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SUSTAIN Scholar Program

SUSTAIN is a new USDA opportunity to Support Undergraduate Sustainable Technology and Agricultural Needs. This is a valuable opportunity to engage in an experiential learning program which focuses on creating solutions to current issues in food production or sustainable urban systems. The program will include the integration of environmental science, societal concerns and technology. All majors are encouraged to apply as successful sustainability initiatives require input from business, education, psychology, engineering, biology and many other fields. The SUSTAIN program includes involvement in a spring 2020 hybrid course on sustainability and summer on-line curriculum in renewable energy as part of the program. During spring 2020 students will work collaboratively on Fridays in mentoring activities and designing and implementing a solution to a real-world problem. The program also involves a paid summer internship for 6-8 weeks at a local agency, non-profit or company that is of interest to each particular student. Students will be expected to be engaged in the program on Fridays during spring 2020 and have 6-8 weeks of the summer free for both the internship and the online course. Students will also present findings at a meeting in fall of 2019 or the following spring (travel covered).

Benefits:

  • Making connections which can assist in advancing your career or education.
  • Hands-on project and professional development for graduate school or the workforce.
  • Presentation of work at either the UHD Graduate and Student Internship Fair or the UHD Student Research Conference and potentially at one additional local/national conference. 
  • Experience working closely with a faculty member on a project.
  • Participation/presentations in collaborative group meetings to share and discuss findings.
  • Completion of coursework toward a Minor in Sustainability.
  • Spring 2020 stipend of $500.
  • Summer 2020 stipend of $2500.

Requirements:

  • Minimum of 30 credit hours of college work completed by December of 2018. 
  • UHD GPA of 3.0 or greater recommended, but not required.  If GPA is below 3.0 applicants may address why they should still be considered in their essay.  (ie. What qualities do you have that would make you a great addition? What special circumstances, such as working full time, have resulted in a GPA below 3.0?)
  • Must sign up for spring and summer curriculum (courses) that will be associated with this program.  The spring hybrid 2020 course is SUST 3302, Fundamentals of Sustainability, Tuesdays from 1-2:15 PM.  Summer online course SUST 3301 Renewable Energy Systems.
  • Must not be graduating before end of summer 2020.
  • Must be able to dedicate most Fridays from 9 AM - 4 PM during the spring 2020 semester and 6-8 weeks of the summer for the internship.
  • Citizenship or permanent residency is required for one of the USDA-funded program spots.  The CUAS does have a small amount of funds to sponsor a couple of international students.
  • Students from all areas of the university are encouraged to apply.