Nearly 200 current students, alumni and faculty from the Masters of the Environment (MENV) program at CU Boulder came together for the second annual Alumni Engagement Day—a dynamic gathering designed to foster connections, career development and collaboration within the sustainability sector.

Held in the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex (SEEC) on CU Boulder’s campus, the event provided current and former students the opportunity to share their work in the environmental and sustainability fields, explore career paths, expand their professional networks through interactive programming and relationship building. 

"The sheer energy and breadth of impact in one space was incredible. Seeing current students starting their journeys alongside alums who are now leaders across every sector of sustainability truly reminded me of the power of the MENV network. It’s more than a degree; it’s a commitment to a collective purpose and community," said alum Jenna Batson, who serves as the outdoor water conservation coordinator on the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

The day featured seven panel discussions and three “lunch-and-learn” presentations, with alumni sharing their experiences and insights from various sectors such as environmental policy, corporate sustainability and renewable energy. They represented organizations including the Rocky Mountain Institute; Colorado Energy Office; and Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency. 

Each session was moderated by MENV faculty and staff who guided the conversations and incorporated their own expertise. 

Josh Radoff—renewable and sustainable energy specialization lead and associate teaching professor within MENV, as well as CU’s director of campus climate action, sustainability and resilience—reflected on the event, saying, “It’s great to see how successful and how broadly impactful our students are when they get out in the field. The panelists this year were a great representation of the various careers and roles in the energy and decarbonization and sustainability space.”

In addition to formal programming, current students had the opportunity to engage in one-on-one coffee chats with about 40 MENV alumni. These informal conversations allowed students to gain advice from sustainability professionals on topics such as navigating the job market and expanding their professional networks. 

Current student at MENV Stephany Correa-Diaz shared, “It was inspiring to see what MENV alumni have accomplished in their fields after finishing this program, and I really appreciated their advice, especially when I’m getting ready to graduate this spring.”

MENV Alumni Engagement Day event is co-organized by the MENV Capstone Program, led by Alice Reznickova; and the MENV Career and Professional Development program, led by Laura George; and their graduate student assistants Casey Chabot and Erin Bucchin. This allows for synergies in relevant sustainability and career-development content while ensuring students are directly involved in designing meaningful programs for their community. 

George emphasized the value of the event, stating, “Alumni Engagement Day is designed not just to support career development for students but also to give alumni an opportunity to share their work; connect with other alumni who they may not have had the chance to meet; and learn new things about emerging trends, technologies and strategies beyond their current industry. The event convenes the MENV community in a way that reminds folks that their work is part of the greater network of sustainability initiatives across Colorado and beyond. It’s energizing and encourages interconnection and collaboration across industries.”

Alumni Engagement Day highlights the MENV's commitment to preparing students and alumni for impactful careers and leadership in sustainability. Events such as this are key to keeping the MENV network informed, engaged and inspired in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape and offer a blueprint for other programs looking to build their ecosystems.