About the program:

Sustainability Scholars address critical sustainability issues through real-world, immersive summer projects. Working anywhere from skyscrapers in Charlotte to community gardens in food deserts, students integrate problem-solving skills through a wide range of community-based projects. Students also live cooperatively in the Eco-House, attend weekly reflection meetings, and participate in enrichment workshops lead by sustainability practitioners.

Details:

• Students receive a $3,000 stipend and on-campus housing for the duration of the program
• Placements are with non-profit, for-profit, and government organizations
• 8 Scholars will be selected
• The program runs from the beginning of June to the beginning of August

**Summer 2013 Applications will be available at the beginning of spring semester.**
Email aldulin@davidson.edu for more information.

Summer 2012 Projects

• Created a plan for the City of Charlotte to implement an electric vehicles program
• Designed a sustainability village on behalf of the Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention
• Supported social entrepreneurial hub Packard Place in its goal to make the facility a living museum
• Worked to make healthy, sustainable food more accessible and affordable to low- income communities through community gardens and food stamp programs
• Launched a clean construction campaign with a local advocacy non-profit
• Utilized GIS to map sustainability features in Charlotte for use by Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte
• Analyzed Bank of America's role and plan for a public-private energy reduction goal and explored the company's commitment to growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations

Sustainability Scholars travel to Kentucky to learn about mountain top removal and Appalachian culture

Sharing Perspectives

Students are placed with community partners across many different sectors: corporate, government, and non-profit. They constantly shared insights on the opportunities and challenges unique their organization and sector with the student group. Their multiple perspectives fueled debated and discussion around the roles of these sectors, and through their cumulative experiences the students explored how effective change efforts happened in this region.

Engaged Living

In educational institutions and in the workplace we too often forget to value the skills necessary to create a healthy community. Therefore, students lived intentionally with their group in the Eco-House and practiced the skills necessary to build an inclusive community, constructively challenge each others' worldviews, achieve deep levels of trust, and inspire creativity. This is not easy; building community may in fact be the hardest thing we ever do as humans. However, by practicing daily we can grow as compassionate and collaborative leaders, friends, and family members. And if we are going to build a more just and sustainable world-and work toward systemic change-it seems fitting to practice these values systemically in our own lives as well.

Beyond the Nine-week Experience

The immersive project, coupled with extensive enrichment activities, are designed to transform students academically, professionally and personally, and ultimately, to provide the tools for students to translate their Davidson experience into a career with social impact.

Sustainability Scholars meet with Mayor Anthony Foxx to discuss policy and change making in Charlotte

Enrichment activities for Summer 2012 included:

• Weekly peer-facilitated reflection meetings focused on exploring interpersonal relationships, worldviews, and personal challenges and successes
• Weekly community dinners
• Career panel and discussion
• Résumé workshop
• Meeting with Mayor Anthony Foxx '93
• Three-day trip to Kentucky to learn about mountain top removal and socioeconomic inequalities in Appalachia
• Lunch with City Councilman John Autry, Environment Committee chair
• Smart growth and transportation workshop with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department
• Meeting with Duke Energy Sustainability Director
  Tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Landfill and recycling center
• Workshop on local water issues with Catawba Riverkeepers

  To learn more about the experience, check out the 2012 Sustainability Scholars' Blog.