The Catalyst program offers three streams for students to get involved: Engage – where students participate at their own pace, Amplify – where students work with directed groups, and Lead – where students offer high level leadership.
Engage
Sustainability Community of Learners
This is a low-level commitment opportunity for students to earn Sustainability Community of Learners accreditation by completing seven learning opportunities, community service, and submitting a reflection. Learning opportunities will be listed on the Explore Sustainability page, which will be updated throughout the year.
Learning Objectives
- Engage with aspects of sustainability including environmental integrity, economic vitality, and social equity through learning and discussions on climate, biodiversity, resilient communities, justice, and circular economy
- Explore sustainability issues and solutions using an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on intersectionality
- Articulate how sustainability relates to your lives as community members and individual students, and how your actions impact sustainability
Earn the Certificate
- Attend 5 Explore Sustainability workshops;
- Attend 2 Explore Sustainability events;
- Complete 5 hours of community or volunteer service;
- Submit a personal reflection on your experience exploring and engaging with sustainability through workshops, events, and volunteer work;
- Submit a list and brief summary of 5 Explore Sustainability workshops and 2 events that you have attended; and
- Submit a letter of support from the organization that sponsored your volunteer work.
Amplify
Sustainability Amplifier
This is a mid-level commitment opportunity for students to earn Sustainability Amplifier accreditation by supporting the planning and delivery of workshops and events for the broader community, while working collaboratively with key groups/units to advance sustainability and climate goals. If you are part of a sustainability-oriented student group, you may be able to earn this accreditation.
Learning Objectives
- Develop sustainability competencies and skills to foster learning, equity, and mutual respect
- Develop project management, event planning, and facilitation skills
- Increase awareness of, and engagement in, sustainability and climate issues on and off campus
- Involve students from the Engage stream in sustainability and climate learning opportunities
Earn the Certificate
- Complete 150 hours of sustainability and climate action work;
- Submit a personal reflection on how you have developed competency fostering learning, equity, and mutual respect;
- Submit a list and brief summary of activities demonstrating 150 hours of work planning, managing, and/or facilitating sustainability related activities; and
- Submit a letter of support from a colleague or organization.
Lead
Sustainability Leader
This is a high-level commitment opportunity for students to earn Sustainability Leader accreditation by building leadership competencies through support and facilitation of a team to develop and deliver content and facilitate dialogue on sustainability and climate community issues. If you are on the executive team of a student group, you may be able to earn this accreditation.
Learning objectives
- Develop core sustainability and leadership competencies (self-awareness, systems thinking, strategic application, interpersonal and collaboration, interdisciplinary integration)
- Develop facilitation, project, and team management skills
- Develop community building skills and a knowledge base to further goals of sustainability and climate action
- Demonstrate impacts of your leadership in your community through qualitative or quantitative means
Earn the Certificate
- Complete 300 hours of sustainability and climate action work;
- Submit a personal reflection indicating how you have developed sustainability and leadership competencies (self-awareness, systems thinking, strategic application, interpersonal and collaboration, interdisciplinary integration);
- Submit a list and brief summary of activities demonstrating 300 hours of facilitation, project management, team management, and community building; and
- Submit a letter of support from a colleague or organization.
Note: Completion of each stream can occur whenever requirements are met (over 1+ years).