Shaping a sustainable future: ASU's pioneering program students transform environmental education

As an institution, Arizona State University prioritizes looking to the future and addressing tomorrow’s problems using today’s innovation. One of the many ways that ASU students are changing the world is through sustainability efforts, an “integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding interactions between people and the environment.” 

ASU was the first university to open a sustainability school in the United States, announcing its groundbreaking program in 2006. Since its conception, the School of Sustainability has grown into a distinguished unit of the larger College of Global Futures, nurturing remarkable students on their journey through higher education. 

Jonna Urban, a recent ASU graduate, minored in sustainability and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Earth and environmental studies and a Bachelor of Science in geographic information science through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Urban shared what first motivated her to pursue sustainability as a field of study. 

“At my high school, we had an ASU representative come in, talk about sustainability and describe what it is and how important it is for the future,” Urban said. “I gravitated toward it because I wanted to help the Earth as a whole and enact positive change.”

When Urban first interacted with fellow students on similarly future-focused major tracks, she was instantly met with open arms. 

“As I got into school, the group of people I was around was very supportive, ambitious and reliable,” Urban said. “They helped me to become the student and person I am today. They are all so involved, and that motivates me to create positive change.” 

During her time at ASU, Urban interacted with numerous positions across the sustainability field, learning more about the depth of her degree with each new role. 

As an undergraduate, Urban first worked as a volunteer for the Desert Ecology Research Team lab, where she was introduced to sustainability research focused on dry lands and how certain ecosystems are growing in response to climate change. 

“I worked with doctoral and master's students on their work, which opened me up to the world of ecology research,” Urban said. 

Following that role, Urban became an intern for the Salt River Project, a community-based, non-profit organization that provides “reliable, affordable and sustainable water and energy to more than 2 million people in central Arizona.”

“I worked in water rights, which led me into the field of water sustainability and showed me the importance of that work, especially in the southwest,” Urban said. 

Since then, Urban has moved into more data-centered roles, first as a research aide at NEON Biorepository where she highlighted diversity in specimens within data collection. 

“Now, I am a data analyst at the Center for the Future of Arizona,” Urban said. “They are a non-profit, non-partisan organization that creates informational reports for communities, politicians and the general public that focus on voter agenda issues like education, health, civic engagement and more.” 

Sustainability as an up-and-coming field is highly adaptable and relevant across various other positions. Urban commended this versatility and how it impacted her experience as a student. 

“I focused on trying to find different opportunities in different areas because I didn't know what I wanted to do,” Urban said. “Being able to branch out and try new things, even though you may not have the skill set before you go into that position, is great.” 

Urban also noted the potentially overwhelming side effects of studying sustainability, a field so heavily influenced by the future and people around you. Regardless, she encouraged students interested in sustainability to persevere on their path. 

“When I was in these classes, I thought, ‘There's so much in this world that needs to be fixed,’” Urban said. “That big mountain of things that need to be accomplished is kind of daunting, but being able to pick a certain sector that you can focus on really helped me overcome that worry.” 

When asked about the community at ASU specifically, Urban raved about the connections she made, inside and outside the classroom. 

“I have so much appreciation for the connections I've made at ASU,” Urban said. “The sustainability community is so open. They're the ones that motivate me. They're the ones who inspire me.” 

Not only has ASU served as a model for connecting students with the School of Sustainability itself, but the university at large has made a commitment to sustainability by thoroughly and publicly stating its goals. 

These goals include the following: creating a Circular Resource System, staying climate-positive, encouraging collaborative action, promoting community success, fostering food reconnection, optimizing water use, nurturing personal action and ensuring climate resilience. 

Urban gave advice to future sustainability students just getting started on their journey at ASU.  

“Get involved, and don’t just go to classes,” Urban said. “Go to club meetings, speeches, and social events. The School of Sustainability has so many gatherings, and it's important to go out and make connections.”