Sustainability Studies

Congratulations to our 2025 graduates!

• Alumni Spotlight: Maria Martinez

  BA ’13 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Majors: Sustainability Studies and Political Science)

   

  Maria leads Breakthrough Energy’s clean fuels portfolio and provides policy and advocacy expertise to advance the drive towards a net-zero economy. Prior to joining Gates Ventures and Breakthrough Energy, Maria served as Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) where she led in the planning, development, and execution of agency policy. While at DEEP, she oversaw implementation of an Executive Order which expanded the scope of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) to address climate change mitigation and adaptation in the state. Before DEEP, Maria worked in the Washington D.C. office of the Natural Resources Defense Council on international climate policy and cross-programmatic strategy.

  Maria holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Yale University and a B.A. in Sustainability Studies and Political Science from the University of Florida. While at UF she was actively engaged with the College Democrats, the Office of Sustainability, and Gators Going Green, where she planned the annual Student Sustainability Summit. She interned with the Alachua County Commission, was Sustainability Coordinator for the Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership & Sustainability (YELS) Program and served as undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Thiele.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Timothy Fitzwilliam

  BA ’12 Liberal Arts and Science (Major Sustainability Studies)

  Timothy graduated in 2012 with a major in Sustainability Studies, after interning at Swallowtail Farm and Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery. Marrying a women he met in his travels in Switzerland, he moved there in 2014 and became a father. Although it took some time to learn the language and adjust to a new a country, Timothy is feeling integrated and at home now in Switzerland, where he is an active member of a local environmental group that turns conventional farm land into habitat for wildlife through the construction of ponds, the planting of native hedges and trees, and the removal of nutrient rich topsoil – allowing native groundcovers to thrive. Timothy is a Train Traffic Controller at the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). Additionally, he works as a meditation teacher and Life-Coach and serves as the Treasurer for ManKindProject Switzerland.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Rebekah Foster

  BA ’15 Liberal Arts & Sciences (Major: Sustainability Studies and Women’s Studies)

  Rebekah graduated from the University of Florida in 2015 with degrees in Sustainability Studies & Women’s Studies. During her time as a student she was a volunteer at the Rural Women’s Health Project, an environmental education intern at the Tuscawilla Prairie Learning Center and a teaching assistant for courses in sustainability & social entrepreneurship. Since graduating, she has worked as an environmental educator in a variety of settings. She has led middle school students on backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail, taught stream ecology to elementary school students at a nature center in Georgia and led coastal hikes for high school students on the shores of the Pacific.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Kelsey Grantzer

  BS ’14 Liberal Arts & Sciences (Major: Sustainability Studies), BA ’14 College of Journalism and Mass Communications (Major: Journalism)

  Kelsey graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with bachelor’s degrees in Sustainability Studies and Journalism. During her time at UF, she worked as a freelance journalist and photographer, often covering stories about solar energy, composting and other environmental topics. She also interned with UF’s Sustainability Studies department and with Holbrook Travel, where she helped promote ecotourism and educational environmental studies trips.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Jonathan Davis

  BA ’12 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Major: Sustainability Studies), BS Warrington College of Business (Major: Accounting)

  

  Jonathan Davis graduated from UF in 2012 with a BA in Sustainability Studies and a BS in Accounting. While at Florida, Jonathan interned with the consulting firm Carbon Solutions, serving as a research assistant to the Gainesville-based firm that specializes in carbon accounting and management. Prior to studying abroad in Argentina, Jonathan sat on the board of UF Hillel, served as an editor for the Fisher School of Accounting Newspaper, and participated in the United Way’s Alternative Spring Break.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Loren Parra

  BA ’12 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Majors: Sustainability Studies and Political Science)

  Loren graduated from UF in December 2012, with a Dual Degree in Sustainability Studies and Political Science. Shortly after, she moved to Tallahassee, FL and was a full-time staff intern for Miami Representative Rodriguez, Deputy Whip to the Democratic Party, throughout the 2013 legislative session.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Winter

  BA ’13 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Majors: Sustainability Studies and Political Science)

  Jennifer Winter graduated from UF in Spring 2013 with degrees in Sustainability Studies and Political Science. During her time at UF, Jennifer was a marketing and communications intern for We Are Neutral and was also involved with I.D.E.A.S. for UF, where she helped work on obtaining a green fee on campus.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Nazmi Ahmed

  BA ’16 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Major: Sustainability Studies)

  Nazmi Ahmed graduated from UF in spring 2016 with a degree in Sustainability Studies and a minor in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Justin Fisch

  BA ’12 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Major: Sustainability Studies)

  Justin graduated with a major in Sustainability Studies from UF in Spring 2012. His UF Sustainability education quickly paid off in law school, landing him a Associate Editorship with the McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy.

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• Alumni Spotlight: Chloe Bennett

  BA ’17 Liberal Arts and Sciences (Majors: Sustainability Studies and Political Science)

  Chloe recently graduated from the University of Florida with two B.A. degrees in Political Science and Sustainability Studies. During her time at UF Chloe volunteered with many groups and took classes outside her majors, trying to find the right career fit.

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