OCA Sustainability Ambassador Program
Join Our Team
Join the Sustainability Ambassadors, a team of climate communicators leading sustainability education and outreach efforts across our campus and community. As part of this program, you will help build a culture of sustainability at Rutgers and get a behind-the-scenes look at our climate action efforts.
Sustainability ambassadors will plan and implement outreach activities such as:
- Organizing events of different scales
- Tabling to engage students and community members
- Hosting the OCA podcast “Work Your Values: How to Be Sustainable in Any Career”
- Running social media campaigns
- Writing articles for the OCA newsletter and website
- Creating their own innovative project
The program runs from September 3, 2024 – May 2, 2025 and includes a $3,000 stipend.
How To Apply
More Information About the Program
Meet our Current Sustainability Ambassadors!
Luke Czerepak
Mechanical Engineering and Economics
I am Luke Czerepak, and I am studying Mechanical Engineering and Economics. I am from Franklin Lakes NJ, where we say the correct pronunciation of Taylor Ham. In my free time, I like flying drones, skydiving, and flying airplanes, and I am passionate about technology and athletics. In the future, I hope to work on cutting-edge technology to create impactful solutions that change the world.
If I had a superpower to fight climate change it would definitely be the ability to use telekinesis to pick up anything, move anything, and change the shape and state of matter of things, to clean up the pollution and dangers to all living things.
Samantha Gavina
Hello! My name is Samantha Gavina. I am Pharmacy major with a passion for sustainability. I have 4 years of small-scale research experience from high school, focusing on pharmaceutical pollution. I love to take care of my succulents and my bonsai tree, as well as practice self-care. As a sustainability ambassador, I am looking forward to learning more about the connections between climate change and my major.
I would want the superpower to communicate with animals so that I could understand the needs of endangered species and work with them to protect their habitats! It would be a powerful tool for conservation and understanding the impacts of climate change on the natural world.
Audree Grousse
I'm Audree Gousse. I am an Environmental Policy major with a passion for environmental justice and sustainability. Building on my experience interning at the Office of Climate Action, as an ambassador I am excited to advance my education and experience in sustainability while fostering community improvement. I am ready to learn the tradeoffs of sustainability and which practices are most beneficial for the Rutgers community. I believe developing skills in problem-solving, analysis, and contextualization, will help me in achieving my goal of implementing sustainable practices at both social and political levels. Outside of pursuing my career, I love to crochet, play video games, and paint.
If I could be a superhero who fights climate change, I would have the power to temporarily disable selfishness in decision making. A lot of world leaders are fighting against environmental solutions based on greed or self-service, forcing those fighting climate change to make compromises and lessen the effectiveness of their environmental solutions.
Kushaan Jain
I’m Kushaan Jain, second-year student at Rutgers University Business School with a focus on Economics and Business Analytics. Inspired by my hands-on experiences at PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, UN Foundation Climate Alliance, and PSEG Renewables and Energy Solutions, I am highly committed to the mission of sustainability in my future endeavors. I love playing soccer, biking, and collecting vinyls.
If I had one superpower to fight climate change, it would be the ability to convince everyone that addressing climate change is the number one priority for our planet.
Eugene Ko
Hi, my name is Eugene Ko and I’m a current junior studying Biological Oceanography. I’m really interested in addressing environmental issues surrounding our oceans, such as overfishing, ocean acidification, and ocean warming.
If I could possess any superpower to fight climate change, it would be the ability to poke a little hole in our troposphere to let the heat escape. I’d have to be really good at math to calculate the ideal size of the hole and the time it stays, but anything to keep temperature rise below 1.5℃, am I right?
Sofia Little
Hi, my name is Sofia Little, and I became a Student Ambassador to connect with Rutgers students and come up with ways to improve sustainability at Rutgers collectively. It’s so important to interact with students from all schools so that we all can do our part to make Rutgers a more ecologically friendly campus. This summer I interned with the Rutgers gardens farm team and during the school year I work part time at Harvest IFNH. I am an undergraduate junior majoring in Environmental Policy, institutions, and Behavior (EPIB). I am also treasurer of Rutgers Debate Union and editor-in-chief of the EPIB Trail.
If I could have a climate superpower, I would eliminate all food waste. Having worked with food a lot, seeing how much waste comes from food production and consumption is astounding!
Rigo Salvatierra
My name is Rigo Salvatierra. I am currently double majoring in Latino & Caribbean Studies and Political Science, and I am looking to pursue a doctorate degree in immigration and border security after I graduate. I decided to become a Student Ambassador in order to learn more about ways that we as college students can work towards tackling climate change, as well as exploring the rich synergy between climate action and the construction of borders. Outside of school I enjoy reading, rock climbing, and spending time with my three younger siblings.
If I could possess a superpower to help combat climate change, I would obtain the ability to build eco-friendly borders that are cognizant of animals’ migration behaviors for every country around the world.
Rafia Shahid
Engineering
I am Rafia Shahid and I am an Industrial and Systems Engineering major. I am looking forward to meeting new people and guiding fellow students to learn more about sustainability at Rutgers. I enjoy helping people and being able to bond over similar interests. In my downtime, I love photography and sleeping.
My superpower would be able to bend metal and plastic so that I can repurpose those things that would otherwise be thrown away. A lot of plastic and other pieces go to waste, but with this power I could come up with a better solution to reuse items on the spot.
Murat Turkeli
I am Murat Eren Turkeli. I am studying Industrial Engineering and Business Administration as an International Presidential Scholar from Türkiye. I am a tennis and soccer athlete, song composer, and guitar player. I love reading, exploring new places, visiting museums and art exhibits, and nature hikes. I also founded a national NGO for waged chess tournament organization for kids with SMA disease and researched AI/OI for Renewable Energy with the Rutgers Energy Lab. I want to combine my technical skills with hands-on social experience to guide and lead towards a green, safe and sustainable future.
If I could possess a superpower to fight climate change, I would choose the abilities of an Ice Maestro. With a simple whistle, I could summon the chilling winds of the Arctic, instantly restoring and expanding the ice caps and glaciers. Imagine a world where, at my command, the majestic ice mountains and pristine polar landscapes would flourish once more, ensuring a balanced climate and a healthy planet for future generations.
Madison Vorona
Hi, I am Madison Vorona. I am current senior at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences pursuing a major in Agriculture and Food Systems with a Sustainability minor. I am enthusiastic about getting individuals outside and into the natural world to grow environmental consciousness on campus. Some topics I am particularly interested in include access to green spaces, knowing where your food is coming from, and expanding ecological education across all fields of study. As a Sustainability Ambassador, I am excited to use these skills in working with a diverse team that shares the passion and determination to make a significant impact on the Rutgers community and beyond.
If I could possess any superpower to fight climate change, I would want the ability to conduct peaceful climate communication. This power would allow me to develop human relationships with the natural world while positively influencing the environment's processes and elements for a balanced coexistence.
Sustainability Ambassador Program Coordinators!
Katie Parrish
Ambassador Program Program Coordinator
Rutgers University Office of Climate Action, Program Coordinator
Jordan Warner
Ambassador Program Intern
Undergraduate Student, School of Social Work
Rutgers University–New Brunswick