Librarian appointed as inaugural SUNY Sustainability Faculty Fellow
Neyda Gilman to assist faculty in developing new applied learning opportunities
°®¶ą´«Ă˝ Libraries’ Neyda Gilman is among 11 fellows across SUNY who will assist other faculty in incorporating climate and sustainability topics into existing courses and develop new applied learning opportunities.
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced SUNY’s inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows in recognition of New York Climate Week Sept. 21-28.
“At its core, this fellowship is a way to further integrate sustainability and climate information into courses across SUNY,” said Gilman, librarian for sustainability, STEM engagement and health sciences. “This program combines three things I find to be central to my identity and work: sustainability, education and community. Participating in this fellowship will allow me to use my skills and knowledge as a librarian to find, evaluate and share information that will be useful for faculty to integrate into their courses and beneficial to the students in those courses.”
The fellowship program will help advance climate literacy and integrate sustainability topics into curriculum throughout the SUNY system. Working collaboratively, the 11 fellows will provide support for faculty to address key issues that have grown increasingly important in today’s changing world.
“SUNY is proud to be a key partner in Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to build a resilient and sustainable New York,” King said. “With climate change affecting all elements of our society, from extreme weather emergencies to the emerging clean energy field, our students will need to be knowledgeable about sustainability to thrive as citizens and in their careers. Today’s students are eager to participate in climate action, and SUNY is taking steps so that New Yorkers are prepared.”
For Gilman, the fellowship is an extension of the work she does to advance the mission of the University Libraries. Through her involvement with the Sustainability Hub located in the Science Library, Gilman recognizes the importance of environmental literacy and the impact having these skills integrated with the curriculum.
“Sustainability has an impact on every part of our lives and this program will help more people learn more about it and increase related conversations. Sustainability means so much more than many people realize,” Gilman said. “While the purpose of the fellowships is to help students meet the SUNY general education requirements, I see the importance of sustainability in all aspects of our lives. Increasing student and faculty exposure to accurate information on the topic is additionally motivating.”
The announcement of the Sustainability Faculty Fellows was made during SUNY’s Climate Week, which included discussions, conversations and meetings with environmental groups, authors and activists related to climate topics affecting the state of New York and beyond.
“As key stakeholders convene for New York Climate Week to discuss the developments of a more resilient and sustainable future for all, SUNY is helping to lead the way,” the SUNY Board of Trustees said in a statement. “The challenges facing New York state, and our entire global civilization, due to climate change require our passionate dedication to meaningful action, and we applaud the inaugural Sustainability Faculty Fellows for being true leaders in this field.”