Sustainability

2026 United Nations Academic Impact Workshop Photo Gallery

Over two days in New York City on April 16 and 17, the Sustainability Initiative connected with partners working on the Sustainable Development Goals across local government, the United Nations, and education sectors. The team met with staff from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations, presented at the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) workshop, and spoke at the Pratt Institute’s Research Open House at its Research Yard in Brooklyn.

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“Careers for a Changing Climate” Photo Gallery

On Feb. 22, 2026, the Sustainability Initiative teamed up with the Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) to host a career event at Phipps Conservatory. “Careers for a Changing Climate” welcomed almost 100 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to explore sustainability career paths and network with professionals across the field.

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A Network Taking Root

When the Sustainability Initiative’s Pittsburgh Intercollegiate Network for Sustainability (PINS) formally adopted its new name in August 2025, it marked more than a branding decision. It was an opportunity for continued growth, helping college students across the city find like-minded peers.

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Student Sustainability Liaison Spotlight: Hannah Hudson & Violet McCullough

We recently sat down with two liaisons to hear about their experience firsthand: Hannah Hudson, a sophomore in Biological Sciences, and Violet McCullough, a first-year student in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Both have completed the bulk of their departmental research and are now turning their focus toward synthesizing insights and developing concrete recommendations for their departments.

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Apply Now: Undergraduate Sustainability Fellowships Open

The Sustainability Initiative is pleased to partner with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development to offer five new Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships. These fellowships will fund summer research focused specifically on the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. Fellowships applications are open now, and close on Feb. 18, 2026.

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Fellow Spotlight: Wendy Wang

This past summer, the Sustainability Initiative partnered with the Office of Undergraduate Research to offer several Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships related to Sustainability. These opportunities funded summer research that focused specifically on the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. We asked Mellon College of Science sophomore Wendy Wang, one of our summer fellows, to answer a few questions about her experience.

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Fellow Spotlight: Ruoyun Xu

This past summer, the Sustainability Initiative partnered with the Office of Undergraduate Research to offer several Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships related to Sustainability. These opportunities funded summer research that focused specifically on the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals.

Related: Sustainability, Research Assistance

Meet the 2025-2026 Sustainability Interns

The Sustainability Initiative is pleased to introduce the five interns on our team in 2025-2026. Aleena Siddiqui and Ameena George are returning, and we are welcoming Egshiglen Batjargal, Imama Zahoor, and Iris Hung to the team. Read on to learn more about their backgrounds and the work they'll be doing with the Sustainability Initiative. Follow their work on Instagram @sustainablecmu or visit cmu.edu/sustainability-initiative.

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Laying the Groundwork for Change

Now, five years from 2030, the target year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), issues related to equity and justice have taken on new urgency. At this pivotal moment, Carnegie Mellon University is focused on creating Sustainable Futures. Directed by Ambassador Sarah E. Mendelson, Distinguished Service Professor of Public Policy, and supported by Dean Keith Webster and Associate Dean Sayeed Choudhury, Sustainable Futures is designed to re-imagine global development and help democracies deliver for all.

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