USD-Magazine-Summer-2023

Sustainability summit teaches no idea is too small give a presentation on the university’s Climate Action [fluidity] SAVING THE WORLD TOGETHER O by Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA) ne student says, “This is a clothespin. It’s really great for pinning clothes

Garcia considers herself a quiet student, which made navigating high school a challenge. San Marcos High is the biggest high school in the county, with an average graduating class of more than 800 students. She says the school had a reputation of providing leadership opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds. But it was meeting Escobar that put her on a course for postsecondary success. “Jessica was one of the first students I met when I came to San Marcos,” Escobar says. “She stood out to me as a motivated leader who wanted to go places.” Escobar recognized Garcia as an ideal candidate to apply for the Reality Changers College Apps Academy, a City of San Diego program intended to help first generation students get into two- and four-year institutions, through college life preparation and maximizing financial aid options. The academy was founded by Chris Yanov ’03 (MA), a USD Alumni Honors recipient in 2010. “It meant the world to me that someone was willing to get to know me and advocate for why I would be able to succeed in a college system,” Garcia says. Following graduation, Garcia and Escobar remained in contact. As her educational track moved toward a focus in school counseling, Escobar brought up the opportunity for her to return to her alma mater. Garcia met with all eight counselors at San Marcos High. “Everybody loved that she was our student and now an alumna,” Escobar says. “Right off the bat, she had a certain poise and charisma. Everyone wanted to have her back.” For Garcia, it was a special feeling to return home. “I have always wanted to give back here in North County in the same way that support was given to me.”

“I hope students’ takeaway is that their time and effort don’t go unnoticed,” says Flores. Students had the opportunity to apply to become a part of the Design Lab, a collaboration between the Environmental Integration Lab and the Changemaker Hub. “We’re approaching this in a mindful, intentional and genuine way for students to gain agency around what they can do to be a part of change,” says Director of Social Change and Student Engagement of the Changemaker Hub Juan Carlos Rivas, PhD. Those who attended all sessions qualified to receive a $1,000 stipend for their time and efforts. In total, the Design Lab selected 15 motivated students to join their team and continue cultivating ideas that could be included in the Climate Action Plan.

Plan. Afterward, students were asked to choose between four topics — water and land, food, transportation or consumerism — and come up with ideas for projects that could become a part of the Climate Action Plan and help the campus continue to grow even more sustainable. Flores was one of several students who was trained to facilitate the breakout sessions. She oversaw the topic of consumerism. “Every individual step we take toward making and creating sustainable solutions will not only implement change on our campus, but will also change the greater society as a whole,” she says. Students broke up into teams of four to co-create ideas. They then were asked to step back and select the idea they felt should be sent on to the administration and considered as part of the Climate Action Plan.

but it’s also good for finger hats.” Another responds, “That’s right, Sam!” with the timbre of a game show host. “This is also a great hair accessory for when your hair gets in your face!” A classroom of 22 students toss several clothespins back and forth, saying, “That’s right, Sam!” and then pitching brilliant and quirky ways that an everyday clothespin can be used. Sound a bit silly? Sure. But this game of “That’s Right, Sam!” is a way to promote fluid thinking in a group brainstorming session and to show that any idea, no were a part of the inaugural Student Sustainability Summit coordinated by USD’s Office of Sustainability and supported by the Changemaker Hub and Environmental Integration Lab. The event was not only the first ever of its kind at USD, it was also student led. “Sustainability should be important to students because we’re supposed to be the Changemakers of the future generations to come,” says Mahlia Flores, a junior and a marketing and communications assistant for the Office of Sustainability. The Student Sustainability Summit — which was made up of 70 students — listened to Director of Sustainability John Alejandro and Sustainability Coordinator Savannah Robledo matter how strange it may sound, is worth sharing. These ideation sessions

sandiego.edu/summit23

KELSEY GREY

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Summer 2023