• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Search

Indiana University Indiana University IU

Open Search
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership
      • Past Leadership
    • Advisory Boards
    • Researchers
      • Affiliates
    • Staff
    • Vision & Mission
    • Careers
  • Who We Work With
    • Businesses and Nonprofits
    • Educators
    • Faculty
    • Local Governments
      • Resilience Cohort
      • Indiana Resilience Funding Hub
      • Beat the Heat
      • ERI Toolkit
      • Hoosier Resilience Index
      • Webinars
    • Residents
      • Hoosier Resilience Heroes
    • Students
  • Research
    • Projects
    • Publications
  • Tools & Resources
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Newsletters
  • Support Our Work
    • Individuals and Families
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact
  • Contact

Environmental Resilience Institute

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Advisory Boards
    • Researchers
    • Staff
    • Vision & Mission
    • Careers
  • Who We Work With
    • Businesses and Nonprofits
    • Educators
    • Faculty
    • Local Governments
    • Residents
    • Students
  • Research
    • Projects
    • Publications
  • Tools & Resources
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Newsletters
  • Support Our Work
    • Individuals and Families
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact
  • Search
  • Contact
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • News
  • Archive
  • 2023
  • McKinney Climate Fellows embark on climate and sustainability experiences

McKinney Climate Fellows embark on climate and sustainability experiences

By: Gillian Paxton

Friday, June 02, 2023

This summer, 40 McKinney Climate Fellows—Indiana University undergraduate and graduate students interested in climate, sustainability, and resilience career experiences—are embedding themselves within organizations across Indiana to advance planet-positive goals.

Part of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute’s McKinney Midwest Climate Project, McKinney Climate Fellows (MCF) connects IU students with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits in need of sustainability support. Entering its seventh year, the program has resulted in more than 200 student fellowships and upwards of 64,000 hours of service to the state.

This year, fellows will be leading a wide range of projects, including community climate resilience planning, habitat restoration, and clean energy adoption.

“From the student point of view, MCF is a formal, impactful way for young folks to use their knowledge and talents to make a difference in the world right here and right now,” said MCF Program Manager Elspeth Hayden. “From the other side, host organizations benefit from increased capacity on critical climate projects. ERI staff are honored to facilitate this win-win scenario.”

Before embarking on their summer experiences, fellows representing 4 IU campuses and 11 schools gathered in-person and virtually the week of May 22 for climate camp. The camp included training on communication, environmental justice, professional writing, avoiding burnout, and more. The fellows also were introduced to digital tools, such as GIS and data visualization software that may be of use to them during their placement.

“Fellows join the program from a variety of backgrounds in education level, previous professional experiences, and sector-specific training,” Hayden said. “In just a few days, climate camp levels the playing field so that all our fellows start their summer work experience on the same foot.”

This summer, 40 McKinney Climate Fellows—Indiana University undergraduate and graduate students interested in climate, sustainability, and resilience career experiences—are embedding themselves within organizations across Indiana to advance planet-positive goals.
McKinney Climate Fellows representing 4 IU campuses and 11 schools gathered in-person and virtually the week of May 22 for climate camp.

Daniela Castellanos, a climate fellow with the City of Carmel, is in her second year of a dual master’s program through the IU O’Neill School for Public and Environmental Affairs. Castellanos said climate camp was a positive experience for her, opening her mind to the best communication practices, practical tools, and other forms of support she could access during her placement.

“I really want to be that bridge that connects the community and the local government,” she said. “I want to understand their priorities and be able to help Carmel make more informed decisions in how to use resources effectively.”

About the Environmental Resilience Institute

Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute brings together a broad coalition of government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest better prepare for the challenges of environmental change. By integrating research, education, and community, ERI is working to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.

Environmental Resilience Institute resources

  • Environmental Resilience Institute Toolkit (ERIT)
  • Hoosier Resilience Index
  • Donate
  • Webinars

Additional links and resources

  • ERI INTRANET
  • GRAND CHALLENGES
Donation button to Give Now to Environmental Resilience Institute
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Indiana University

Accessibility | Privacy Notice | Copyright © 2023 The Trustees of Indiana University