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Office of Sustainability |

People

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The Office of Sustainability exists to create an ethic, culture, & practice of sustainability at Auburn in service to improving lives, communities, and natural systems in Alabama and beyond.

Our vision is one where Auburn University leads higher education in shaping the transformation to a sustainable world.

Approach & Key Functions

Everyone has a role to play in creating a sustainable tomorrow, and our office contributes by serving as a:

  •   Catalyst
  •   Facilitator
  •   Educator
  •   Resource
  •   Advocate

In these roles, we work with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators to develop a culture and practice of sustainability.  On campus we seek to embed sustainability into the university’s operations, instruction, research, and outreach functions.  In the spirit of extension, we also offer sustainability trainings and workshops for business, government, and civic organizations.

Recognizing our opportunities and responsibilities as an institution of higher learning, we work to create a community culture where together we realize our collective ability and power to be co-creators of a future we all desire.  As a result, our work is aspirational in nature with hope and expectation of progress remaining essential to our work. By engaging with others in specific, relevant efforts, we seek to connect with the human desire to contribute to something larger than ourselves – something meaningful and lasting

Staff

Photo of Mike Kensler
Director

Mike Kensler

Mike has an MS in Natural Resources Management, Planning, and Policy from the School of Natural Resources at the University of Michigan, where his program emphasized the integration of science and policy and an interdisciplinary, holistic approach.

His previous experience includes environmental and sustainability policy, advocacy, education, and outreach work for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Mike also worked with the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates across the country focusing on environmental policy and education, organizational development, and movement building initiatives.

Mike has experience in and a passion for leadership development, organizational transformation, the creation of democratic learning communities, civic engagement, and individual and group empowerment. Mike believes that at the core of our efforts to create a sustainable society live both an ethic of responsibility toward the future, and a faith in people and their inherent aspiration, power, and ability to work together to create an ecologically, economically, and socially flourishing world.

Photo of Jennifer Morse
Outreach & Communications Manager

Jennifer Morse

Jen’s work focuses on outreach to students, faculty, and the community through education, communications, and projects. Prior to working at the Office of Sustainability here in Auburn, Jen worked in the natural resources field in research, environmental education and interpretation, recreation and wilderness management, and wilderness therapy. While in Peace Corps Ecuador she coordinated and conducted park guard training workshops, developed an ecology club for youth, and was a founding member of the Ecuadorian Environmental Education Network. She enjoys educating and inspiring others to learn about sustainability and our connections to the natural world around us.

Jen received her BS in Recreation Management from the University of Montana, and her MS from the University of Idaho in the Conservation Social Sciences Department. Her thesis was an evaluation of a wilderness therapy program for adjudicated youth.

Photograph of Amy Strickland
Program Manager

Amy Strickland

Amy joined the Office of Sustainability in 2013 and works in conjunction with faculty, staff, and students to promote the adoption of sustainable practices across campus. Prior to arriving at Auburn, Amy led a consortium of universities, health care systems, businesses, and local governments in advancing sustainability in Southwest Missouri. In this role, she focused on helping member organizations improve their sustainability performance, while also developing community-scale projects designed to make sustainable choices easier for everyone. In addition to her sustainability work, Amy spent a number of years working with the National Geographic Society to support K-12 geography education through the development of professional learning opportunities, public awareness campaigns, and policy initiatives.

Amy holds a Master in Public Administration with an emphasis in environmental policy from Missouri State University. Her research focused on sustainability as it relates to organizational development, policy implementation, and change agent strategies. Amy has also served as a Professor of Practice at Drury University, where she taught courses on sustainability management and the science of sustainability.

Student Staff

Photograph of Florrie Adams
Program Coordinator

Florrie Adams

Senior | Sustainable Biomaterials & Packaging

Florrie is a senior majoring in Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment. Growing up in the coastal town of Fairhope, Alabama, she developed a passion for the outdoors and taking care of the planet. She believes that getting moving and connecting with nature are two of the most important joys in life. Beyond this, she loves to paint and practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. While working in the Office of Sustainability, she hopes to learn more about how sustainable practices are formed on Auburn’s campus and help people learn more about the benefits of being more environmentally conscious.
Photograph of KA Davis
Social Media Specialist

KA Davis

Junior | Apparel Design | Sustainability Studies

Katherine-Anne Davis is a Junior majoring in Apparel Design with a minor in Sustainability Studies. Originally from St. Augustine Florida, Katherine-Anne grew up outside on the beach and traveling with her family. KA became interested in sustainability in 8th grade when she met a friend in Haiti that wanted to be a fashion designer just like her. On this trip, she began to recognize the inequalities faced by women in other countries and the opportunities she had in the States. Katherine-Anne hopes to someday create a brand that addresses these inequalities while creating fashionable pieces both sustainably and ethically. As an intern, KA hopes to express to students that sustainability is not an all or nothing endeavor. It is about recognizing what opportunities you have and using them not just for the benefit of yourself, but the planet and the people on it.
Photograph of Randy Martin
Communications & Program Coordinator

Randolph "Randy" Martin

Junior | Environmental Science

Randolph "Randy" Martin is a Junior in the Environmental Science program. As a student and a learner, he has pursued the intersection of community, business, and sustainability. Prior to his college career he helped tell the story of several brands in Birmingham, AL through digital media and design. He intends to use his experiences and degree to help organizations pursue a sustainable model of operations.
Photograph of Evie Pearson
Outreach Coordinator

Evelyn "Evie" Pearson

Senior | Sustainable Biomaterials & Packaging | Asian Studies | Horticulture

Evie is a senior majoring in Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging and minoring in Asian
Studies and Horticulture. She was born and raised in rural Alabama, and she has found that she loves living in areas surrounded by nature. Evie enjoys spending time outside when the weather is nice, and she stops often to admire plants that she finds interesting. After graduation, she hopes to contribute to sustainable solutions and ideas, especially at local levels. Evie is very excited to have been offered the opportunity to work with and help support the Office of Sustainability, and she is hopeful that she will learn about the different forms that careers in sustainability can take.
Photograph of Hannah Schwartz
Communications Specialist

Hannah Schwartz

Senior | Public Relations | Business

Hannah is a senior majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business. She grew up in Sharpsburg, GA and could often be found exploring with her dogs, horses, or sister. Her love for the outdoors sparked her interest in sustainability and it has since grown into a strong passion for her. Hannah loves her cat Juniper, reading, and anything she can do outdoors. As an intern with the Office of Sustainability, she hopes to learn more about small changes we can all make to preserve the Earth for tomorrow.
Photograph of Bella Wright
Communications Specialist

Bella Wright

Senior | Social Work | Sociology

Bella is a senior majoring in Social Work with a minor in Sociology. She was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. Apart from her professional interests, Bella is interested in music, culture, nature, and literature. She spends her free time playing guitar, traveling, hiking, and reading. Her professional goals include obtaining her Master’s in Social Work and pursuing a career in public policy reform. She is passionate about criminal justice, human rights, and environmentalism and hopes to make an impact in the lives of underserved populations. As an intern with the Office of Sustainability, she hopes to learn more about sustainability and how to spread awareness in the community about social issues.

Academic Partner

Rebecca Retzlaff Photo

Dr. Rebecca Retzlaff

Director, Academic Sustainability Program

Our office works in close conjunction with the Academic Sustainability Program, which focuses on:

  • training students and faculty in the concepts and application of sustainability
  • expanding the incorporation of sustainability into the curriculum
  • fostering interdisciplinary sustainability research and
  • oversight, advisement, and administration of the Sustainability Minor.

Questions about the Academic Sustainability Program may be directed to Rebecca Retzlaff at acadsustain@auburn.edu or by calling 334-663-7562.

Dr. Wyman teaches the Capstone to Sustainability and Introduction to Sustainability courses for the Minor in Sustainability Studies. Her profile in the College of Liberal Arts’ directory shares more about Dr. Wyman’s education and research interests.

Miriam Wyman Photo

Dr. Miriam Wyman

Instructor, Interdisciplinary Programs, Academic Sustainability