Our Mission and Team
The Office of Sustainability plays a central role in advancing and tracking environmental stewardship at Butler. Through initiatives such as energy efficiency and clean energy, waste minimization and diversion, the Sustainability Leadership Cohort, campus farm, and Green Programs, The Office of Sustainability fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness among students, faculty, and staff.
Mission:
- To advance Butler University’s academic mission and strategic vision by identifying and implementing data-informed sustainability initiatives that are fiscally responsible, promote behavior change, create innovative educational experiences, and enhance our campus’ pursuit of environmental and social well-being.
Vision:
- To exemplify The Butler Way and inspire our community, institution, and the next generation of leaders to become change makers for environmental, social, and economic well-being.
Office of Sustainability Staff
I am a research ecologist specializing in plant physiological ecology and ecosystem ecology seeking to connect human impacts of land alteration, pollution, and manmade infrastructure on ecosystem function, plant physiological response, and species diversity. I have a PhD in Ecology with a Minor in Statistics from the University of Wyoming and completed a postdoc at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In South Africa, I transitioned into urban ecology while studying the impacts of air pollution and subsequent deposition of pollutants on plant diversity in the urban ecosystem.
After 3-years at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) as a Proposal Writer and Editor, I began my role as the Director of the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability at Butler University. In this role, I am responsible for the oversight of the CUES programs such as the CUE Farm and student internships as well as assisting faculty and community partners with research, education, and community outreach activities that focus on urban ecology and sustainability. I currently serve on the Ecology Committee of Reconnecting to Our Waterways and on the Advisory Team for the Purdue Extension Farm Incubator project in Indianapolis.
For more information on what the CUES does and how to get involved, check out our website at: https://www.butler.edu/cues.
I support the university as a content expert for campus sustainability, energy efficiency, and strategic sustainability planning and an advocate for sustainabiltiy initiatives. I coordinate with several different campus departments to develop a new iteration of Butler’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan to strategically align campus sustainability efforts with University Strategic Priorities and achieve sustainability and carbon neutrality goals . In cooperation with Facilities and other campus divisions, I measure and assess sustainability progress, using Second Nature’s Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform (SIMAP) and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) as primary reporting platforms. I graduated from Indiana State University, with a degree in Environemtnal Science. Go Dawgs!
Tim Dorsey began work as farm manager of the CUE Farm in 2011.
The Sustainability Leadership Cohort is an intentional internship model that focuses on peer-to-peer mentorship and community building. The SLC provides experiential opportunities for Butler students to practice real-world problem solving and learn tangible skills for professional development and career preparedness. Students in the SLC work on a variety of urban ecology and sustainability projects across campus and the community. Join the movement to create change.
Global Center for Species Survival (GCSS) Interns
The GCSS is a global conservation organization that assesses species population information, plans science-based conservation action, and mobilizes conservation efforts through governments, academia, and the private sector to improve global biodiversity.
Juliet McCoy, Environmental Studies ’24
Juliet is researching invertebrate species on the IUCN Red List and analyzing their red list category, geological location, extinction risk, and threats to the species.
Ryan Snyder, Biology ’24
Ryan is researching bird species on the IUCN Red List and analyzing their red list category, geological location, extinction risk, and threats to the species.
FreeWheelin’ Community Bikes Intern
Freewheelin’ Community Bikes is a grassroots nonprofit organization that empowers Indianapolis youth and community members with skills and a passion for bikes to create a healthier, more connected Indy.
Nia Williams, Chemistry ’27
Nia is working on developing outreach and donation programs to improve the equitable distribution of bikes to the Indianapolis community, help build knowledge for Indy youth, and create opportunities to volunteer.
Fair Trade and Indy Wildlife Watch Intern
Emilee Theofanopoulos, Energy Engineering and Environmental Studies ‘27
Emilee is developing and marketing Earth Week and Fair Trade events for our campus community in collaboration with Bon Appetit. She is also assisting in the analysis of wildlife data by identifying species in photos taken across the city of Indianapolis.
Carbon Sequestration Research Interns
Caroline and Aubrey are researching the total carbon sequestered by Holcomb Woods as part of ions as part of the President’s Climate Action Commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. Carbon sequestered by campus can be used to offset emissions associated with campus operations.
Caroline Krause, Environmental Studies ’25
Aubrey Rose, Environmental Studies ‘25
Campus Sustainability Emissions Intern
Mason Glembocki, Environmental Studies ‘24
Mason is streamlining the collection of data associated with emissions from campus food purchases and using that data to calculate total annual emissions from food purchases. This information is used to report campus emissions as part of the President’s Climate Action Commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. Mason is also preparing an application for Butler University to become a Bike Friendly University.
Campus Sustainability Energy Intern
Ella Sarles, Environmental Studies ‘24
Ella is conducting lighting audits across campus to assess the status of LED lighting conversion of campus. This research will enable the University to identify the status of LED lighting conversion, the cost to complete the entire campus transition to LED lighting, and the return on investment as part of campus-wide efforts to be carbon neutral by 2050.
The Butler Sustainability Leadership Council (BSLC) serves as the guiding force behind Butler’s sustainability initiatives, ensuring that strategic priorities align with the University’s overarching mission. Comprised of diverse members from various departments, the BSLC actively shapes policies and decisions to foster a sustainable campus environment.
Julia Angstmann, Executive Director, Office of Sustainability/Convener
Bruce Arick, Vice President, Finance and Administration
Brenda Harrington, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources
Shelly Baldauf, Manager, Purchasing Office
Brooke Barnett, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
Todd Buerger, Associate Vice President, Office of Operations
Bethanie Danko, University Relations Associate, President’s Office
Lee Dicklitch, Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations, Athletics
Dean Esteves, Executive Director, Office of Strategic Engagement
Kathy Hankins, Director, Budgets and Financial Planning
Victoria Ochs, Marketing Specialist, Marketing and Communications
John Lacheta, Manager of Facilities Operations, Office of Operations
Michael Lofton, Senior Director, Community and Government Relations, Office of Strategic Engagement
Jason Rose, District Manager, Bon Appétit
Bob Moss, Campus Engineer, Office of Operations
Chad Pingel, Butler University Trustee
Frank Ross, Vice President for Student Affairs
Khalilah Shabazz, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Julie Whitaker, Assistant Director of Operational Sustainability, Office of Sustainability
Shanna Stuckey, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Sarah Hawkins, Executive Director for Foundation Relations, Office of Advancement
Hannah Howard, Butler Student, President of EcoReps Student Organization
Eloise Ayotti, Butler Student, SGA Sustainability Officer
Led by co-chairs Professor Jane Siegler and Professor Carmen Salsbury, the Sustainability Curriculum Faculty Group ensures that sustainability is embedded in the academic fabric of Butler University. With representatives from every college, the group focuses on integrating sustainability into coursework and programming, nurturing students to understand, recognize, and act on sustainability challenges.
Co-Leaders
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Sustainability Requirement Working Group
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Catherine Pangan, COE
Jane Gervasio, COPHS
Ann Bilodeau, CCOM
Wendy Meaden, JCA
Julia Angstmann, Office of Sustainability
Sustainability Curriculum Working Group
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Julia Angstmann, Office of Sustainability