Student Assistants
Charles McHenry
Degree Program: Computer Engineering
Expected Graduation: Fall 2025
Focus Area: Emissions Modeling
About Charles
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: I’ve been working on an interactive model that allows users to simulate the changes in greenhouse gas emissions based on different strategies that Georgia Tech could implement.
Nicole Nuñez
Degree Program: Environmental Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Focus Area: Engagement
About Nicole
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: I’m focusing on communications with the OOS engagement team. I assist in managing our monthly newsletter, ensuring that the Georgia Tech community stays informed about upcoming events, initiatives, and sustainability updates. Additionally, I handle social media posts to spread awareness about sustainability efforts at GT, encouraging students and faculty to engage in sustainable practices and participate in events that promote environmental stewardship.
Q: What does sustainability mean to you?
A: Sustainability, to me, means caring for the Earth by making conscious decisions that benefit both the environment and its inhabitants. It’s about ensuring that our actions today don’t harm the resources and ecosystems needed for future generations. Beyond protecting the environment for people, it’s also about preserving habitats and maintaining biodiversity so that all species can thrive.
Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?
A: My favorite sustainability practice is using a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastics, and I make sure to recycle properly.
Sanam Patel
Degree Program: Industrial Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Focus Area: Engagement
About Sanam
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: I’ll be assisting with various engagement projects and cross-departmental projects.
Q: What does sustainability mean to you?
A: I think it means protecting the world for generations to come, so they can also enjoy the life we have today.
Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?
A: I love to use reusable items everyday, like my waterbottle and lunch boxes.
John Schmidt
Degree Program: Computer Science, Minor in Sustainable Cities
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Focus Area: Utilities Management
About John
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: I’ll be responsible for putting together automated data analytics to help identify inefficiencies in our heating and cooling systems, evaluating some pilot sustainability initiatives, and potentially working to improve on-campus air quality data monitoring.
Q: What does sustainability mean to you?
A: To me, in the most immediate sense, sustainability is about preventing and mitigating disastrous climate change outcomes. But in a broader sense, it’s a movement towards a more equitable, prosperous future through good stewardship of our planet’s resources.
Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?
A: Eating plant-based foods, finding inventive ways to reuse things, and celebrating climate wins.
Paige Suk
Degree Program: Environmental Engineering, Minor in Industrial Design
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Focus Area: Zero Waste & Recycling
About Paige
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: This semester, I’m assisting with coordinating student engagement activities that focus on waste management and recycling. My role includes designing new recycling signage, updating campus waste management data, and contributing to creative outreach projects that promote sustainability.
Q: What does sustainability mean to you?
A: To me, environmental sustainability is a commitment to protecting the Earth’s natural resources and treating our planet in a way that will ensure success for future generations.
Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?
A: My favorite sustainability practices that I engage in almost every day would be recycling, using reusable household products, and wearing sustainable clothing.
Carina Valdivia
Degree Program: Environmental Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Focus Area: Zero Waste & Recycling
About Carina
Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?
A: I’ll be responsible for inputting and managing data, binside education for students, and smaller miscellaneous tasks.
Q: What does sustainability mean to you?
A: Sustainability at Tech means meeting the needs of our community while also considering and working to minimize our impact.
Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?
A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is trying to buy most of my clothes second hand.
Cindy Huynh
Degree Program: Architecture
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Focus Area: Vulnerability Assessment & Resilience Plan
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