Hey RU students — especially SUST majors and minors . . .
The annual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has literally hundreds of PAID summer research fellowships in the US that you can search for and apply to. These are well-compensated and you learn a ton doing one of these fellowships as a rising junior or senior.
If you’re wondering, “Have any recent SUST majors got one of these awesome fellowships?” — the answer is yes. Here’s a cool post by Kiera Carpenter (BA in SUST ’24) who completed one of these REUs at the Chgo Botanic Garden in the summer of 2023. And check out the video she made about her research:
Roots of Resilience: a Chicago Botanic Garden original video by Kiera Carpenter (2023)
And if you want to go way, way back in time . . . SUST prof Mike Bryson did two REU fellowships as an undergrad bio major, when this NSF program was a new thing: the first at the University of Michigan’s Biological Station (1988) and the second at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1989). He can attest that both were super fun and educationally invaluable!
Want to learn more? Check out the links above, and do it NOW because application deadlines are imminent (e.g. Feb 1). And remember: you can’t get one of these awesome fellowships unless you apply!
The Great Lakes Undergraduate Internship program for 2026 offers undergraduate students the opportunity to help address issues affecting coastal communities through social and environmental conservation sciences. Through this program, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s (IISG) interns will gain knowledge and skills to support Lake Michigan coastal communities in making more informed decisions about resource management and everyday activities. These paid internships may include research, communication, or outreach activities. Applicants may also have an opportunity to participate in activities (for example, attend a professional conference) in addition to their specific internship duties.
As part of this program, IISG includes required professional development training that takes place, on average, for one hour per week, or approximately eight hours altogether. (One or more of these opportunities may take more than one hour, so in some weeks, no activities will be offered.)
Intern Positions
For 2026, up to eight intern positions are available in six topic areas: aquaculture, aquatic invasive species, green stormwater infrastructure, water resource economics, sustainable communities, and youth education.
Application materials are due by January 12, 2026. Successful applications will be notified of their acceptance by February 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET.
All interns in the IISG program will be paid $17–18 per hour and work 37.5 hours per week for a minimum of eight weeks (June 1–July 24, 2026). Additional weeks may be available at the discretion of each intern’s mentor and are noted in the position description. Occasional work during evenings or weekends may be required. Each intern will be a student employee of Purdue University or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Eligibility
Undergraduates currently enrolled in any 2- or 4-year accredited U.S. community college, college, or university are eligible.
Graduate students are not eligible.
Applicants should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have an active F-1 visa.
Previous IISG interns who have participated in the Summer Student Internship or Community Engaged Internship programs are not eligible.
Expectations
Work 37.5 hours for eight weeks.
Attend four professional development trainings.
Submit a summary of your work and project at the end of employment.
Participate in social media takeovers on Instagram.
Attend a potential gathering of the intern cohort (encouraged).
Attend weekly coffee breaks (encouraged).
Attend career panel (encouraged).
If working remotely, perform job duties during regular working hours unless otherwise arranged with the supervisor.
All interns are responsible for the cost of housing, plus transportation to and from their workplace.
Application
Applicants should submit their materials via esg.iiseagrant.org to the “2026 Great Lakes Undergraduate Internship” opportunity. Any questions should be
directed to Angela Archer, amcbride@purdue.edu. The following components should be included with your application.
Cover letter. Please tell us about yourself, why you’re interested in the overall IISG internship and specifically the projects you’re applying for, how your experiences will benefit this internship, and how this opportunity will help you with your career goals. (1–2 pages)
Curriculum vitae or resume detailing your education and work experiences. (2 pages maximum)
Copy of unofficial transcript(s).
One letter of recommendation on your behalf that can be sent directly to amcbride@purdue.edu or included in your application. Letters from family, friends, or IISG staff members will not be accepted.* (1 page maximum)
Ranked preference of the available internship positions. If applying for the aquaculture intern position, please indicate which location is your top preference.
Where or how you heard about the Great Lakes Undergraduate Internship program. (This information is used to improve future communications about IISG opportunities to interested students.)
In celebration of Campus Sustainability Month here at Roosevelt and at colleges and universities around the world, the Sustainability Studies Program @RooseveltU and RU Green student environmental organization hosted two Sustainability Career Alumni Panel sessions on Tuesday, Oct. 28th (5-6:15pm), and Thursday, Oct. 30th 12:30-1:45pm) on campus and via Zoom. Each panel discussion featured four SUST alumni sharing info about their current jobs, career pathways since graduation, the impact of their RU education on their job searches and work experiences, and advice for current students and recent grads.
Among the many valuable words of wisdom provided by our alumni panelists, one thing everyone agreed on is the importance of using networking resources liked LinkedIn to make connections, search for career opportunities, post job openings at your company or organization, and build relationships with fellow RU alumni, students, and faculty. If you’re a SUST and/or RU alum, be sure to join the SUST Alumni group as well as that for RU Alumni. Let’s keep those connections going and growing!
Tu 10/28, 5-6:15pm, WB 317 & Zoom — Alumni Panelists
Wilmarie Medina-Cortes, ’19 SUST – Associate Director of the Humanities Action Lab, Hunter College (NYC)
Tiffany Mucci-Heitman, ’16 SUST, Biology minor — Licensed Massage Therapist & Assistant Manager at The Center for Wellness & Bodywork, and Creative Writer (Joliet/Plainfield IL)
MeLissa Tate, ’18 SUST — Executive at Abbott; LEED Green Associate, Sustainability Leader & Manager, & ESG Expert (Chicago)
The Sustainability Studies Program @RooseveltU and RU Green student environmental organization will host two Sustainability Career Alumni Panel sessions on Tuesday, Oct. 28th (5-6:15pm), and Thursday, Oct. 30th 12:30-1:45pm) on campus in WB 317 and via Zoom. Each panel discussion features SUST alumni sharing info about their current jobs, career pathways since graduation, and the impact of their RU education on their job searches and work experiences. These Campus Sustainability Month events are open to all Roosevelt students, faculty, and staff — SUST majors and other alumni are particularly encouraged to attend.
Each session will feature light refreshments in WB 317 courtesy of RU Green and include informal socializing and networking. Our panelists will each speak briefly about their career tracks and current jobs, after which the audience can ask questions and engage panelists in discussion. Off-campus attendees can listen in and submit questions for the panel via Zoom video-conference (login info below).
Tu 10/28, 5-6:15pm, WB 317 & Zoom — Alumni Panelists
Wilmarie Medina-Cortes, ’19 SUST – Associate Director of the Humanities Action Lab, Hunter College (NYC)
Tiffany Mucci-Heitman, ’16 SUST, Biology minor — Licensed Massage Therapist & Assistant Manager at The Center for Wellness & Bodywork, and Creative Writer (Joliet/Plainfield IL)
RSVP and questions may be sent to Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu). For more career-related info, see Green Jobs and Sustainability Internships.
Today 8/5/25 I’m forwarding a message to anyone in higher education concerned about public health and environmental protection from Dr. Debra Rowe, President of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development. Please consider making a comment by the 8/7 and 8/11/25 deadlines noted below!
I am reaching out today to encourage all higher education faculty, [students,] and staff to help defend important air quality standards currently being slated for rollback by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-fired Power Plants. These standards were recently finished by the Biden administration and protect our climate, our communities, and our financial and physical health.
Please submit comments to the EPA now or as soon as possible, using both of these links:
These online forms provide fact sheets and bullet points to use (or you can write your own), so submitting your comments to the EPA is quick and easy. Please share this info with your networks!
Thank you for your continued support for the fight for cleaner air and a more sustainable future.
Today 6/8/25 is World Ocean Day and to mark the occasion, I’m sharing a short film created by Ryan Trotter, a young up-and-coming filmmaker and the son of my longtime Sustainability Studies at Roosevelt University faculty colleague, Michele Hoffman, who collaborated with Ryan on the project. As if that’s not cool enough, the legendary marine biologist, oceanographer, and deep sea explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle provides the voice of the ocean.
World Ocean Day catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate, working in collaboration with youth leaders and a wide range of organizations. World Ocean Day belongs to all groups and individuals, collectively, everywhere. It’s about how we can create a better future with an abundant ocean and a stable climate, by working together.
Hey, RU students! You’ve got three more days to catch the RU faculty and claim victory for this year’s Ecochallenge at Roosevelt! As of 2pm on Mon 4/28, the 16 faculty are still ahead of 19 students, 1990 to 1609 points.
Warning! This is NOT your run-of-the-mill recycling event!
Today Th 4.24 from 5-7pm in WB 418 — RU’s First-ever Drag Trash Competition and Show, the “Trashion Pageant”
This will be a historic first at Roosevelt, and if we may say so, long overdue! See the possibilities of “trash” in this one-night Project Runway-style competition. Free food! What’s not to like!? Hosted by the students of RU Green (WB 418). RSVP here on Laker Connect!
It’s Earth Week 2025, and whether you’re on or off campus, you can participate in and contribute to the sustainability of our university. “How?” you ask. Keep reading! (Upcoming events listed first; past events archived at the end of this page.)
Mon 4/21, 12:30-2pm — Mental Health Garden Planning Session: Join RU Green members & friends as they gather in the new RU Mental Health Garden (AUD Library, 10th floor) to brainstorm future plans and ideas, figure out watering schedules, and seeing who is interested in contributing to the Garden in the future. Email RU Green for more info.
Tues 4/22 Earth Day, 12:15-1:30pm — Make your own Seed-Bomb at the RU Mental Health Garden. Learn about the importance of native plants and make seed bombs with recycled materials. Free food and cool stuff! (AUD Library, 10th floor)
All day— Get outside! Take a walk . . . get some fresh air . . . listen to birdsong . . . pick up some litter . . . join an environmental demonstration . . . learn about the original Earth Day . . . do some gardening or start a nice little compost pile (you get the idea)
Tues 4/22-Mon 4/28 — One Earth Film Festival: The Midwest’s premier environmental film festival creates opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of people. It showcases top-issue, thought-provoking environmental films, leads audiences in interactive post-film discussions focused on solutions, and offers concrete actions people can take. One Earth Film Festival is a production of One Earth Collective.Click Here for the 2025 Line-Up!
Th 4/24, 5-7pm — Drag Trash Competition and Show. This will be a historic first at Roosevelt, and if we may say so, long overdue! See the possibilities of “trash” in this one-night Project Runway-style competition. Plus, free food! (WB 418)
Fri 4/25, 10am-2:45pm — Earth Week Beach Clean-Up with RU Green & the Captain Paul Watson Foundation’s IL Chapter. Come join students from RU Green & CPWF for a fun service project along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront at 18th St Beach, just south of the Adler Planetarium. Look for details here and on Laker Connect (Meeting place TBA).
Thur 5/1 & Fri 5/2, 12-3pm –RU’s Annual Green-up / Clean-up Event: We are pleased to announce this year’s Green Up / Clean Up event on both campuses (Th at Schaumburg, Fri at Chicago), which is dedicated time for the University community to connect with colleagues, clean our spaces, purge old documents and redistribute resources.
WHEN: Thursday, May 1 | Noon – 3 p.m. | Schaumburg Campus; Friday, May 2 | Noon – 3 p.m. | Chicago Campus
During Green Up Clean Up offices are encouraged to:
Spruce up their personal spaces.
Grab some snacks in AUD320 (Chicago Campus) and SCH616 (Schaumburg Campus).
Make it a Spirit Day! Wear your RU gear. Faculty and staff get a discount in the bookstore. Comfortable clothes and shoes recommended for the day.
Donate and reallocate unused office supplies (Notepads, pens, Post-Its, markers, folders, etc.). Supplies should be delivered to the The Dean of Students Office, AUD204 (Chicago). Carts outside room 126 (Schaumburg)
Purge old documents. Speed packs and secure trash bins will be available in Ida B. Wells Lounge and the Wabash Lobby to deliver documents to a Pro Shred shredder truck on Wabash Ave. Schaumburg documents should be taken to the dock. Faculty and staff are responsible for transporting their confidential documents to the trucks. Plan ahead to ensure documents can be purged on Friday between Noon and 3 p.m. Please review our document retention policies.
Recycle bins for electronics recycling will be available in the libraries on both campuses.
Donate books (Book donation bins will be provided in the libraries on both campuses)
All Month — Participate in the Earth Month 2025 EcoChallenge competition(students vs faculty/admin/staff) – Join this undeniably competitive yet somehow thoughtfully meditative tradition of RU students vs everyone else as you engage in and document your sustainability-related activities during Earth Month — and hopefully de-stress a bit while lowering your carbon footprint.
It’s super easy to sign up for either the RU Fac+Admin+Staff Team or the RU Student Team for this year’s Earth Month Ecochallenge. Yes, it’s online and requires the use of a Device. But if you’re using your phone-thing or your laptop anyway, why not take a short break from looking at silly cat videos or soul-killing doomsday news and do something more mindful and earthwise? Winners get bragging rights for the rest of the year! Ahem . . . like the students did back in 2019 when they soundly trounced the faculty. (Some profs are still trying to recover from that trauma.)
Fri 4/18 update: As of this afternoon, the RU Fac+Admin+Staff Team (16 members, 1576 points) remains in the lead and is 5th in the state of IL in average points per member (89), while the RU Student Team (19 members, 1175 points) is staying in the race. Will the faculty extend their lead in coming days, or can the students close the gap? Keep posting and stay tuned!
RU Students: create an account, join the Roosevelt University student team, choose your challenges, and get started! The small changes you make today can lay the groundwork for big changes in the future. Click here to create an account and start choosing your challenges! RU Faculty and Staff: you can get in on the action, too! Create an account, join the RU Fac+Admin+Staff team, choose your challenges, and get started!
Earth Day/Week/Month Service Opportunities & Events throughout Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) and other organizations. Check out the many events listed here in the city by C3 as well as these by Friends of the Parks. Outside of Chicago, look up your county’s Forest Preserve Earth Month calendar for service and conservation opportunities. Help clean up parklands, restore natural areas, and meet conservation-minded and nature loving sustainability nerds from across the city. Fun and rewarding in a deeply spiritual and dirt-under-your-nails kind of way!
Now until Friday, April 18, 2025 —Applications are open for RU’s new Summer 2025 Community-based Research & Environmental Justice course. RU’s Office of Student Research and Department of Law, Society, & Sustainability will support 8-10 undergrad students in a field-based 3-credit EXL research course with full tuition funding plus a small stipend for travel. That’s a pretty awesome deal for Roosevelt students seeking a gen ed, EXL, or elective class!
This hybrid course, cross-listed as POS / SOC / SUST 262, will meet on selected Fridays (9:30am-1pm) and online from June 6 – Aug 1. And if students want to take an additional course this summer to accelerate their degree completion, they can do a “two-fer” and earn 6 credits for the cost of 3.
Our community partner this summer is theSoutheast Environmental Task Force (SETF), a grassroots organization on Chicago’s Southeast Side that has advocated since the 1980s for both people and nature. SETF’s current sustainability initiatives and environmental activism focus on climate and environmental justice, pollution reduction, clean energy policy, sustainable land use, public health protection, and more.
Deadline: Application review begins April 11; final deadline is April 18.
Eligibility: Current RU undergraduates in any major; at least 15 credit hours completed at the time of application, including earning a C or better in ENG 102; minimum GPA of 2.0 overall (2.5 preferred).
Course Info: 3 credit hours of either POS, SOC, or SUST 262 Environmental Justice; counts as social science and EXL credit for CORE general education requirements as well as a major elective for POS, SOC, & SUST majors.
For more info: email Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), Chair of the Dept. of Law, Society, & Sustainability; or Dr. Laura Nussbaum-Barberena (osr@roosevelt.edu), Director of the Office of Student Research
