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).