From academics to campus events to living-learning communities to student organizations, there are many ways to get involved and turn your sustainability interests into impactful action!
Check out how you can get involved below and follow our MTU Sustainability Events Calendar to stay updated on campus events.
Academics
There are many opportunities to explore your passion for sustainability through academics at Michigan Tech. Dig into courses, certificate programs, and undergraduate and graduate degree programs that will prepare you to be a sustainable leader, ready to create a sustainable future for all. Check out some examples of our sustainability curriculum below and visit ourcurriculum page to learn more.
- Sustainability Studies Minor through Michigan Tech's Essential Education Minor Pathway
- Sustainability Degree Programs (certificates, minors, undergraduate degree programs, and graduate degree programs)
- Climate Change Curriculum (Introduction to Global Climate Change course launching spring 2026)
- Enterprise (Green Campus, Alternative Energy, etc.)
Co-Curricular Programs
TreeHouse Sustainability Learning Community
TreeHouse Sustainability Learning Community is where first-year students from all majors live and learn together in shaping a more sustainable future. Nestled on the fifth floor of East Wadsworth Hall overlooking campus, this dynamic living-learning community offers immersive experiences through seminars, field trips, community-building opportunities, and volunteer projects. Join your fellow students as you transform your sustainability curiosity or passion into action. Your Michigan Tech journey starts (sustainably) here!
Sustainability Demonstration House
The Sustainability Demonstration House (SDH) is a living laboratory of sustainability projects in real-time. This student-run, retrofitted house on Woodland Road strives for net-zero emissions and waste and serves as a model of sustainability for campus and the community. Sample projects include vermicompost, aquaponics, indoor hydroponic gardens, beekeeping, and maple syrup. Major facilities upgrades are planned for the future to improve the energy performance of the house.
Husky Food Access Network Volunteering
Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN) is a non-profit organization funded by donations to combat food insecurity on Michigan Tech's campus. The HuskyFAN provides multiple resources for the campus community including the food pantry and emergency food resources. You can support HuskyFAN by hosting a food drive, volunteering in the pantry, of helping work events. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact huskyfan@mtu.edu.
Work for the Office of Sustainability and Resilience
Students and staff play an integral role in the work we do and we regularly hire Student Sustainability Coordinators. Please contact sustainability@mtu.edu to learn about employment opportunities in our office.
Involvement and Events
Student Orgs
Being active in your community is one of the most important aspects of contributing to a sustainable, just, and resilient society. Consider joining an existing sustainability student organization or starting your own. From clubs focused on sustainability, climate action, or just getting outside - there's something for everyone.
Events
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience regularly hosts campus and community events to help build a culture of sustainability and bring awareness.
- Sustainability Month and Fest: Campus Sustainability Month takes place across university campuses each October and is a time to celebrate sustainability in higher education. Our office and multiple student organizations host events throughout the month, including Sustainability Fest - a one-day celebration in October. Interested in getting involved? Contact our office (sustainability@mtu.edu) to learn more.
- Weigh the Waste: A collaboration between Husky Eats and the Office of Sustainability and Resilience, Weigh the Waste aims to bring awareness to food waste in campus dining halls. By tracking food waste metrics, we can measure our food waste over time and lower the amount of food wasted.
- Zero Waste Athletic Games: Zero Waste Athletic Games are collaborations between MTU Athletics, Husky Eats, and the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. Zero Waste games help Michigan Tech continue waste reduction efforts and bring awareness to the positive environmental impact achievable through community collaboration.
- Sustainability Film Series: The Sustainability Film Series brings relevant, thought-provoking, and informative films to Michigan Tech's campus. All films are free to attend and open to the public. Facilitated discussions follow each screening and light refreshments are provided. The series screens one film each month during the spring semester (January - April).
- Earth Month: Each April, the Office of Sustainability and Resilience and several student organizations host a series of events to celebrate Earth Month. These events highlight our collective commitment to environmental stewardship and include activities such as clean-ups, workshops, film screenings, and community meals.
Wadsworth Garden
The Wadsworth Garden is an on-campus, student-run garden in front of Wadsworth Hall. All produce grown in the garden is free and available for students, with much going to support the Husky Food Access Network. There is a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs grown each year. The garden space offers picnic tables and relaxing places to sit outside and study, commune, or hang out.
Campus Bike Lab
The Campus Bike Lab provides you with the tools and know-how to fix your ride. Drop by the outdoor popup outside the library and learn some basic on how to keep your bike safe and efficient. Our tentative 2025 fall schedule for Campus Bike Lab is every Monday and Wednesday from 5-7pm. Updates will be posted on the MTU Sustainability Events Calendar.
Campus Resources
HuskyFAN Food Pantry
Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN) is a non-profit organization funded by donations to combat food insecurity on Michigan Tech's campus. The HuskyFAN provides multiple resources for the campus community including the food pantry and emergency food resources. HuskyFAN is located on the ground floor of Fisher Hall.
Upcycled Food Operations
Upcycled Food Operations (UFO) aims to fight food waste and address food insecurity by repacking leftover food from Wadsworth Dining Hall and "teleporting" these meals to the Husky Food Access Network, our on-campus food pantry located in Fisher Hall.
On-Campus Recycling
Michigan Tech is committed to reducing waste on campus through recycling, composting, and repurposing items whenever possible. We currently divert about 140 tons of material each year from the landfill and are working on increasing that number through targeted programs on campus. We offer many recycling program on campus, including single stream, battery, e-waste, plastic film, and more. Visit our Recycling Guide to learn more.
Husky Exchange
Husky Exchange is our green move-in/move-out program hosted by the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. Each spring, generous Huskies donate gently-used and no-longer-needed items during spring semester move out. Our office collects these items and brings them back in the fall during move-in for students to access free or low cost items for their dorm or apartment. This initiative keeps items out of landfill and costs low for students.
Husky Closet Collective
The Husky Closet Collective helps you find the clothes you need so you can focus on what's important. Services are donation-based, sustainable, and completely free for Michigan Tech students. The Husky Closet Collective includes three programs: the Clothing Closet, the Career Closet, and Gowns for Grads.
Sustainable Dorm Living Guide
Ever wonder how to make dorm living a little more green? Students in TreeHouse, Michigan Tech’s Sustainability Learning Community, wondered the same thing and developed a Sustainable Dorm Living Guide as a solution! Packed with tips, tricks, and resources, the Sustainable Dorm Living Guide is a great reference tool that can help make on campus living more sustainable.
Funding and Awards
NextGen Climate Funding
The NextGen Climate Leaders Fund supports current full time Michigan Tech students at any level to pursue professional development opportunities and independent projects to build their network and skills to support climate change leadership development. Students may apply for up to $1,000 of funding, with applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the 2025 calendar year.
Chernosky Climate Ambassador Award
The Frank Chernosky Campus Climate Ambassador Award supports the development of Michigan Tech undergraduate students into the climate change leaders of tomorrow. This alumni-funded award is named after Frank Chernosky, a former professor and advisor at Michigan Tech. This award in his name consists of three forms of student support: a partial tuition scholarship, funds for professional development and/or applied work, and a formal mentorship by campus and/or external professionals. One recipient is chosen annually and the application process opens each spring semester.
Stay Connected
MTU Sustainability Events Calendar
Add the MTU Sustainability Events Calendar to your Google Calendar and stay connected to all things sustainability on campus.
Follow our Instagram account (@sustainablemtu)
Blog
Our Sustainability Blog is a great way to read about news, research, events, and opportunities related to sustainability.