Office of Sustainability
About the Office:
The University of Maryland Office of Sustainability supports and advances environmental performance, economic prosperity and social equality through a variety of initiatives. The staff facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable policies, practices and curricula for the campus community by:
- Educating the campus community about sustainability
- Developing sustainability programming that affects student education and campus operations
- Fostering collaboration between units of the university and external resources
- Consulting with campus departments (administrative and academic) to find ways of reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainability
- Coordinating efforts to meet the goals of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment
- Measuring and reporting on campus sustainability efforts
- Providing outreach to individuals and organizations both internal and external to the University
- Supporting the University Sustainability Council
Staff:
Scott Lupin, Director
Scott is the Director of the Office of Sustainability and Associate Director for the Department of Environmental Safety. He has been with the University for 12 years where his primary focus involves the development of the campus sustainability program and environmental management. Prior to joining the university, Scott served as an Associate with Dames and Moore, an international environmental and engineering consulting firm. He has also served as an EHS Manager for Honeywell, Inc. and as a RCRA inspector and Superfund investigator for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Scott holds a Master`s degree in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Mark Stewart, Manager
Mark has been with the Office of Sustainability since its inception in 2007. He developed and leads the Chesapeake Project, Student Sustainability Advisors program, and Green Greek Challenge, among other projects. His work on integrating sustainability education into the student experience was published in the Journal of Sustainability Education and as a chapter in a book on ecological education. Mark earned his Master's degree in Higher Education Policy & Leadership from the University of Maryland where he studied the role of higher education in creating a sustainable society. Prior to attending graduate school, he taught high school earth and environmental science in Howard County, MD. Before teaching, he worked in organizational development. He holds a BS in Environmental Science, BA in Psychology, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of the environmental non-profit, Pick Up America.
Sally DeLeon, Measurement Coordinator
Sally is the Measurement Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. She manages data and progress tracking for the University’s sustainability efforts. Before joining the UMD staff Sally was an educator and environmental researcher. At Rocky Mountain Institute she co-authored a guide for colleges and universities on climate action. She worked for the University of Vermont’s Office of Sustainability while finishing her graduate research which focused on sustainable development challenges related to gemstone mining in poor countries. She also taught high school science, worked on a small organic farm, backpacked across the Cordillera Real, and biked across Alaska. Sally holds an MS in Natural Resource Planning, a BA in biology, and a BA in environmental studies. When not at work she enjoys playing outside with her daughter, travelling with her husband, and hanging out at home in Takoma Park.
Aynsley Toews, Enhancement Coordinator
Aynsley is the Sustainability Enhancement Coordinator at the Office of Sustainability. In this role, she supports existing and develops new campus green programs. Aynsley has worked in sustainability education and extension for the past 16 years in private, public and non-profit sectors. A former naturalist, Aynsley has increasingly worked on the development of action-oriented programs that encourage behavior change and the selection of sustainable alternatives. She has a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science), with a focus on climate change and a Bachelor of Education. Aynsley, an immigrant from Canada, enjoys camping, hiking, running and attending Terps football games – go Terps!
Frances Avendaño, Communications Coordinator
As the Communications Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability, Fran develops public relations materials and strategies that enhance and unify campus sustainability initiatives. Before becoming a Terp, Fran helped establish UC San Diego's Sustainability Resource Center, the Student Sustainability Collective, and The Green Initiative Fund. Fran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Economics with an emphasis on social and environmental awareness. She specializes in multi-media communications including graphic design, web, video and photography. When not at work she enjoys cycling, yoga, cooking and crafting.
History:
The Office of Sustainability was formed in the summer of 2007 following the signing of the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. The University has had a long standing commitment to environmental stewardship. However, the focus on sustainability at the University began in 2002 with the completion of the University’s Facilities Master Plan and the University’s first national sustainability conference: Beyond Compliance – Campus Greening Through Stewardship. Sustainability efforts expanded over the next four years through a variety of efforts by individuals and campus departments. In 2005 and 2007, the University joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several national higher education organizations to sponsor and host the Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conferences. In the spring of 2007, the University issued its first Campus Sustainability Report.
The Office of Sustainability is administered by the Department of Environmental Safety and reports to the Vice President of Administrative Affairs.