We're pleased to introduce you to Anna Madden, junior English: Text, Business Writing and Digital Studies major and Sustainability Institute intern. This semester Anna is interviewing members of our sustainable learning community to learn more about their efforts to make tangible impact on campus, and beyond! Anna is writing and publishing these stories on our blog this fall. Keep an eye out for her stories here and on our social media accounts. We recently caught up with Anna to learn more about her experience.
UNHSI: Have you always been interested in sustainability?
ANNA: My interest in sustainability developed my freshman year when I took a discovery class called Business for People, Planet, and Profit. The course was very informative for me, as it focused on ways businesses could become more sustainable. Until that point, I’d never understood how broad the scope of sustainability is, or how it can be applied to personal and professional experiences. What I've discovered since then, is that sustainability relates to a variety of factors, demonstrating the importance of multi-discipline collaboration. For instance, during the class, I learned about ethical supply chain tracking, which assesses the production methods and distribution of for-sale items. The concept focuses on evaluating whether fair labor practices are being used, as well potential ways to reduce waste in the manufacturing process. Seeing how the different aspects of supply chains connected showed me how sustainability can affect a wide range of activities.
UNHSI: What motivated you to get involved at UNH or learn more?
Anna Madden '24
ANNA: This spring, I had to the opportunity to visit the Sustainability Institute. Learning about the work done at the Institute was inspiring, especially since I was able to see how it impacted various organizations on campus. For example, the Cat Trax bike share, a collaboration between the Institute and its campus and community partners, worked to provide accessible transportation for students. Discovering all the initiatives the Institute was part of showed me ways I could get involved.
UNHSI: Why did you apply to the internship?
ANNA: Originally, I was interested in participating in Semester in the City or the B Impact Clinic, but then I learned of the opportunity to intern for the communication team at the Institute. I felt that it would be a great way to highlight some of the work being accomplished on campus and in the community, as well as expand my writing experience.
UNHSI: What do you hope to accomplish this semester?
ANNA: This semester, I’m hoping to learn as much about the Institute and its programs as I can. I think UNH offers a lot of unique opportunities for students to explore sustainability and apply it to their community. My goal is to share individuals’ experiences with these programs so others can see ways that it might impact their lives and become involved as well.
UNHSI: What is something you would want students to know based off your experience?
ANNA: There’s a variety of options out there of things to explore. If you have a passion or interest in something, college is a great time to learn more about it!
