Hannah Godsey ’15, an international relations major with a sociology minor, was recently accepted to the Bard College C2C Fellowship, which promotes sustainable practices on college campuses. The C2C (Campus to Congress) Fellows Network at the Bard Center for Environmental Policy is a “national program for undergraduates and recent graduates aspiring to leadership positions in sustainable politics and business.” C2C offers intensive skills-based weekend workshops to young people from across the country. In particular, Hannah attended workshops for public speaking, sustainability in business, and sustainability in politics.
Hannah’s favorite activity was when she, and a small group, had to create a product pertaining to sustainable energy and then pitch it to a funding board. Her group created an app that allowed consumers to view their personal energy usage in real time in their homes through their energy company. This app, the group hoped, would enable consumers to be more aware of and take more responsibility for their energy consumption. There were four teams in the “competition” who each gave a short pitch to a board made up of the Director of the MBA in Sustainability Program and other leaders in sustainable energy development. Hannah’s team requested $500,000 and they were awarded this “money” because the app was the most realistic and feasible proposal that was put forth. In addition to Hannah’s success in her training in sustainable development, she also won the Green Stone Award in public speaking.
This program was important for Hannah in several ways. First, it provided valuable training for a career in sustainable development. Second, it was a fantastic networking opportunity for young adults to meet people with the same interests and work together to achieve their goals. Lastly, she was able to learn about current and future technologies in the sustainable practice field and new energy policies that are in the process of development. Hannah hopes to pursue a career in sustainable energy and education. “The first seeds of change grow through education,” she said.
