The Cornell Campus Sustainability Office is launching a new program to support student career sustainability growth.

The Women Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship is a one-year program open to Cornell University graduate and undergraduate students designed to accelerate career and executive-leadership advancement in sustainability-related fields.  

Fellows will engage in personal leadership development, mentoring & networking with acclaimed women leaders in sustainability, and be provided with a paid internship focused on designing and implementing a strategic project for climate and sustainability impact at Cornell University.  

"The fellowship experience has been designed to empower leaders to action," said Sarah Brylinsky, Sustainability Business Integration Manager in the Campus Sustainability Office.

"Our goal is to give exceptional candidates a head-start in advancing their sustainability careers. We need greater gender diversity in sustainability leadership positions, across most industries and impact areas. This fellowship aims to accelerate that change."

Eligibility

Graduate and undergraduate students from all colleges and programs may apply. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students through August 2022 to be eligible.

The Sustainability Office hopes to receive applications from diverse backgrounds and interets areas. 

The program materials note that "the fellowship is open to all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women."

Applications will be accepted through May 28th, 2021 for the 2021-2022 cohort.  

Fellowship Details  

The WLS Fellowship is designed to accelerate candidates' leadership potential with three program components. 

The total fellowship award is approximately $11,200 for graduate students and $8,200 for undergraduate students.  

Internship and Sustainability Solutions Project 

The main component of the Fellowship is advanced project design and implementation in a real-world setting. Fellows will join the staff of the Campus Sustainability Office for a paid position totaling 10hrs/week during Fall and Spring semesters (August-May), and 20hrs/week during the summer (May-August).

Fellows will work with a professional mentor to design and implement a real-world solution to a sustainability challenge at Cornell University in one of three focus areas:

• Community Engagement
• Climate Leadership
• Sustainability Change Management

Women in Sustainability Mentorship & Networking  

Fellows will gain access to virtual coffee chats with a series of high-profile women in sustainability executive leadership from across New York State and international sustainability and climate programs.  

Personal Leadership Journey 

Fellows will gain a deep sense of strengths, passion, and vision through leadership development experiences designed to empower your path to executive leadership and meaningful change agency. 
 

Questions about the program may be directed to sustainability@cornell.edu.