’s entrepreneurship programs and is developing a company focused on increasing accessibility to solar technology. He hopes to encourage students to take advantage of sustainability opportunities available during their time at UB.

“There are so many opportunities for students to get involved here on campus,” Ruszkowski says. “Go out and get involved with something on campus; it will be well worth your time.”

Arango and Ruszkowski, along with the other SUNY Sustainability Award recipients, are continuing their work to advance environmental sustainability efforts on their campuses. The awards will support the expansion of their projects and increase student engagement in sustainability initiatives.