Office of Sustainability
Mission
The Office of Sustainability fosters collaboration across the university in environmental, social, and economic flourishing. The office is a resource for the W&M community and engages students in the process of creating change in a manner intended to help them become leaders who will influence the world.
Goals
- Facilitate holistic change toward a sustainable university and world
- Create a sense of community that drives sustainable progress
- Integrate sustainability into the academics, operations, engagement, planning and culture of W&M
- Provide educational experiences and resources to faculty, students, and staff so that they may be ambassadors of change
Student Staff
Natalia Freden | Greenhouse Gas Intern
Natalia Freden (she/her) is a sophomore from Falls Church, Virginia, majoring in Public Policy and History. She's the new greenhouse gas intern with the Office of Sustainability. Natalia is interested in environmental policy, and is excited to help W&M eventually reach its carbon neutrality goal.
Public Policy Major and History Major
Class of 2025
Dorothy (Yijing) Gao | Programs and Data Student Assistant
Dorothy (she/her) is a junior from Shanghai, China. She is passionate about sustainability and is excited to assist in encouraging more peers to get involved in the great programs in Office of Sustainability. In her spare time, she enjoys watching films, traveling, and taking pictures of the beautiful natural scenery and her friends.
Economics Major and Environmental Policy Major
Class of 2024
Courtney Hand | Social Media Student Coordinator
Courtney (she/her) is a sophomore from the Monterey Bay Area in California. She is majoring in Public Policy and Environment & Sustainability. On campus, Courtney is involved in Alpha Phi Omega (a co-ed service fraternity), Alpha Chi Omega, and is on the exec team for the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) and Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL). Courtney hopes her passion and work with the Office of Sustainability will inspire a more environmentally conscious future and can’t wait to work with other passionate individuals on campus.
Public Policy Major and Environment & Sustainability Major
Class of 2025
Sophia Heilen | Campus Garden Intern
Sophia is a freshman from Haymarket, Virginia, planning on majoring in environmental science and data science. She is also on the William and Mary swim team. Sophia is excited to work with like-minded people to further the mission of the Office of Sustainability and create a more environmentally conscious community.
Environment and Sustainability Major and Data Science Major
Class of 2026
Breegan (she/her) is a sophomore from San Diego, California who's passionate about studying the various facets of environmental issues and their potential solutions. She loves spending time outdoors and can often be found snapping pics of pretty trees or doodling cute frogs. Breegan is excited to continue the Office of Sustainability's outreach to the community and work with the amazing environmental focused groups at W&M.
Biology Major and Environment and Sustainability Major
Jialu Tao | Programs & Data Student Assistant
Jialu is a junior geology major and data science minor. She spends her free time dancing and canoeing. She is excited to work with others, improve her data analysis skills, and be involved in making our community a more sustainable place.
Geology Major and Data Science Minor
Class of 2024
Katie Tognotti | Campus Garden Intern
Katie is a sophomore from Northern Virginia. Outside of class, she enjoys collecting and tending to her own plants as well as the campus garden plots, and is often outside gathering whatever random rocks and oddities she finds. Katie is thrilled to be a part of the Office of Sustainability and she hopes to help other students become more connected to the outdoors.
