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
11/12/24
From Chile to Columbia: How Luksic Scholar Brenda Rain Garrido Is Redefining Sustainability Through Indigenous Practice and Economic Innovation
Although she was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Brenda Rain Garrido’s ancestry can be traced back to the southern Chilean region of Araucanía, with ties to the indigenous Mapuche people and their culture. This background has become central to Rain’s holistic approach to sustainable living.
Student Spotlights
2/9/17
An Integrated Approach to Sustainability
Sustainability Management student, Celine Lofthus Gaasrud, was attracted to the opportunity to combine courses in different areas to explore sustainability challenges from a range of perspectives. One of the tools Celine has acquired while in the program is systems thinking, which she believes useful to understand the complex feedbacks and interactions inherent in many sustainability issues.
10/19/16
How a Student Project Helped to Change JetBlue's Course
Sophia Mendelsohn is the head of sustainability at JetBlue Airlines. What began as research at Columbia University became the catalyst for improving the sustainability of an airline, as JetBlue recently forged a 10-year deal to buy 330 million gallons of jet fuel made partially from plants.
5/26/16
Engaging Sustainability Initiatives in Schools
As a Sustainability Management student at Columbia University, Jordan Chan was offered a position as a Sustainability program analyst at PepsiCo by reaching out directly to companies and people inpositions of interest - a strategy she strongly recommends to other sustainability professionals. Currently, she works as a Director of ESG and Sustainability at American Express, where she identifies opportunities to advance sustainability initiatives, and build relationships with key partners to execute projects.
4/14/16
Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground
Sustainability Management student, Ajay Ranjith Vempati, joined SUMA with a background in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Pollution Control and experience in sustainability and resource saving potential. His time at the program allowed him to gain the business communication skills to ensure his scientific understanding could be better disseminated and result in tangible action.
3/3/16
Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals
Master of Science in Sustainability Management alum Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy when he enrolled in Columbia. He is concerned by the fashion industry's lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the MSSM program because of the range of academic content areas and the multidisciplinary approach to sustainability that the program offers.