RIT Climate and Sustainability Leadership Program

At RIT, we believe in fostering creativity and innovation to address the pressing challenges facing people and nature everywhere. We foster an interdisciplinary approach to address global challenges, and welcome students from all programs to join us in shaping a more sustainable future.

The climate and sustainability leadership program is a unique opportunity for passionate changemakers like you to immerse yourself in sustainability and climate action at RIT, connect with like-minded students, engage with local community leaders, and network with sustainability professionals.

This is an invite-only program.

Why You Should Choose the Climate and Sustainability Leadership Program

Interdisciplinary Approach

Sustainability is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires interdisciplinary solutions. At RIT, students from all majors will have the opportunity to hear from experts and gain insights from fields such as design, business, engineering, science, and more.
 

Social Lens

Sustainability isn’t just about recycling, planting trees, energy efficiency and cool green technologies – it is about ensuring that all people live in harmony with their natural environment. This program focuses on sustainability through a social lens, and explores intersections of sustainability, diversity, and justice.
 

Expert Leaders

Join a community of renowned scholars and researchers who are at the forefront of climate and sustainability studies. Benefit from their expertise and guidance as you embark on your academic journey.
 

Hands-On Learning

Our program emphasizes experiential learning, giving you the opportunity to learn through doing. Whether it's networking with peers, off-campus excursions, or collaborating on community projects, you’ll gain practical experience that sets you apart in your future careers.
 

Career Opportunities

Program participants will have exclusive opportunities to network with students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are working on sustainability efforts. Students from all majors will gain leadership skills and experience needed to embed sustainability into their future careers.
 

Program Highlights

Campus Leadership

Kick off the school year with a retreat with fellow participants. Learn about RIT’s sustainability initiatives and climate action plan. Consider ways to get involved in changemaking right on campus!
 

Community Engagement

Participate in unique off-campus excursions and learn about the larger sustainability ecosystem in the Greater Rochester area.
 

Professional Development

Receive exclusive access to networking with community leaders, that will enhance your professional skills and resources. Students of all majors will learn how to embed sustainability and climate action into their future careers.
 

Mentorship Opportunities

Learn from students, staff, and faculty who are engaged in sustainability efforts, including cutting-edge research projects that address pressing environmental challenges.
 

Program Expectations

Attend the program orientation:
Kick off and orientation for the program will be held on Thursday, August 24th from 4 to 7 p.m. Program participants are required to attend.

Stay Engaged with the Program:
This is a free program for emerging leaders and changemakers! To remain in good standing with the program, participants are expected to regularly attend experiences offered throughout the school year, participating in at least two programs per semester.

Complete the end-of-semester assessment:
Participate in the end-of-semester assessment conducted in the final weeks of each semester to reflect on the activities in which you participated.

Frequently Asked Questions

First-year undergraduate applicants to RIT are eligible to apply for this program. Students from all majors are welcome. The only pre-requisite is an interest in climate change and sustainability. Participants will be selected based on interest and previous involvement in sustainability and climate change-related work.

Approximately 5-7 experiences will be offered each semester. Students in the program are encouraged to seek their own sustainability-related opportunities outside of these experiences, but are not required to do so.

There is no strict minimum or maximum time commitment. Activities range from thirty minute informal gatherings to half-day field trips, retreats, and excursions. Participants are expected to attend at least two of the activities offered each semester to remain a participant of the program.

All participants are expected to attend the program orientation on Thursday, August 24th, from 4-7 p.m. More details will be provided by August 1st.

In addition to the mandatory program orientation, some examples of experiences include:

  • Sustainability excursions and networking events with fellow participants
  • Kayaking excursion on Canadice Lake, one of the freshwater lakes supplying water to the City of Rochester.
  • A sustainability tour of Downtown Rochester
  • Maple sugaring and beekeeping excursions
  • Tours of local businesses and organizations
  • Monthly coffee hours for informal networking with faculty, staff, and student leaders
  • Networking events and panels with alumni and featured campus speakers
  • Registration costs for program participants wishing to participate in sustainability and climate-focused conferences and events
  • A year-end celebration

In Fall of 2024, we welcomed the inaugural class of climate and sustainability leadership program participants!

No, this is a free program for sustainability-minded students. The program budget will cover all participation costs.

Not currently, but scholarships may available in the future.

The program is hosted by RIT Sustainability. The experiences are led by highly skilled students, staff, faculty, and community leaders.

The majority of excursions will take place on Friday afternoons and weekends. A schedule and registration for Fall Semester will be available by kick off on August 24th. 

Prospective students are encouraged to apply to this program to participate in the
programming we offer.

No, as long as you are in good standing with the program, you will remain enrolled until you graduate.