STU Alumna Lauren MacDonald is the New Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Lauren MacDonald, BA '19, developed a passion for environmental sustainability while she was a student at St. Thomas. Now, she has returned to her alma mater to contribute to STU’s climate change action plan as the university’s Campus Sustainability Coordinator.
“Universities are in a unique position to promote sustainability and combat the pollution that is overheating the planet because not only are they places of learning, but they are also hubs of innovation, economic growth, and societal progress,” she said. “By leading research in solutions, sharing knowledge, and making tangible changes, universities can set the stage for a greener future.”
Today’s generation of students are also very environmentally conscious, and MacDonald said developing a climate action plan lines up with these values.
“Students today care about protecting their communities, and they are choosing schools that feel the same way,” MacDonald added. “Being eco-friendly isn't just a nice bonus—it's a competitive edge. Plus, with more 'green jobs' on the horizon, universities need to prep students for a job market that is leaning towards sustainability.”
St. Thomas University recently received funding from the Province of New Brunswick’s NB Environmental Trust Fund to conduct a sustainability audit of campus. This is an important initial step to establishing an updated baseline that will inform the development of a climate action plan for campus.
MacDonald will be responsible for planning and facilitating the sustainability audit; engaging students, faculty, and staff in the audit process; networking with other universities to identify best practices; creating experiential learning opportunities for students; and seeking funding for subsequent phases of the action plan’s development and implementation.
She previously worked as a Sustainability Officer at McGill and as an Impact Coordinator and Sustainable Development Goals Project Assistant for PHIL, an organization that develops and implements strategies for social mission organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from STU and a Master of Arts in Global Governance with a specialty in Climate Governance from the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
“The sustainability audit will help us establish a starting point for STU,” MacDonald said. “The work happening for sustainability and climate action at STU needs ongoing support, not just one-time efforts. Setting goals and measurable targets through a climate action plan helps us figure out what we are aiming for and lets us be ambitious while staying practical.”