Meet the 2023-2024 cohort of fellows in school sustainability and IAQ

The  Center for Green Schools at USGBC is excited to announce the award recipients of the 2023-2024 Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship and the School Air Quality Fellowship. Since 2014, the Center has offered support to K-12 district-level staff from around the U.S. who are committed to leading change toward more sustainable, resource-efficient and healthy school systems through this unique fellowship program.

Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, the 11 fellows selected will benefit from peer networking and resource-sharing; professional development training; attendance at events, including the Green Schools Conference; and coaching to support individual goals.

The Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship cohort

This year's cohort is made up of individuals representing a diverse group of school systems from across the country. Collectively, they serve 539 schools and over 420,000 students, of whom an average of 13% come from families living below the poverty level.

• Ari Ettinger, climate resiliency program manager, Portland Public Schools, Oregon
• Meghan Bernard, sustainability manager, District 197, Minnesota
• Lucia Sewing Cole, assistant, Austin ISD, Texas
• Nicole Blackson, environmental specialist, School District of Palm Beach County, Florida
• Alison Ward, sustainability supervisor, Boise Public Schools, Idaho
• Kelly Moses, sustainability program manager, Denver Public Schools, Colorado

These six leaders were selected for their personal, as well as their school district's, dedication to achieving sustainable culture change. Throughout the next year, this cohort of fellows will be tackling big projects, such as establishing accountability through sustainability advisory committees and engaging teachers and students through more formal programs and communities of practice.

Additionally, these leaders will be carrying out their day-to-day tasks that contribute to reduction in resource usage, improved resilience of school sites and schoolyards, and leveraged federal and state funding for sustainability projects.

The Leaders in School Air Quality Fellowship cohort

This year's cohort is made up of individuals representing a diverse group of school systems from across the country. Collectively, they serve 750 schools and over 490,000 students, of whom an average of 17% come from families living below the poverty level.

• Brian Croyle, environmental specialist, Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
• Lauren Bolton, environmental technician, Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts
• Vikiran Kafley, environmental manager, School District of Palm Beach County, Florida
• Lindsay Rogers, environmental safety coordinator, Vancouver Public Schools, Washington
• Latanya Carter, manager of environmental compliance, Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland

Each of these five leaders and their districts have demonstrated their dedication to improving the indoor air and environmental quality within their schools. From preventing and minimizing exposure to hazardous substances (including asbestos, radon, lead and chemicals) to conducting building inspections and planning for building improvement projects, these staff play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.

Over the next year, these fellows will be launching and managing large-scale indoor air quality monitoring programs, creating district-level IAQ policies and plans, and communicating best practices with students and staff.

Learn more about the Center's fellowship programs

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