Arizona State University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Program Assistants are responsible for creating, researching, and implementing sustainability projects on Arizona State University campuses in support of ASU’s sustainability goals: Climate Neutrality, Zero Waste (solid/water waste), Principled Practice, and Active Engagement. Projects can include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency, waste reduction and outreach. Program Assistants will also assist with research, planning and preparation for events and presentations for the department. Tasks to include, (but are not limited to): data mining, proposal drafting, attending strategic planning meetings, implementation plan writing, communication and marketing, giving sustainability initiative tours; as well as tasks related to the management and work flow of a small active office. Some work may occur on any of ASU’s four campuses. The Program Assistant reports to the Director of University Sustainability Practices.

Potential University Sustainability Practices interns are asked to submit resumes and then undergo a thorough interview process. The best candidates are chosen based on matched interest levels, compatibility and needs of the department.

All University Sustainability Practices Program Assistants go through Arizona State University's orientation and take all pertinent safety classes such as “driving on the mall” for vehicle use as needed. The Program Assistants also undergo a mentoring process with the Director of University Sustainability Practices and other staff members of the department. They meet weekly to set goals and track progress with the Director of University Sustainability Practices and their supervisor.

The Director of University Sustainability Practices provides oversight to the Program Assistants as needed. Each assistant is awarded a stipend each semester in addition to receiving staff support from three full time employees in the University Sustainability Practices department.

The School of Sustainability Student Ambassador Program act as the face of the School of Sustainability by providing mentoring and support to their peers within SOS. Their job is to assist the School of Sustainability Student Services Center with student engagement and community development programs and events. They also provide one-on-one mentorship and interaction with current and incoming SOS students by helping to guide their peers by sharing their ASU experiences and sustainability knowledge. Being an Ambassador provides our student leaders with the opportunity to develop more personal relationships with staff, faculty, employers and their peer within SOS as they help grow student engagement within SOS and develop close relationships with those also interested in sustainability and an interest in helping and mentoring others. Some past programs include: Networking Mocktail, LinkedIn: What you need to know, ASU Green Game, Sustainability Broomball (students were invited to participate in broomball and then talked to the rink re: making the place more energy efficient), Arizona Recycles: Volunteer at Goodwill, 2013 Camp SOS, Fall Welcome, Family Weekend, Phoenix Career Conference, ASU Day at the Capitol, More to Explore Student Panel, New Student Orientation, New Transfer Orientation, Night of the Open Door, SOS Open House, and participate in numerous recruiting events in which area high school students visit ASU in order to learn about SOS.

Undergraduates currently in the School of Sustainability must apply for these positions. They must be at least a sophomore standing during appointment. They must have a strong desire to help and mentor others and possess strong written and oral communication skills. They must have a desire to help their peers navigate ASU and succeed in their major. Ambassadors must also have a willingness to learn and understand advising, counseling, and outreach functions for the School of Sustainability. If interested they must apply by submitting a cover letter with their name, academic level, GPA and why they would like to be an Ambassador and what they think they can contribute to the program; current sustainability involvement within and outside of SOS along with any professional or networking experience they would like us to be aware of. Prospective Ambassadors are chosen through group interview process.

All Ambassadors are required to attend formal training one week prior to classes beginning in the fall semester. It is during this time that we discuss expectations and begin developing programs for the upcoming year. The Director of Student Services also provides them with training regarding academic programs and office roles and responsibilities. Our Student Recruitment/Retention Specialist also presents and discusses strategies for recruitment events. This year we also had a presentation/learning opportunity regarding the zero waste program at ASU. The student ambassadors are also required to attend weekly leadership classes in which they are given assignments to help them become or tap into their leadership potential in order to cultivate a more student-centric community within the School of Sustainability.

This program is financed through the School of Sustainability.

Officers are voted in during Spring each year. Lead officers of various groups on campus may apply. Applicants are reviewed by the core Campus Student Sustainability Initiative's management team and vetted for relevance and overlapping campus sustainability missions. Other students are involved on a volunteer basis. The Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives (CSSI) is the leading Undergraduate Student Government organization on campus that focuses on identifying sustainability challenges and leading campus initiatives and events in order to advance ASU’s sustainability goals. CSSI works to maintain good connections with both the students and the administration of the University to provide opportunities across campus for sustainability improvements. Examples include the installation of water refill stations in the Tempe campus Memorial Union and the installation of air compressors for bicyclists to use to inflate flat tires. Events, when held by CSSI, are either fun social events or are meant to spread the word and educate students about sustainability issues. CSSI specifically leads the planning process for Sustainability Passport, Campus Sustainability Day, and Earth Week each year. https://www.facebook.com/CSSIatASU The Green Team, composed of CSSI students and other students passionate about sustainability, focuses on improving recycling at events and working towards achieving “zero waste.” Before the event takes place, they work with event planners to minimize the waste at an event and to ensure that the waste stream is recyclable. At the events, Green Team members talk to attendees to educate them about what can be recycled and to show that recycling is actually extremely simple. An accomplishment includes the Fall 2013 Family Weekend Zero Waste Initiative which diverted 98% of event waste from the landfill to composting, recycling, and TerraCycle. The Green Team focuses on small and large student run events.

Once approved, new students attend a group orientation led by a CSSI student leaders. The new students can select from the following areas of interest (projects, business administration, engagement or initiatives) then work with the student leader that manages the area. Green team members are selected from ASU's energetic, engaged students who are passionate about zero waste events.

Once approved, new students attend a group orientation led by a CSSI student leaders. The new students can select from the following areas of interest (projects, business administration, engagement or initiatives) then work with the student leader that manages the area. Green team members must attend regular update meetings, pre-event briefings and on-site training. Training is fairly minimal as their task and mission are straight forward: to advocate for recycling at major events and reduce contamination levels in the recycling and compost stream.

The Manager of Recycling provides oversight to the center as needed. Other financial support comes in the form of budget requests the Registered Student Organizations make to student government in support of their work/projects.

Zero Waste Ambassadors carry out campus engagement related to sustainability practices to reducing waste on the ASU campus by: 1. Recruiting members to be trained about ASU’s Zero Waste initiative; 2. Develop interesting, compelling means to deliver the Zero Waste message to ASU stakeholders; 3. Assure that Zero Waste Ambassadors that are knowledgeable about recycling and composting facts; 4. Participate at tailgating events, football games, basketball games, the Homecoming Block Party and other ASU events; 5. Document work done and invoices for work that was carried out; 6. Work on other projects related to ASU campus sustainability efforts, as mutually agreed.

The Zero Waste Ambassadors are selected from Arizona State University's Outlaw Comedy group that exists to gather college students together for comedy events that connect them with each other and local communities of faith.

Zero Waste Ambassadors receive guidance and instruction from the Director of University Sustainability Practices. Members must attend pre-event briefings and on-site training. Sometime transportation of recyclables and compostables is required and these logistics are covered in pre event briefings.

The Director and Manager of University Sustainability Practices provides oversight to the Zero Waste Ambassadors. The Zero Waste Ambassadors are provided with funding for 1300 hours worked during the academic year along with t-shirts, lanyard badges, water bottles and training materials for all events covered.