Stony Brook University has long been committed to sustainability. A key initiative in this effort that allows students to have an active role is the newly revamped EcoLeader Internship Program.
The program gives undergraduate students hands-on experience in sustainability efforts. The opportunity, which has been expanded to include both for-credit and paid internship opportunities through the SUNY Empire Service Corps, is designed to provide students with practical skills in data collection, outreach, event planning and social media engagement. Interns are accepted each semester and on a rolling basis.
At the forefront of this initiative is Erin Kluge, the sustainability coordinator for Stony Brook’s West Campus.
“These students are crucial in making sustainability more visible on campus,” Kluge explained. “We have three teams within the program: a data team that helps calculate emissions and track sustainability metrics, an outreach and event planning team, and a social media team that ensures our efforts are communicated effectively to the student body.”
She said Stony Brook students recognize that one of the most pressing global issues today is sustainability, which impacts the social well-being, economic stability and environmental preservation of their futures. Colleges and universities play a unique role in addressing these challenges, Kluge said, by reducing their own carbon footprints and educating students on sustainable practices that can be applied in their future careers.
The EcoLeader interns work closely with various departments, including Stony Brook’s energy management team, which focuses on energy efficiency projects, potential solar panel installations and campus-wide electrification. By engaging students in these efforts, the university not only fosters a culture of environmental responsibility but also provides interns with invaluable experience that can shape their careers in sustainability.
“At Stony Brook University, sustainability isn’t just a goal — it’s a shared responsibility that requires innovation, collaboration, and student engagement. Erin has taken student engagement at SBU to the next level,” said Tom Lanzilotta, assistant director of Energy & Sustainability. “The revamped EcoLeader Internship Program embodies this commitment by providing students with hands-on experience in sustainability initiatives that directly impact our campus and beyond.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for students to apply sustainability concepts in real-world settings,” Kluge added. “Whether they’re analyzing data to improve campus operations or organizing outreach events to educate the community, they’re gaining critical experience that will benefit them in their future careers.”
Kluge, who has a background in environmental studies and sustainability management, understands firsthand the impact that early exposure to sustainability work can have on students. “I took an environmental science class in high school, and it completely changed the way I saw the world,” she shared. “That experience led me to pursue sustainability education in higher education, where I could work alongside students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about these issues.”
During her time in graduate school in upstate New York, Kluge worked in a similar role as a sustainability graduate assistant, where she managed student interns, researched carbon offsets and contributed to STARS reporting. “That role gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how sustainability is implemented at an administrative level,” she said. “Now, in my position at Stony Brook, I’m using those experiences to create meaningful sustainability programs for students.”
In addition to managing the internship program, Kluge is leading the completion of Stony Brook’s latest STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) report, a comprehensive evaluation reviewed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The report assesses the university’s sustainability progress and identifies areas for improvement.
“Our biggest challenge is reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining campus growth,” Kluge said. “We’ve been able to keep emissions steady despite constructing new buildings, but the next step is figuring out how to actively reduce them.”
Another challenge is ensuring that sustainability efforts are widely recognized and embraced by the Stony Brook community.
“A lot of sustainability work happens under the radar, but I want students and faculty to feel more connected to these efforts and understand how they can contribute,” Kluge said.
Through initiatives like the EcoLeader program and increased climate communication efforts, she hopes to bridge the gap between behind-the-scenes sustainability projects and student engagement. Because working to reduce carbon emissions is a major focus, one initiative is a fleet electrification study to assess campus vehicles and infrastructure and determine where electric alternatives can be introduced.
“Transportation is a big part of our emissions,” she said. “By transitioning to electric vehicles and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, we can make a substantial impact on our overall carbon footprint.”
Looking ahead, Kluge aims to expand student involvement in sustainability through additional educational programs and collaborative projects with faculty and student organizations. She encourages students to explore sustainability within their own fields of interest, emphasizing that it intersects with disciplines ranging from engineering to marketing to the arts.
“There’s sustainability in almost everything,” she said. “If students start by looking at how it connects to their passions, they’ll be much more likely to stay engaged and make a real impact.”
“By equipping students with real-world skills in energy management, outreach, and data analysis, we are not only fostering environmental responsibility but also preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders,” Lanzilotta added. “Their passion and dedication will drive meaningful change, and we are proud to support them in shaping a more sustainable future.”
To further engage students, Kluge and the Office of Sustainability are working to increase the visibility of sustainability initiatives through their involvement in campus-wide events like EarthStock, Stony Brook’s annual celebration of Earth Week in mid-April.
“EarthStock is a great way to bring sustainability to the forefront and get students excited about the work we’re doing,” she said. “We’re also looking to collaborate more with student organizations and faculty to bring sustainability discussions into classrooms and extracurricular activities.”
For those interested in getting involved, Kluge recommends starting with small, everyday actions — reducing waste, using reusable water bottles and participating in campus sustainability events. She acknowledges that climate change can feel overwhelming but stresses the power of collective action. “Even small changes, when multiplied across an entire campus, can have a significant impact,” she said.
To learn more, you can visit the university’s sustainability website, follow @SBUSustainability on social media or reach out to Kluge directly.
— Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi
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