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Want to gain leadership experience, earn some cash, and help make Michigan Tech’s campus more sustainable? The Office of Sustainability and Resilience is hiring a Waste Reduction and Food Security Coordinator to join our collaborative and impactful team for the 26-27 academic year. We offer competitive pay starting at $15/hour, flexible hours, and professional development opportunities to help you grow personally and professionally.

While this position is for the 2026-2027 school year, we are hoping the selected candidate can get started in late March of this year to shadow the graduating coordinator.  

REQUIRED:

• Enrolled at Michigan Tech and in good academic standing 
• Available for the entire 2026-2027 academic year (summer work is possible)
• Possess a valid driver’s license(s) and a satisfactory driving record
• Demonstrated interest in sustainability and eager to learn more
• Ability to be reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently and cooperatively. 

PREFERRED

• Available to start in March, even if just for a few hours to start integrating with the office
• Summer availability would be a bonus 
• Interest in working with the office for more than one year with increasing responsibilities (and opportunities!)

Job Description: Waste Reduction and Food Security Coordinator (5-10 hours/week, academic year, some summer hours available)

If you’re detail-oriented and passionate about reducing waste and improving food security, this is your role.

• Oversee waste reduction programs including plastic film recycling and the Upcycled Food Operations program (UFO) that repurposes leftover food from the Wadsworth Dining Hall for the Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN), our on campus food pantry   
• This position requires close attention to detail, consistent managing and tracking of materials, training on food safety requirements, and coordination with other units on campus
• While materials management is a big part of this position, there is a lot of room for creativity on waste reduction and food security projects

How to apply:Fill out this brief application form (requires you to upload a resume) by February 27 – early applications are encouraged. For questions or more info, reach out to Alan Turnquist at alturnqu@mtu.edu.

Are you passionate about tackling climate change and ready to develop the skills to make a real difference? The NextGen Climate Leaders Fund offers Michigan Tech students a unique opportunity to invest in their future as climate changemakers.

What is the NextGen Climate Leaders Fund?

Thanks to a generous alumni donation, this fund supports current full-time Michigan Tech students at any academic level who want to build networks, develop competencies, and strengthen their leadership capacity around climate change solutions.

Funding Details

• Award Amount: Up to $1,000 per student
• Application Timeline: Rolling basis throughout 2025
• Remaining Funds: Approximately $4,000 available for fall applications (from a total $10,000 allocated for 2025)
• Quick Review Process: All applications reviewed within 10 business days

What Can Be Funded?

The fund offers flexibility in how you use the money, but you must demonstrate how your proposed activity will:

• Develop your leadership skills
• Build your capacity to create positive climate impact

Examples of Fundable Activities:

• Conference attendance (including spring 2026 conferences if applying this fall)
• Professional certifications in sustainability, renewable energy, or related fields
• Networking events and workshops
• Skills training programs
• Leadership development opportunities

Note: Graduate students seeking funding directly related to their research and presenting their research at conferences should first explore funding through their academic departments.

Ready to Apply?

To apply, fill out this form. 

Please reach out to Alan Turnquist, Director of Sustainability and Resilience, if you have any questions: sustainability@mtu.edu

On January 11th, Michigan Tech hosted its inaugural Zero Waste Hockey Game, achieving remarkable sustainability milestones. This initiative was a collaborative effort among MTU Athletics, Husky Eats, and the Office of Sustainability and Resilience.

By the end of the game, 188 pounds of waste were collected for recycling and composting. Notably, in the stands and suites, Husky fans contributed to diverting an impressive 98% of post-consumer food and packaging waste, resulting in only 4 pounds of waste being sent to the landfill. This success was achieved by fans diligently sorting their unwanted items into designated bins for compost, recycling, liquids, or trash.  Fans also tested their sustainable and recycling knowledge by answering trivia questions between periods and a few select fans participated in an on-ice “Tricycle Recycle” sorting game, competing for a prize. 

This event highlights the significant environmental impact achievable through community collaboration. With the active participation of fans and the dedication of over 30 game day volunteers, the Husky community created a greener game day experience. Building on this success, Michigan Tech plans to continue its waste reduction efforts and implement zero waste initiatives at future games, demonstrating the power of collective action in fostering environmental sustainability.

Are you an undergraduate student at Michigan Tech with a passion for sustainability and climate action? We invite you to apply for the fourth annual Frank Chernosky Campus Climate Ambassador Award.

This alumni-funded award is named after Frank Chernosky, a former professor and advisor at Michigan Tech.  Mr. Chernosky was an early advocate for sustainability principles who impacted many students before dying tragically from a rare form of Heart Cancer in 1971.  The award consists of three forms of student support: a partial tuition scholarship, funds for professional development and/or applied work, and a formal mentorship by campus and/or external professionals.  One recipient will be chosen annually.

The award for 2025-26 will be $9,600 – a scholarship amount of $8,000 spread over fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters, and a professional development and applied work fund of up to $1,600 to be used by August 2026. Awardees will also receive active mentorship from campus and/or external professionals to help them develop networks and skills for their future work.  The overall timetable for the award is flexible to accommodate opportunities such as a co-op or internship.  Applicants and award recipients will solidify the details on the timing of the award, as well as the nature of mentorship and professional development, through the application process and dialogue with the committee.

To be considered, an applicant must be a full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Tech with the equivalent of at least three semesters of full-time enrollment at Michigan Tech by the fall of 2025. They must also have a minimum of two semesters of coursework remaining, though there is potential for flexibility to accommodate an internship or coop into the award timeframe.

Applications are due via this Google Form by Friday, March 14, with interviews to follow. The committee will make a decision by April 11. Interested students are encouraged to draft their application early discuss their ideas with Alan Turnquist before applying: alturnqu@mtu.edu

Full details of the award and a link to the application are available in the PDF document below.

Class schedule? Check! Room assignment? Check! Room supplies? Um… Missing a few things for your room or apartment? Don’t worry, Michigan Tech’s green move-in program has you covered! 

Husky Exchange has collected donations from your fellow Huskies this past spring, and now we’re giving it all back! Stop by Wadsworth Hall to check out all the back to school supplies we have available to you. 

A sampling of things we have:

• Mini fridges
• Microwaves
• Fans
• Lamps
• Room organization and storage
• Office supplies
• Sporting goods (broomball stick, anyone?)
• Cleaning supplies
• Pool noodles (to protect ya’ noggin on those lofted beds!)

*Items available on a first come, first serve basis. All items are either free or priced low for a donation.

CASH ONLY!!!

Where: Wadsworth Hall, room G41

Opening weekend: Fri. 2-7pm, Sat. 10am – 5:30pm, Sun. 9 – 11am

Moving out but don’t have room for everything? Give it a new home with Husky Exchange!

Throughout Final Exam Week and Move-Out Weekend, MTU’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience is hosting it’s annual Husky Exchange program where students donate unwanted items that will then be redistributed to next years residents. As long as your items are clean and useful, look for the Husky Exchange logo and leave them at any of our any residence hall drop-off locations.

Welcomed Items: Pool Noodles, clothing, food, houseware, furniture, broomball sticks, small appliances, etc.

Rule of Thumb: If it’s clean and useful, leave it with Husky Exchange!

Follow @sustainablemtu on Instagram for future updates.