Leadership Programs

About

During the spring semester, the Office of Sustainability conducts three leadership programs designed to engage GU students, employees, and the Spokane community on sustainability and the impacts of climate change on our community. These programs are Student Sustainability Leadership (SSLP), Employee Sustainability Ambassadorship (ESA), and the Spokane Resiliency Academy (RA).

Program participants will increase knowledge on sustainability topics through critical thinking activities, influential guest speakers, informative presentations, and community building activities. Topics include environmental justice, waste reduction, urban development, water conservation, energy efficiency, food and agriculture.

All programs are facilitated by the Sustainability and Resilience Program Coordinator, an Americorps member in the Office of Sustainability.

Program participants will hear from guest speakers that could include the following community partners:

  • Avista
  • City of Spokane
  • River City Youth Ops
  • Roast House
  • Spokane Conservation District
  • Spokane Riverkeeper
  • Urbanova
  • Your Friends Farm

For GU Students

Background

The Student Sustainability Leadership Program (SSLP) is a semester-long, zero-credit internship that equips students to lead sustainable lives and be ambassadors for sustainability at Gonzaga. This is accomplished through four methods:

  1. Engagement with six timely topics around sustainability.
  2. Interaction with local, influential guest speakers.
  3. Completion of a group project directly impacting Gonzaga’s sustainability.
  4. Participation in community volunteer events and site tours. 

Previous group projects include:

  • Completing the initial steps of the Arbor Foundation’s tree campus certification (2023).
  • Xeriscaping the back lawn of Office of Sustainability (2022).
  • Educating students on sustainable agriculture through an interactive farm tour (2022).
  • Creating a Green Event Certification Plan for Gonzaga events (2021).
  • Instigating the application to the Bike Friendly University (2021).

Get Involved

SSLP meets weekly during the spring semester from mid-January to the end of April. Applications for the 2024 SSLP program will open in mid-October and will be linked below.

For GU Employees

Background

The Employee Sustainability Ambassadorship (ESA) is a semester-long leadership program that enables GU employees to lead sustainable professional and personal lives and be ambassadors for sustainability at Gonzaga. Participants of ESA will increase their knowledge of sustainability practices and learn what Washington State, Spokane, and Gonzaga are doing to create a sustainable future.

Get involved

ESA meets weekly during the spring semester from mid-January to the end of April. Applications for the 2024 ESA program will open in mid-October and will be linked below.

For the Spokane Community

About

The Spokane Resiliency Academy (RA) is a cost-free, 15-week program that equips members of the Spokane community with the essential skills and tools to lead sustainable lives and discover local sustainability engagement opportunities. Participants of RA will increase their knowledge on environmentally conscious practices and learn what Washington State and Spokane are doing to create a sustainable future.

Get Involved

RA meets weekly from mid-January to the end of April. Applications for the 2024 RA program will open in mid-October and will be linked below.