In the early months of the 2025 fall semester, I logged into my Gmail on a random weekday and saw a glowing message awaiting me: Miami University’s Climate Action and Sustainability Council (CASC) was looking for students to self-nominate and apply for membership with the Student Engagement Working Group (SEWG). I’ve never clicked on an email faster; I had been on the hunt for ways to get engaged with campus sustainability efforts, and here was an opportunity staring me right in the face.
A couple of days later, I received an invitation to meet with Alex Miller, Miami’s sustainability engagement coordinator and co-chair of the CASC Student Engagement and Faculty and Staff Engagement groups. Miller describes her position as a direct result of the Miami 2040 Plan, and she works alongside the Armstrong Student Center, Office of Sustainability, Government Relations Network and the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability to engage the Miami community in sustainability and climate action using a campus and community-wide lens.
After my first meeting with Miller, I learned that the SEWG has an important role in campus sustainability. In our monthly meetings, we discuss what Miller refers to as “planning events, reaching new stakeholders on campus, awareness campaigns, bridging educational gaps and brainstorming ways to solve problems or start new initiatives.”
One of the biggest tasks that our group has ever worked on was the Sustainability Literacy and Culture Assessment, launched in spring 2025, which evaluates students’ perspectives on sustainability. While I was not a member at that time, my group recognized the year-round importance of this assessment. My working group helps us make informed decisions on the best outreach efforts.
Information and advocacy are the main principles of environmental issues. With the escalation of artificial intelligence, increased rollbacks on environmental protections and general anxiety surrounding the well-being of the Earth, I know there is no better time to speak up than now. I absolutely love getting to touch base with my team each month, reading about all of our fun upcoming campus opportunities and brainstorming ways to get students and staff to care about what we do.
If you’re interested in environmental advocacy and making an impact, take a look at what Miami has to offer. We have a plethora of opportunities every semester.
Miller says that “seeing the drive and commitment to how much our students care about our environment and the community is always so rewarding.” She says her favorite events are Earth Week in April and Campus Sustainability Week in October.
These initiatives also serve as a great space to meet new people, learn about organizations you may not know about and take a break from academic stress.
Remember that a single individual’s actions can make a difference. Learn about what’s going on in your communities and take leadership roles — whether it is through collective action, advocacy or student groups — to encourage better environmental stewardship.
Keep your eyes peeled for the 2026-2027 self-nomination form this fall. Miller said the working group will review submissions and select members. She asks that students continue their membership for the entire academic year.
Jada Rogers is a sophomore studying political science with a co-major in environmental science. She is a writer for the Opinion section of The Student and a member of the Miami Striders and Paws for a Cause.
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