Endicott College's Environmental Justice Working Group
Endicott College
Project Overview
The Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College was established in 2023 by Sophia Gosselin-Smoske, a student at Endicott College and a Fellow in the Office of Sustainability. The group is open to the public, and is comprised of faculty, staff, students, and members of the Greater North Shore, MA community, all working together towards a common goal: promoting environmental justice initiatives on and off campus.
The working group meets regularly to discuss issues related to environmental justice, including pollution in marginalized communities, how climate change disproportionately effects these groups, and inadequate access to clean water and air. They also work to raise awareness and educate the community about these issues, hosting guest lecturers, planning events, and scheduling service trips to benefit environmental justice communities in the North Shore and beyond.
The working group has also been instrumental in promoting the integration of environmental justice into the college curriculum. They have advocated for the inclusion of more courses and programs focused on sustainability and environmental justice, and have worked with senior leadership to develop an environmental justice-centric theme for the next academic year.
Finally, the group has been active in the wider community, partnering with local sustainability organizations, such as Green Beverly, and advocating for environmental justice issues at the city and state level. Through their efforts, the group has helped build a stronger, more sustainable, and more just community on Endicott College's campus and beyond.
Overall, the Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College is a shining example of how students can lead the way towards a more sustainable and just future. Sophia's vision and leadership has been instrumental in the group's success, and she has seen this project through inception to implementation. Due to her success and determination, I am proud to nominate her for the AASHE Student Sustainability Leadership Award, and her Environmental Justice Working Group for the Racial Equity and Sustainability Collaborations Award.
Background
As Sophia Gosselin-Smoske's supervisor in the Office of Sustainability, she pitched the idea of establishing an Environmental Justice Working Group to me at the start of her tenure as a Sustainability Fellow. As an academic, she is incredibly passionate about issues that relate to environmental justice and equity. As she began to collaborate with faculty, staff, and student organizations, it became clear to her that there was a significant disconnect between Endicott College community members and the overlap between environmental and social justice. Sophia took it upon herself to volunteer her time to utilize her education in the environmental sciences and social justice to bring faculty, staff, students, and community members together to foster an environment of collective learning and understanding around these important environmental issues.
Goals
The Environmental Justice Working Group is open to the public, and is comprised of faculty, staff, students, and members of the Greater North Shore, MA community, all working together towards a common goal: promoting environmental justice initiatives on and off campus.
Implementation
See above.
Timeline
See above.
Financing
This project came from grassroots and required no financing.
Results
See above.
Lessons Learned
See above.