STUDENT COMMUNITY
The M.S. in Sustainability Management program’s students represent a cross-section of the industries and organizations currently incorporating sustainable initiatives into their day-to-day operations as well as those who are looking to make a career switch. The program’s students are dedicated not only to mastering the theory and science of sustainability, they are passionate about putting their education into practice.
Student Groups
Fellow and Scholar Spotlights
9/12/25
Rooted in Community, Rising in Purpose
Lailah Hall is a Columbia HBCU Fellow and recent graduate of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management (SUMA) program. As a 2024 graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Lailah earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and left a remarkable legacy of community engagement and leadership.
1/28/25
Columbia SPS CUNY Fellow Leads the Charge for Environmental Justice in Her Community and Beyond
Marileidy Pimentel Paniagua is a Columbia SPS CUNY Fellow, M.S. in Sustainability Management student, and bilingual community organizer at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. A proud CUNY graduate, she earned her B.S. in earth and atmospheric sciences from CCNY after beginning at Bronx Community College. Now, through the inaugural SPS CUNY Fellowship—which provides full tuition for high-achieving CUNY grads—she’s building skills to amplify her advocacy for environmental justice and sustainable change. In this interview, Pimentel shares what drives her passion and commitment to grassroots climate action.
12/2/24
How One Sustainability Management Student Wants to Make an Impact on Environmental Policy in Chile
Roberto Beltrán Sáez, a trailblazing sustainability student from Chile, is on a mission to transform environmental policy. As one of the first Luksic Scholars in Columbia’s Sustainability Management program, he combines his background in acoustic engineering with a deep passion for protecting nature. Growing up in Chile’s Araucanía region and studying in an environmentally challenged city, he saw firsthand the struggle between industrial growth and conservation. Now, he’s determined to drive real change in the public sector.
Student Spotlights
6/18/25
Stepping Beyond Our Comfort Zones to Make a Difference
Immanuel Deo, a student in the SUMA program, was recently honored with the Leadership and Community Stewardship Award. Originally from Indonesia, his passion for sustainability is shaped by the environmental and social challenges of his home country.
5/14/25
Bridging Continents for Climate Action
Benedicto Anggita Prayoga Saragih, known as Baps to friends, is in his final semester of the SUMA program. Originally from Indonesia, he holds a bachelor’s in environmental engineering from the Bandung Institute of Technology and has worked as both a field engineer and a commercial banker. Last fall, he presented research on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) at the Indonesian International Sustainability Forum, highlighting its role in Indonesia’s decarbonization efforts.
1/16/25
Van Life in NYC: A Sustainability Management Student’s Unique Living Experience
Gerardo Rios Garcia is an international student from Mexico City, Mexico, he highlights how he combined his love for travel with practicality when converting a van into his new home in New York City. Garcia also details how his academic and professional experience have shaped his outlook on his future career in sustainability.
1/7/25
Student Spotlight: A Journey of Peace, Sustainability, and Learning in Hiroshima
Ellie Hislop, Final Semester Sustainability Management Master’s Candidate, School of Professional Studies highlights the academic and personal growth found whilst participating in the Clinic on Conflict and Collaboration in Natural Resource Management: Advancing Positive Peace and the SDGs. An intensive two-week program hosted in Japan by Hiroshima University in partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Hislop details how the trip taught her no matter the scale, the work on sustainability starts with action.
12/3/24
This Grad Student Is Taking His Own Advice: 'Work Hard, Dream Big, and Be Ready'
Gerardo Rios Garcia is an international student from Mexico City, Mexico, he is a final semester Sustainability Management student in Columbia School of Professional Studies. Garcia highlights in the article how he maximized his time as a Columbia graduate student in and out of class. He details initial attractions to sustainability, city recommendations, post graduate plans and much more!