This summer I went to Burlington, VT to participate in a week-long Sustainability Leadership Training at the University of Vermont. Little did I know that this training was going to have a profound impact on me both as a person and as a professional in the field of sustainability.
The entire trip was incredible. I arrived in beautiful Burlington on the Saturday before the training so that I could explore the area. Among several things I learned about Vermont and Vermonters, it was brought to my attention that Vermont banned billboards. What a smart way to showcase the beautiful scenery! It was very inspiring to see a state protect its landscape. On Sunday, I climbed Mt. Camel’s Hump with a friend. That alone was an amazing experience as it was the first mountain I’d ever conquered from the bottom up. I was reminded that patience and perseverance are huge tools for success, and that many times, we have more strength than we think we do.
When I went to the training, I thought that the peak of my trip had already happened. With very sore legs, I went to the University of Vermont (UVM) on Monday, expecting to spend all day in a closed room with no natural light, seeing one PowerPoint presentation after another. Sounds familiar? To my surprise, the group of sustainability professionals I joined was gathered in a classroom with lots of natural light and an access to a patio. The instructors were very knowledgeable and addressed practical issues such as empowering students to take action and challenges such as overcoming resistance to green initiatives, issues the attendees face daily at their institutions. Throughout the week, we received an incredible amount of helpful information and resources. We also got a lot of encouragement to persevere and were reminded of our role and impact. We met other professionals in the field, learned from several experts, visited Intervale Farms, and toured UVM and the Fleming Museum to learn about sustainability-related art exhibitions such as High Trash and EAT: The Social Life of Food. We also developed sustainability action plans to foster sustainability in our own institutions at the conclusion of the training.
But perhaps the best part of this training was that I was able to dedicate time to reflect on sustainability at St. Edward’s University: how members of the St. Ed’s community are committed to it because it is the right thing to do as members of the Holy Cross family. The university’s Strategic Plan 2015 vision states that St. Edward’s University will educate students for the opportunities and challenges of a 21st century world. How can we do that without addressing current issues of food, health, transportation, and climate change? Another aspect of sustainability is social justice, a core element of the Holy Cross education and especially important at St. Edward’s. Because of my regular interactions with many university departments, I’ve experienced this commitment to sustainability, but have never been able to conceptualize it. This training and time of reflection rekindled my enthusiasm. I came back inspired to continue to empower students to take action, to invite faculty and staff to model behavior, and to celebrate the advancements we have been making both as individuals and as a community.
-Cristina Bordin
Special Assistant to the President and Sustainability Coordinator