Applications for Student Positions through the Environmental Stewardship Center open on Monday, March 9th, so we’re highlighting the experiences of our amazing ESC team! The ESC currently has five student positions, two of which are opening next week. If you’re interested in learning more about applying, check out our Student Positions page.
There are the beloved Hoop House interns, who tend to the Hoop House, organize open hours and activities, and host cultural events. Veda Shukla ’28 just joined the Hoop House in the fall and states “I have learned so much since working at the Hoop, from gardening practices and sustainability to the importance of community and reciprocity with the Earth. I carry the knowledge I have learned from my internship into all other areas of my life, and I am eternally grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people.” Zoe Wilson ’26, who has been a steward of the Hoop House for three years now, explains what she’s gained: “Whether I am tending to the beds, organizing an event, or enjoying a deliciously ripe strawberry, the Hoop House continues to teach me. Not only do I gain firsthand knowledge about how to care for the land, but I have also acquired knowledge in how to listen, be patient, and care for my community, humans and more-than-humans alike.”
Next, we have the adventurous Arb Trail Crew, who serve as stewards of the Lillian Anderson Arboretum and do trail maintenance and invasive species management. Six miles away from campus, the five miles of trails at the Arb keep the crew busy as they help remove fallen trees and branches, keep the Wetland Boardwalk clear, and interact with neighbors enjoying the calls of the sandhill cranes. Students like Nat Ward ’26 also help run the Arb Stewardship Practicum, which is one of the ESC’s free PE class offerings.
There is also the hard-working Composting Crew, who manage the composting on campus, teach the composting PE class, steward the Grove, and encourage sustainable waste management from students, staff, and faculty around Kalamazoo College. Mo Silcott ’27 is returning to Composting Crew after their study abroad and they spoke about their experience, saying: “In my time working on the Crew, I’ve gained a wealth of wisdom when it comes to an aspect of the nature cycle that is often avoided: death. In many ways, as composters, we give organic material such as fruits and vegetables new life by turning them into cured compost to use as nutrients for future produce, plants, and other types of gardens. Teaching composting has also been a journey, allowing another layer of understanding. I not only have to apply what I know but understand it at a deeper level in order for others to learn.” Miyani Sonera ’27 just joined the Composting Crew last spring and remarked, “Composting in the grove has given me the chance to not only interact with our environment here at K, but to learn from it! The grove is truly such a special place that has given me so much and has been amazing to work in!”
A new position at the ESC is the remarkable Dining Sustainability Intern, who works with the K’s dining partner, Parkhurst, to promote sustainability in dining locations. Madi Magda ’26 has helped to improve waste stream education, like recycling and composting, for staff and students alike through clear signage, hosting tabling events, and intercepting compostable items that would otherwise hit the landfill. One way she has encouraged our campus to take sustainable practices into their own hands is the Double Punch program at the Book Club – bring your own mug, get two punches towards a free drink!
Lastly, there are the ESC Interns. They help put on every ESC event such as the Sustainability SIP Symposium, biweekly Sustainability Chats, and the Climate Connection Series, the last of which is informed by their representation on the Climate Action Plan Committee. They work to increase students’ involvement with campus sustainability and the Climate Action Plan through the First-Year Forums, ESC’s social media, and these blog posts you’re reading! Crucial to the ESC function, they help connect all the different intern roles and help the different teams collaborate throughout the year. Mia Pierce ’26 has been an ESC Intern for three years now and states, “I’ve loved working at the ESC because it’s forced me out of my comfort zone and given a lot of opportunities to develop professional skills. For example, I used to be really anxious about public speaking, but working at the ESC has given the space to work on that. Now, I regularly present to my peers at the Climate Connections Series and also lead the FYE sustainability tour. Additionally, I’ve gained experience in working in a large group to plan a major event, the Sustainability SIP Symposium, which requires constant communication and coordination to make happen.” Josie Belsky ’28 began her role as an ESC intern last spring and comments, “I’ve learned so much about how things run behind the scenes through the ESC, and the most rewarding part is realizing that I’m capable of doing things I’ve never tried before and learning skills through that process. Working as the ESC intern has taught me better communication skills with students and staff, organizational skills and flexibility when working with lots of dynamic tasks simultaneously, and creative skills for engaging with the K community.”
You can meet our entire 2025-2026 ESC team on our About Us page! If you’re interested in applying to be the next Hoop House or ESC intern, keep an eye out for applications on March 9th!
Environmental Stewardship Center
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