News & Events

Bridging Business and Sustainability: Inside Loyola’s Net Impact Chapter

Net Impact is a national organization focused on sustainable business, with more than 400 chapters across the United States. Loyola’s undergraduate chapter brings that mission to campus with a specific focus: connecting students in the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) with those in the Quinlan School of Business.

Indigenous Stewardship Takes Center Stage at Loyola SES Speaker Series

Loyola University Chicago School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) will be welcoming Gina Roxas the Executive Director of the Trickster Cultural Center as part of its speaker series highlighting environmental leadership across the Chicagoland area.

A look inside the greenhouse at the School of Environmental Sustainability

Students grow food and study plant and soil science year-round in Loyola's 3,100 square-foot greenhouse. Take a look inside and learn how they produce vegetables, mushrooms, and more using environmentally friendly methods.

research

Drones Help Scientists Track Declining Wild Rice in the Great Lakes

Researchers have found that drones equipped with specialized cameras could help scientists more efficiently monitor and protect northern wild rice, a culturally and ecologically important plant that is under threat in the Great Lakes region.

Students gain real-world career skills in the Loyola Biodiesel Lab

Students working in Loyola's Searle Biodiesel Lab gain skills and experience that directly apply to their career interests.

Events

SES Seminar: Graduate Student Showcase

In a March 18 seminar, students in the master’s degree program at the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) will discuss their research into vital environmental issues.

New Study Finds Signs of Progress in Equity of Federal Farm Payments

While a legacy of racial discrimination is still evident in the US agricultural landscape, a new study by Loyola researcher Wesley Zebrowski, PhD, found cautious signs of progress toward greater equity in federal farm payments.

Catch our Urban Agriculture team at the Edgewater Market

SES students grow healthy food on campus year-round thanks to the school’s 3,100-square-foot greenhouse. Students in the Urban Agriculture program will sell their fresh, ultra-local produce at the Edgewater Indoor Market on select Saturdays throughout the winter.

Loyola students cut food waste while serving the community

During the 2025 fall semester, students prevented more than 15,000 pounds of food from going to waste, providing the equivalent of 12,500 meals for those in need.

Events

SES Seminar: Climate Change and the Air We Breathe

In the February SES seminar, Ping Jing, PhD, will discuss the impact of 2023 wildfire smoke on ozone and public health in Chicago communities.

Turning waste into fuel in the Searle Biodiesel Lab

View a video tour of the Searle Biodiesel Lab at the School of Environmental Sustainability to see how students turn used vegetable oil into renewable fuel and other products.

Loyola Faculty Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for Sustainability Leadership

Nancy Tuchman, founding dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability, and Michael Schuck, professor in the Department of Theology and the School of Environmental Sustainability, received lifetime achievement awards this month for their work advancing environmental sustainability in Jesuit higher education. The International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) presented the two with the St. Peter Canisius Medal for Extraordinary Service to Jesuit Higher Education for the North American region.

Students Around the World Reflect on Laudato Si'

Laudato Si' Week 2022 marks the seventh anniversary of the Pope Francis's powerful encyclical calling on people everywhere take action to preserve biodiversity, combat climate change, are care for each other and our common home. Students around the world reflected on the call to action in inspiring videos.

Progress and Growth at SES

At the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), we are developing solutions to critical ecological problems, working toward environmental justice, and training the next generation of sustainability leaders. Read our latest progress report to learn more about our accomplishments in education, research, and environmental action.

Measuring the value of nature: the work of an environmental economist

How do you measure the value that people place on an experience like catching a smallmouth bass in a pristine lake? As an environmental economist, Richard "Max" Melstrom works to measure what many assume is immeasurable.

SES faculty member explores pathways to a more sustainable energy future

Rodrigo Mercado Fernández, PhD, joined Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) as an assistant professor in the spring of 2025, bringing a robust engineering background, a globally informed perspective, and a passion for understanding how our energy choices affect people and the planet.

Managing the arrival and spread of aquatic invasive species

Invasive species are the most significant driver of biodiversity and economic losses in the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Keller lab, led by Professor Reuben Keller, PhD, published two papers that provide novel insights for managing the arrival and spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes.

events

SES Seminar Series: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan

The January SES seminar explores the way Lake Michigan has shaped and been shaped by the people who have lived along its shores, from the indigenous Native Americans to the invasive Euro-Americans.

Research

Research points to more inclusive pathways to greener cities

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability are exploring how cities can create a healthier, greener environment without driving gentrification. Their recent work offers insights for balancing sustainability and social equity.

Using birds killed in building collisions to study forever chemicals in wild birds

PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," are linked with health problems including cancers and conditions impacting the immune system, liver, and kidneys. To develop policies that protect human and ecological health, we need to learn more about how people and animals become exposed to the persistent chemicals. A new publication co-authored by a Loyola researcher describes a novel strategy for examining PFAS exposure in wild birds.

Alumni

Finding a career path in energy efficiency and innovation

Haley Lim graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2014 with a BS in environmental science. She currently works as a senior emerging technology analyst at GTI Energy, a technology development organization focused on deploying energy solutions that improve lives, economies, and the environment. Lim shared her thoughts about how her Loyola education prepared her to succeed in her career.

Alumni

Loyola alum helps restore habitats nationwide

A 2023 Loyola alum brings her passion for conservation and restoration to large-scale mitigation projects across the country.

Alumni

A Loyola graduate advancing sustainable agriculture research

SES alum Emily Braun applies the values and skills she developed at Loyola in her work as a sustainability theme data specialist at the University of Illinois Ubana-Champaign's Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation. She shared her thoughts about how her Loyola experience prepared her for a rewarding and meaningful career.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022

On May 10, the Loyola University Chicago School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) held commencement for the class of 2022. Of the 144 total graduates, 49 earned master’s degrees in environmental science and sustainability, 89 completed bachelor’s degrees, and six received post-baccalaureate certificates. Meet the graduates who received awards for outstanding achievement in academics, research, leadership, and environmental stewardship, and service.

The Air We Breathe

Researchers at Loyola are investigating the stark difference in air quality on Chicago's South and North Sides. Students assisting with the study are gaining valuable experience monitoring and evaluating air pollution.

Students Share Their Summer Internship Experiences

Students in the School of Environmental Sustainability benefit from a wide variety of hands-on, applied learning opportunities, including internships. Over the summer, many students participated in internships that enriched their education, provided real-world professional experience, and expanded their social and professional networks. Several shared their thoughts on what they gained from the experience.

Sarah Ku Brings Business and Sustainability Together at Loyola

Dr. Sarah Ku, newly-appointed assistant professor of sustainable business management at Loyola, joined the SES community this fall to serve as a bridge between the fields of environmental science and business. Her dissertation research entitled Stakeholder Governance: Empirical and Theoretical Developments was recently accepted into the Honor Roll of Responsible Research in Business and Management.

Catching Up with Last Year's Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Winners

The School of Environmental Sustainability and the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility are gearing up for the second annual Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge, an entrepreneurial competition available to all Loyola students. We checked in with last year’s winners to see how their sustainable business ventures are progressing.

From SES to the EPA

Meet SES master's degree program alum Carter Cranberg, project officer with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Catching Up with Last Year's Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Winners Part 2, LOOP

The kickoff gathering for the second annual Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge took place on Friday, October 14, on Loyola's lakeshore campus. As the 2023 challenge gets underway, we continue with our deep dive into the top three winning teams from the Spring of 2022.

Celebrating 10 Years of Healing Earth

In October 2012, 31 collaborators from Jesuit institutions around the world formed the International Jesuit Ecology Project (IJEP) to address environmental challenges. Led by Loyola’s Michael Schuck, PhD, the group developed Healing Earth, a free online environmental science textbook used globally and highly regarded in the Jesuit community. This October, we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the project with the release of the third edition of Healing Earth.

Congratulations to Cosette Ellis, the SES President’s Medallion Recipient

Cosette Ellis from Seattle, Washington, has been awarded the prestigious President’s Medallion for Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES). The President’s Medallion honors one student from each college, school, and institute at Loyola who excels in leadership, scholarship, and service.

Engrained Café Earns 4-Star Green Restaurant Certification

Loyola’s green café Engrained recently received a 4-star certification from the Green Restaurant Association, the highest possible distinction from the organization.

Loyola Faculty Members Share Insights on What We Can Do about Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most urgent problems the world faces today. Three faculty members in Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability shared their thoughts on priority actions that will make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Marlene Brito-Millán Connects Social Justice and Environmental Science

Marlene Brito-Millán, PhD, joined SES this year as an assistant professor of ecology, and her extensive research background and solidarity work make her an exciting addition to Loyola’s faculty.

Loyola Named a Silver-Level Bicycle-Friendly University

This November, Loyola earned a renewal of its Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of our institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

Out of Sight: SES Graduates Tackle Waste

Two Loyola SES alums, Liam Donnelly and Kelly Hof, have discovered rewarding careers delivering solutions that reduce waste and protect the environment.

The Organizer

The future of our planet is a matter of life and death. Loyola SES alum Paul Campion is fighting to save us all.

Loyola Student Investigates Strategies for Reducing Road Salt Pollution

SES undergraduate Kristina Tsakos is participating in wetland ecology research and studying ways to protect ecosystems from road salt pollution.

Waste Week Invites Ramblers to Cut Trash Production

February 20 to 24 is Waste Week at Loyola, an event focused on educating students from all campuses about waste and materials management.

Where You Live: Examining Environmental Racism

The color of your skin shouldn't determine how clean your environment is, but it often does. In this Ask an Expert video series, Tania Schusler, assistant professor in the School of Environmental Sustainability, explains what environmental racism is and what we can do to combat it.

Meet the 2023 Climate Change Conference Keynote Speaker

Filmmaker Michael Nash will deliver the keynote speech at the 2023 Loyola University Chicago Climate Change Conference. His award-winning film Climate Refugees premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has been screened around the world.

Takeaways from Loyola's 2023 Climate Change Conference

Today an estimated 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, and that number is likely to rise dramatically in the next 30 years. On March 16, 2023, Loyola’s annual Climate Change Conference examined how climate change impacts global human migration.

Meet the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge 2023 Finalists

On April 21, six teams of Loyola students will compete in the final round of the second annual Abrams Sustainable Business challenge. Meet the teams who will pitch their green business ideas for a chance to win start-up funding for their ventures.

Loyola Commits to Clean Power in Illinois

A new solar project will provide 100 percent of the University's electricity needs.

SES Faculty Member Recognized for Excellence in Engaged Learning and Teaching

Loyola’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship honored Assistant Professor Tania Schusler, PhD, with the Adolfo Nicolas SJ Excellence in Engaged Learning and Teaching Award. Her work exemplifies the School of Environmental Sustainability's commitment to experiential learning.

Urban Agriculture Program Prepares Alums for Rewarding Careers

Many Loyola alums who participated in the Urban Agriculture Program have gone on to successful careers connected to agriculture and sustainability.

2023 Abrams Challenge Winners

Meet the three winning teams from this year’s Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge.

SES Faculty Member Receives Mentoring Award

Brian Ohsowski, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Environmental Sustainability, received the Langerback Award for Undergraduate Research Mentoring. The award recognizes his extraordinary commitment to supporting and guiding undergraduates in research endeavors.

Meet the Class of 2023

Congratulations to the School of Environmental Sustainability’s class of 2023. Meet some of the graduates who exemplify the spirit of SES.

Loyola Gets Rolling During the Bike Commuter Challenge

The Chicago area’s 2023 Bike Commuter Challenge kicks off on May 15, and Loyola University Chicago is competing. Find out how to join the team.

Student Research Contributes to Local Ecological Restoration

A small project that began in a School of Environmental Sustainability classroom has grown into something bigger with the potential to create positive change in Chicagoland public areas.

Community Partnership Supports Native Plants and Pollinators

The SES Urban Agriculture Program team is collaborating with the Edgewater Environmental Coalition to help disperse native plants throughout the neighborhood.

Students Explore Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

This summer Loyola students participated in an unforgettable study abroad program exploring Ecuador's "four worlds."

Loyola Receives Laudato Si' Champions Award

On July 27, Catholic Climate Covenant announced the winners of the organization's first U.S. Laudato Si' Champions Awards. Loyola University Chicago received the award in the university category.

SES Graduates Share Advice for New Students

Members of the School of Environmental Sustainability’s 2023 graduating class shared their advice for new students just starting their college journeys.

Summer Internship Focuses on Exploring Botanical Treasures

Marinda Vacanti embarked on a transformative journey during her summer internship at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. As a collections intern, Marinda's role focused on meticulously preserving and understanding botanical specimens, providing her with hands-on experience in museum collections.

Fall 2023 Progress Report

It has been a year of growth and renewal at the School of Environmental Sustainability. Read about new academic programs, impactful research, student accomplishments, alumni careers, and more in the Fall 2023 Progress Report.

Meet the faculty: Mark Mackey, SJ, MS

Mark J. Mackey, SJ, MS, is a Jesuit brother and an ecologist. He became a full member of the School of Environmental Sustainability faculty in the fall of 2023. In his teaching, he connects ecology, stewardship, and spiritually.

Graduate Student Investigates How Wildfire Smoke Impacts Chicago Air Quality

Loyola graduate student Nora Hartnett is investigating how wildfires across North America impact air pollution levels in the Chicago area. Her findings could inform new strategies for improving air quality and human health.

SES student receives the Loyola President's Medallion

Mereya Riopedre is the 2023 SES recipient of the President's Medallion. The award honors one student from each college, school, and institute who excels in leadership, scholarship, and service.

Connecting Sustainability, Business, and Economics

SES is expanding its interdisciplinary approach with a new bachelor’s degree program in environmental economics and sustainability.

Evaluating Campus Air Quality for a Healthier Future

Loyola senior Emma McBride is evaluating campus air quality to benefit students, faculty, and the surrounding community.

SES Master's Student Identifies an Invasive Species New to the Chicago Region

This summer, Loyola graduate student Alex Quebbeman found an invasive aquatic plant called starry stonewort in a Chicago harbor. It was the first time anyone had identified the nonnative species in the Chicago region. View a video about her discovery.

Feeding a Changing World: The 2024 Climate Conference

Climate change poses a growing threat to global food security. Loyola University Chicago’s 2024 Climate Change Conference will convene experts from multiple disciplines to explore how climate change impacts global food security. Speakers will discuss strategies for developing equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

Evaluating Air Quality in Chicago Neighborhoods

Loyola student researchers are collaborating with community organizations to help people understand air pollution levels and take action to protect their health.

Events

Announcing the 2024 Climate Change Conference Keynote Speaker

The Loyola Climate Change Conference kicks off on Thursday, March 14, with a keynote presentation by author and journalism professor Amanda Little.

Campus Sustainability

Converting Used Cooking Oil into Fuel

Students in Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability are converting used cooking oil into renewable biodiesel fuel. Learn more in a new video.

Study Abroad Adventure in Belize

In January 2024, 14 Loyola students embarked on an unforgettable study abroad journey to Belize, immersing themselves in the lush tropical ecosystems of Central America.

Water Week Highlights Responsible Water Management

Loyola is dedicated to smart water management that preserves natural resources and protects our neighborhoods. As part of a multi-phased initiative, the University is building stormwater resiliency that diverts runoff from city sewers and prevents it from carrying pollutants into Lake Michigan.

Composting Made Easy

Loyola's compost bucket program allows individuals to conveniently compost food scraps from campus offices, dorm rooms, and off-campus student apartments.

Celebrate Earth Week at Loyola

Earth Day is April 22, 2024, and at Loyola, we’re extending the celebrations for an entire week. Join fellow Ramblers to celebrate sustainability and care for the Earth.

Meet the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Finalists

The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge is a year-long immersive learning opportunity for Loyola students who want to plan, launch, and scale eco-friendly ventures. On April 19, four teams will present their business concepts to a panel of judges for the chance to win up to $20,000 to start their ventures. Meet the 2023-24 finalists.

Spring Greening at Loyola

The flowers are blooming in Chicago, and with the arrival of spring, Loyola is implementing several projects to create greener campuses and reduce carbon emissions.

Loyola Honored as a Climate Action Hero

Loyola University Chicago received a Climate Action Hero Award for education from the Climate Action Museum, an institution committed to raising awareness about climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.

Abrams Challenge Winners for 2024

We are happy to announce the three teams that won the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge this year. The winning teams received cash prizes to help launch their green ventures.

Loyola students fight food waste, expand access to sustainably grown food

A new student-driven initiative from the School of Environmental Sustainability aims to fight hunger and reduce waste, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Crain’s Chicago Business Honors SES Dean Nancy Tuchman

Crain’s Chicago Business has named Nancy C. Tuchman, PhD, founding dean of Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), among their 2024 Notable Leaders in Sustainability.

Meet the Class of 2024

Congratulations to the School of Environmental Sustainability’s class of 2024. Meet some of the graduates who exemplify the spirit of SES.

Alumni

Putting a dollar value on clean water

SES graduate Emma Donnelly received national recognition for her research evaluating the economic impacts of environmental cleanup efforts in some of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes.

Loyola takes second place in the Bike Commuter Challenge

From May 13 to June 9, Loyola University Chicago participated in the annual Chicago-area Bike Commuter Challenge. Loyola took second place among educational institutions and seventh overall out of 112 participating organizations.

Alumni

Loyola alum Tony Minnick helps build sustainable, equitable food systems

As the Agriculture Park director at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture in Columbia, Missouri, Loyola alum Tony Minnick works to create more sustainable and just food systems. His experience as an undergraduate in the environmental science program prepared him to launch a meaningful career focused on making a positive difference in the world.

The Integral Ecology Program for Jesuits at Loyola University

The Integral Ecology Program at Loyola University Chicago engages young Jesuits in a multifaceted exploration of the current environmental crisis. The program draws inspiration from Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on people to care for humanity and the natural world.

Student Life

Advice to new students from recent graduates

Each August, Loyola University Chicago welcomes new students to campus. Members of the School of Environmental Sustainability’s 2024 graduating class shared their advice for students just starting their college journeys.

Research

$2.5 million grant supports Loyola professor studying the shift to solar energy

School of Environmental Sustainability faculty member Gilbert Michaud, PhD is part of a team that received a $2.5 million grant to study the best ways to work with stakeholders to site large solar installations.

Indigenous People’s Day Event Explores Native American Citizenship

Loyola University Chicago will honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14 with a panel discussion highlighting the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act.

Wesley Zebrowski: Exploring Agriculture, Policy, and the Environment

Wesley Zebrowski, PhD, joined the SES faculty in fall 2024 as an assistant professor. Their research focuses on the economic, social, and environmental consequences of agricultural policy.

Stephany Virrueta Herrera, PhD: Pursuing a Passion for Science Education and Accessibility

A Loyola alum, Stephany Virrueta Herrera, PhD, looks forward to mentoring students and sharing her passion for science in her new role as an SES lecturer. 

Reuben Keller Receives Faculty Member of the Year Award

Loyola’s Faculty Council presented the 2024 Faculty Member of the Year award to Professor Reuben Keller of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES). The award recognizes a faculty member demonstrating outstanding teaching, research, and service.

Loyola Celebrates Transportation Week

This week, Loyola kicks off a year-long series of sustainability events with Transportation Week. It's the first of many weeks focusing on how everyone on campus can help make Loyola sustainable.

Shifting Gears to a Career in Sustainable Transportation

The SES master's degree program gave Carolyn Bidó the knowledge and skills to make a career change and join the growing sustainability workforce.

Energy Week at Loyola

Loyola's Office of Sustainability will hold its annual energy week from October 14 through 18. The week of events focuses on the university's commitment to green energy and energy conservation. Students, faculty, and staff can participate in the events below or find more sustainability-focused events here.

SES Seminar Explores Humanity's Relationship with Bees

On November 20, SES will host a seminar examining humanity’s relationship with honeybees. Angélica Márquez-Osuna, PhD, assistant professor in Loyola’s Department of History, will discuss the history of bees and beekeeping in the Americas.

Milestones in sustainability education and action

Explore the latest School of Environmental Sustainability Progress Report to learn about new academic programs, impactful research, student accomplishments, alumni careers, and more.

Loyola Explores New Waste Reduction Strategies

Analyzing the contents of campus trash, recycling, and compost bins revealed significant opportunities to divert more materials from landfills.

Expanding access to healthy, locally grown food

Loyola graduate student Grace Rockenhauer spent her summer working to help people who receive food aid access healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. She interned with a local nonprofit organization as part of Partners in the Chicago Food System program, a collaborative effort to increase food security in Chicago communities.

Supporting sustainable food systems: local partnerships in action

The Sustainable Food Systems Focus Area concentrates on sustainable food production, food equity, and food justice. Team members launched the Partners in the Chicago Food System program to help increase food security in Chicago communities.

SES seminar explores nature beyond the binary

On February 12, Dani Abboud of the Brushwood Center will discuss the topic of queer ecology as part of the School of Environmental Sustainability's monthly seminar series.

Creating practical solutions for wetland restoration

Researchers from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability are devising new methods of restoring biologically diverse wetlands in the Great Lakes region. They aim to create practical, scalable solutions that will restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance recreational opportunities for people.

Internship Provides Insights into Career Possibilities

An internship with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum gave Loyola senior Kylah Farley a broader view of career opportunities in environmental science.

SES Alum Advancing Public Health in the Chicago Region

Joe Walsh graduated from Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability in 2021 with a BS in environmental science and a minor in statistics. Today, he works as a noncommunicable disease epidemiologist for the Kane County Health Department.

SES alum and grad student works for clean air

Ethan Bower is a recent Loyola graduate with a BA in environmental studies. He is now working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pursuing his master's degree in the School of Environmental Sustainability. He reflected on his Loyola education and his work at the EPA, where he helps monitor air pollution.

Peter Gleick, PhD, to deliver keynote at Loyola Climate Change Conference

Loyola’s 2025 Climate Change Conference will feature a keynote presentation by Peter Gleick, PhD, a leading scientist, innovator, and communicator on water and climate issues. Gleick co-founded the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California, in 1987. His most recent book, The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future, explores how water has shaped human history and presents a positive vision for the future.

ABC7 Chicago features Loyola's Urban Agriculture Program

Students in the School of Environmental Sustainability's Urban Agriculture Program are growing food on campus using environmentally friendly methods. A segment on ABC7 Chicago news explored how the program benefits students, the environment, and the community.

Loyola University Chicago Names Malini Suchak, PhD, as Dean of School of Environmental Sustainability

Loyola University Chicago announced today that Malini Suchak, PhD, has been appointed Dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) effective July 1, 2025.

SES Seminar: Sex and Survival in Conflict—Singing, Dancing, and Jumping Arthropods

On April 9, Erin Brandt, PhD, of the University of Chicago, will discuss her work on arthropod evolution.

Student internship offers insights into sustainable businesses

Charlotte Roos is a senior in Loyola University Chicago's School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) majoring in environmental studies with a minor in urban studies and sustainability. She shared thoughts about her Loyola experience and her internship with a local composting company.

Internship encourages independent learning

For Joylyn Bon Yu, interning in Loyola's Searle Biodiesel Lab has been a transformative step toward a career in sustainability. Her internship journey reflects resilience, curiosity, and a deep passion for environmental science.

Gaining skills and making connections in the biodiesel lab

For Duncan Schanz, a sophomore environmental science major at Loyola University Chicago, securing an internship at the university’s Searle Biodiesel Lab was more than just a resume booster; it was an opportunity to contribute to sustainability efforts and gain valuable hands-on experience.

Students Present Research at the Loyola Climate Change Conference

The Annual Loyola University Chicago Climate Change Conference includes a poster session that allows researchers to share their work. This year, several Loyola students participated, sharing posters on a broad range of topics. Presenters included SES student Eve Owens, who received the Loyola Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award.

How a class project became a dream job in Loyola's biodiesel lab

As a Loyola undergraduate, Zach Waickman enrolled in a class on solutions to environmental problems. Today, he oversees a campus operation producing 8,000 gallons of renewable fuel for campus shuttle buses annually.

Restoration Club Engages Students in Caring for Nature

Members of Loyola's Restoration Club enjoy working together to care for natural areas in the Chicago region.

Celebrating Our 2025 Graduates

Meet some of the graduates who exemplify the spirit of SES, demonstrating leadership, service, academic excellence, dedication to sustainability and social justice, teamwork, and determination to make a positive difference in the world.

Scholarship Honors Founding Dean Nancy C. Tuchman

This summer, Nancy C. Tuchman, PhD, founding dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), is retiring after dedicating more than three decades to advancing sustainability initiatives at Loyola University Chicago. In May, the University established the Nancy Tuchman Endowed Scholarship to honor her legacy.

At LUREC, immersive ecology courses foster learning and fun

Students learn about ecology while immersed in nature during classes at the Loyola Retreat and Ecology Campus.

Honoring Nancy Tuchman, founding dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability

Nancy C. Tuchman, PhD, retires in June 2025 as founding dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), leaving behind a decades-long legacy of leadership, innovation, and deep commitment to justice through ecological stewardship.

Immersive summer session offers fun, hands-on learning

Students have fun learning and form lasting friendships during immersive “Maymester” courses at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC). View our video to hear what students value about the experience.

Research

Researchers Find Muskrats Help Control Invasive Plants in Wetlands

A humble, semiaquatic rodent could help natural resource managers restore resilient, biodiverse wetland habitats.

An internship with impact: Loyola senior gains real-world experience in sustainability and food justice

As an intern with the Glenwood Sunday Market in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, Loyola senior Jameson Walker spent the summer helping expand access to healthy, locally grown food.

Summer internship offers hands-on experience with animal care and conservation

This summer, environmental science major Nat Kath spent the summer surrounded by snakes, salamanders, frogs, insects, and turtles. As an animal husbandry intern at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Kath gained hands-on experience with animal care and conservation.

SES students explore Ecuador's diverse ecosystems

The South American nation of Ecuador offers unrivaled opportunities to explore fascinating and diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to the captivating Galapagos Islands. SES faculty member and conservation biologist Mary Dinsmore, PhD, leads an annual study abroad trip that immerses students in the region's natural wonders.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Loyola

On October 13, Loyola University Chicago will honor Indigenous People’s Day with panel presentation exploring the status of Rights of Nature claims in tribal and U.S. courts and how these claims impact ongoing struggles for Tribal Sovereignty.

Student life

Policy internship provides career insights and hands-on experience

Hannah Davidson came to Loyola for graduate school because they were confident that the School of Environmental Sustainability offered supportive faculty mentors and unique opportunities for hands-on learning. Over the summer, Davidson gained valuable career insights as a policy intern with the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Powering the future: a Loyola grad’s career path in solar energy

Since completing a BS in environmental science in 2019, Loyola graduate Emily Hammermeister has built a career in solar energy.

Events

SES Seminar - What Happens to the Savings? Circularity, Sustainability, and Degrowth

Despite decades of progress under the banner of sustainability, nearly all of the critical planetary boundary indicators are at or nearing dangerous levels. Guest speaker John Mulrow, PhD, will argue that we should consider degrowth—a deliberate reduction in the size of the economy—as the context in which more circular and sustainable systems can deliver lasting reductions in ecological impact.

Events

SES Seminar - Data Centers and Communities: Social and Environmental Impacts

In this SES seminar, guest speaker Rachel Young will discuss the social and environmental impacts of data center growth. The discussion will also explore how affected communities are addressing these challenges to our built and natural environments.

Alumni

From campus greenhouse to community impact: a Loyola graduate’s path in urban agriculture

Bailey Uttich graduated from Loyola 2024 with a BA in environmental studies and minors in studio art and Spanish language. Today, she works as the aquaponics coordinator at Windy City Harvest, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program serving the South and West sides of Chicago.

Alumni

A Loyola alum finds purpose in data, food, and community

As an undergraduate in SES, Angelo Kelvakis enthusiastically sought out opportunities for hands-on learning. He got involved in the Urban Agriculture program and participated in faculty-mentored research projects. Today, he blends his interests in food systems and data analysis as a decision scientist at US Foods.

Loyola alum Sampson Hao builds a career in renewable energy

As a project developer at Recurrent Energy, Sampson Hao applies the knowledge and skills he developed at SES to manage solar energy projects across the country, and he regularly hears from colleagues who reference his published graduate research.

Faculty and Staff

Get to know Malini Suchak, the new dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability

Malini Suchak, the new dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability, comes to Loyola University Chicago from Canisius University in Buffalo, New York, where she served as a professor and chair of the Department of Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation.

Indigenous cropping systems of the Midwest and urban agriculture soil health in Chicago

The first SES seminar of the 2025-2026 academic year will feature Daniel Hayden, PhD, the Taylor and Paulette O’Malley Postdoctoral Scholar of Food Systems.

Student Life

Members of Loyola's Restoration Club care for natural areas on the University's 90-acre Retreat and Ecology Campus

Every other weekend, members of the Restoration Club load into vans and travel to the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) to spend a day removing invasive plants, enjoying the outdoors, and connecting with others who share their love of nature. The group is working to restore biodiversity on the 90-acre suburban campus, and having a lot of fun in the process.

Campus Sustainability

Loyola’s green roofs and rain gardens reap massive environmental dividends

Loyola’s green infrastructure network includes rain gardens, semi-permeable walkways and plazas, stormwater infiltration vaults, and a diverse collection of deep-rooted, sponge-like native plants.

Advice to New Students from Recent Grads

In August, we welcome new students to the School of Environmental Sustainability. Recent graduates shared their advice for members of the incoming class.

Research

Research Offers Insights for Enhancing Collaborations to Support Food Security

Loyola researchers examined how Chicago-area organizations collaborated to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their findings emphasize the importance of relationship-building and equitable resource-sharing in withstanding food system disruptions.

Solar Farm Ceremony Marks Milestone for University Clean Energy Commitment

On April 30, members of the Loyola community participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Double Black Diamond Solar Farm in central Illinois. The project contributes to the goals of Loyola’s Climate Action Plan, including achieving carbon neutrality.

student research

Students Uncover the Wild Side of Loyola’s Urban Environment

Despite Loyola's urban location, students studying conservation biology don't need to go far to observe a surprising variety of wild animals.

SES Leads Water Efforts at Loyola

With the current Flint water crisis and recent reports of lead in Chicago’s water supply, water has been a hot topic over the past several months. Though we still face water challenges on a local and national level, Loyola has been taking action to ensure quality, conscious water-use within our own campus.

Congratulations to the IES Class of 2017!

Our graduating seniors have taken to heart Loyola's mission of social justice. This year's Senior Award winners have worked for the Southeast Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke; developed an innovative way to clean waste water in our biodiesel lab; managed our farmers market; brought solar to our campus, and much more.

Achieving the Gold Standard

Loyola has participated in the STARS program since 2014, and currently holds a Gold STAR level rating received in February of 2017.

Climate Action

The Mayors Are Still In

North American Climate Summit shows that many Americans are ready to address climate change head-on.

SES Student Profile: McNair Scholar and first-generation college student Brittany Rivera

While some students relaxed over the summer, Brittany Rivera spent her time working as an LUREC intern researching invasive species and soil. Most days she worked with buckthorn and collected data on the wetland’s water table. Rivera used this internship to learn more habitat restoration.

STEP Class Highlight

SES student Sydney Stuenkel considers our unsustainable water use in this highlighted student paper.

STEP courses give students chance to make a difference

Students each semester in the Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP) class study, develop, and enact a service project to address a local environmental issue. The fun part? They get to pick the undertaking they want to study.

Profile

For this alum, it’s all about making an eco-friendly impact

For someone who didn’t plan on studying environmental science, Loyola alum Kelsey Horton has left her mark on the local green community. Horton, who graduated in 2012 and helped start the Loyola Farmers Market, now works at the Chicago-based Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

New tool could help track climate change

Loyola assistant professor Ping Jing, PhD, recently received a NASA grant to create a rating tool to measure the effects of climate change.

Program turns invasive plants into energy

Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability is working to turn invasive plants around the Great Lakes into different types of green energy.

The Amazon Synod: Plus Tard Sera Trop Tard

IES Professor Michael Schuck reflects upon the Catholic Church's recent Amazon Synod

Study of Microplastics in Migratory Birds Could Reveal a Broader Environmental Threat

Two Loyola researchers set out to explore the environmental impacts of microplastics by investigating how they accumulate in the digestive systems of birds. They found bits of plastic in the intestines of every bird they examined.

Support Loyola Students’ Sustainable Halloween Costume Contest

Loyola undergraduates Paul Schnell and Zach Neybert are calling attention to one of the scariest parts of Halloween: its environmental impact.

Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge

Courses Support Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Participants

The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge empowers Loyola students to envision, plan, and launch green businesses. Three faculty members shared how their spring semester courses complement the challenge.

The 2023 Climate Change Conference: Climate Refugees

On March 16, the Loyola University Chicago Climate Change Conference will explore how climate-driven migration impacts communities globally and locally.

Student Research

Undergraduate Mikayla Ballard Studies Invasive Crayfish in Chicago’s Waterways

Mikayla Ballard, a junior studying environmental science, is researching invasive crayfish and pollution in Chicago's North Shore Channel.

Summer Courses Offer a Fun and Immersive Learning Experience

Immersive summer courses at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) give students the opportunity to learn via hands-on, place-based education and deepen their appreciation for the natural world. Explore our class offerings for the May 2024 session.

A spotlight on the Class of ’25: Ramblers reflect and prepare for new horizons

With the Loyola University Chicago 2025 commencement ceremonies just weeks away, graduating students and their families stand at the cusp of a historic rite of passage. Graduating seniors including SES environmental science major Mia Rogalski reflected on her most cherished college memories.

Film Screening Explores Life on Islands Threatened by Climate Change

The Loyola Climate Change Conference kicked off with a screening of the film We Are Tuvalu in the Damen Cinema. The film offered a glimpse at life in the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, where rising sea levels threaten to displace people and forever change their way of life.

Restoration

IES awarded $500,000 US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant

Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability was awarded a $500,000 US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant to implement an innovative coastal wetland restoration, invasive plant management, and renewable bio-energy production project: Furthering capacity to maintain high quality coastal wetlands in Northern Michigan.

Events

Waste Week Explores Options for Cutting Back on Trash

February 10 through 14 is Waste Week at Loyola, an annual event focusing on the University's efforts to reduce the amount of waste generated on campus.

Campus Sustainability

Loyola University Chicago Achieves Carbon Neutrality on its Campuses

Loyola University Chicago announced today that it has achieved carbon neutrality on its Chicago-area campuses, becoming the first university in the Chicago area to achieve carbon neutrality.

Student Research

Conservation in action: students engaged in environmental research

Researchers from Loyola University Chicago's School of Environmental Sustainability are devising new methods of restoring biologically diverse wetlands. Students contribute to the research while learning to become independent scientists.

News

Loyola University Chicago named a top 25 green college by Princeton Review

Loyola University Chicago was recognized in the top 25 U.S universities for its commitment to campus sustainability, ranking #12 in The Princeton Review’s “Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition.” The guide recognizes colleges and universities that prioritize environmental engagement. Earning a Green Rating of 99/99, Loyola is the highest-ranked Jesuit institution and the top school in Illinois on the list.

Students

SES Senior Thomas Crabtree Receives the Loyola President’s Medallion

The Loyola University Chicago President’s Medallion honors one student from each college, school, and institute who excels in leadership, scholarship, and service. This year, the award for the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) went to Thomas Crabtree, a senior from Annapolis, Maryland.

Students

Supporting a Robust Food System in Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood

In the summer of 2024, Loyola student Emma Pierce embarked on an eye-opening internship experience at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago in the city's Woodlawn neighborhood. The internship is part of the Partners in Chicago Food Systems program, a School of Environmental Sustainability effort that supports local organizations working to increase food sovereignty in Chicago communities.

Sowing Seeds, Reaping Rewards for the Planet

Graduate student Blessing Aleladia is training to take on global environmental challenges. While pursuing her master's degree in environmental science and sustainability, she is building expertise and experience in the ecological restoration of vital wetland ecosystems.

Community Engagement

Loyola Honors Indigenous Peoples' Day

On October 14, over 150 attendees gathered for Loyola University Chicago’s second annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day event, hosted by the School of Environmental Sustainability. The event highlighted Indigenous rights and environmental justice.

A Growing Collaboration Supports Indigenous Environmental Justice

Loyola University Chicago students and faculty are collaborating with leaders of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to advocate for environmental and social justice. The partnership started when Michael Schuck, PhD, introduced a new course on indigenous environmental justice.

SES Seminar: The Energy Transition in Illinois

On October 16, the School of Environmental Sustainability will hold a seminar examining the policies and processes behind the transition to renewable energy in Illinois. Anthony Star and Kelly Turner from the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) will shed light on how the state manages electricity procurement, and how the state is increasingly moving toward electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Student research

Studying Air Pollution from the Ground Up

Loyola’s Community Air Research Experience (CARE) is engaging students from underrepresented backgrounds in hands-on environmental research and fostering their passion for geoscience. Students collect real-time data about air pollution in the Chicago area and shares their findings with the community.

Alumni

Meet the SES Alum Fighting International Wildlife Crime

SES alum Monique Sosnowski, PhD, develops strategies to enforce laws and regulations that protect endangered and threatened wildlife. 

Alumni

Fostering a love of nature

Loyola alum Megan McCawley connects people with nature at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.

Alumni

Spreading Knowledge to Stop Aquatic Invasive Species

Natalia Szklaruk earned her master's degree from Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability in 2023. She now works as an aquatic invasive species educator at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. She shared her thoughts about how her education prepared her for a career in aquatic ecology and conservation.

Events

SES Launches a Seminar Series with a Presentation on Food Systems

This fall, the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) will launch a new seminar series, starting with a presentation on just, equitable, and circular food systems. Over the academic year, SES will host five seminars, with one on each of the school's five focus areas.

Alumni

Advancing Conservation through Soil Science

Garrett Klepitsch graduated from Loyola in 2017 with a bachelor's in environmental science. Today, he is pursuing his passion for conservation as a soil scientist with the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Student Research Advances Ecological Restoration

Undergraduates in the School of Environmental Sustainability prepare for meaningful careers while contributing to vital ecological research. Environmental science major Madeline Palmquist studies how invasive plants impact wetland birds in the Great Lakes region.

Loyola Students Visit the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

A group of Loyola students visited the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation to foster a deeper connection with the Lakota People. The trip allowed students to learn firsthand about the indigenous nations’ continuous struggle with the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Celebrating Roberta Lammers-Campbell, PhD, a Leader in Restoration Ecology

This November, Loyola students, faculty, staff, and community volunteers came together to recognize Roberta Lammers-Campbell, PhD, professor emerita, for leading ecological restoration efforts at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus.

Loyola Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day

On October 11, Loyola University Chicago held an event to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day and unveil new signage displaying the university’s Land Acknowledgement Statement. Nearly 90 people gathered to hear from a panel of local Indigenous leaders and view the signs, which feature illustrations by Native American artist Buffalo Gouge.

Announcing the 2024 Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge

This October, Loyola kicks off the third year of the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge. The challenge invites Loyola students to envision, plan, and launch green business ventures.

SES Urban Agriculture Program Celebrates 10 Years

The School of Environmental Sustainability's Urban Agriculture Program is celebrating 10 years since its founding. The program provides food for local farmers' markets and restaurants and serves the community through donations to local food pantries. View our latest video to learn more.

Restoring Biodiverse Wetlands

At the northern tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula, researchers from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability are devising new methods of restoring biologically diverse wetlands. They recently secured more than $1.1 million in federal funding for a large-scale project that could inform wetland management practices throughout the Great Lakes region.

Loyola Receives STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability

Loyola University Chicago has earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in recognition of the University's sustainability achievements.

Students Explore Nature’s Classroom

This summer, students learned about ecological principles, explored Northern Illinois’ diverse natural areas, and encountered local wildlife during an intensive three-week session at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus.

Student Research

Students Study Food Justice in the Chicago Region

Several SES students have engaged in research that aims to contribute to a more just food system.

Andreas Carlgren, former Swedish minister for the environment, examines the issues at play in the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21)

How can we develop international agreements to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions? Will the Global Climate Summit in Paris (COP21) be a success or a failure?

Climate Change Conference

Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy named as Keynote Speaker for our 2018 Climate Change Conference

As the head of EPA under President Obama, McCarthy led historic progress to achieve the administration’s public health and environmental protection goals and the Climate Action Plan. McCarthy will give the Keynote Address at our 2018 Climate Change Conference on March 15, 2018 at 7 p.m. in Jo Ann Rooney Hall.

STEP Class Highlight

SES senior Caitlin Dillon reflects on preparing a sustainable meal in our fast-food culture.

Understanding the Pope’s encyclical

Pope Francis released his encyclical on climate change Thursday. Read what Loyola’s Nancy Tuchman, PhD, has to say about the Pope’s environmental call to action.

Loyola Earns AASHE Gold Rating

This spring, Loyola achieved GOLD status through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Ratings System (STARS). The STARS rating system is evaluated by reviewing a college’s curriculum, research, campus engagement, public engagement, operations (air & climate, buildings, dining services, energy, grounds, purchasing, transportation, waste, and water), and planning an administration. There are 650 institutions that have registered for the AASHE STARS reporting tool, and Loyola is one of only 61 schools that have received the GOLD ranking. Loyola is the first Jesuit institution to achieve this level.

Searle Biodiesel Lab receives award

On July 21, the School of Environmental Sustainability’s Searle Biodiesel Lab was honored along with four other Chicagoland organizations by the Environmental Protection Agency. The five were among 21 recognized nationwide with the 2015 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award.

Loyola's campus is more friendly for migratory birds

Over the last several years the SOAR project has identified the large east facing windows of the Norville gym as being particularly dangerous for migrating birds.

Urban Agriculture

SES student helps Rogers Park and Edgewater restore butterfly population

Last fall, a new program started at Swift Elementary School in Edgewater. Fourth grade students spent the afternoons outside away from screens and electronics, reconnecting with the outdoors. The program taught students about sustainable gardening, and specifically showed them how planting milkweed can save the monarch butterfly population. Loyola’s very own Marina Garcia started the program.

Sustainable Living--Swedish Style

Unique study abroad program between the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) and the Newman Institute in Uppsala, Sweden offers students a new view of environmental studies.

Ecotoxicologist sought out during Vietnam disaster

This spring, Vietnam experienced a massive localized die-off of fish populations in the waters off of four coastal provinces, a disaster that sparked rare protests across the country and affected thousands of people. IES (now SES) ecotoxicologist Tham Hoang, PhD was tapped by the Vietnam Environmental Administration to provide expert advice.

Environmental Policy

My Top Five: SES Student Rachel Monsey ‘18 reflects on her experience at COP 22 in Marrakech

In November, a cohort of SES Students studying abroad at the Newman Institute in Sweden attended the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco. Here, Environmental Policy major Rachel Monsey tells us her top five takeaways from her experience at COP 22.

Sustainability Awards Round-Up

2016 was a stellar year for Loyola and sustainability initiatives across our campus. Take a look at some of the awards we received for the work the Office of Sustainability does on campus.

Student Reflections

Early Bird Gets the Worm

SES students gave a wonderful account of one early morning spent at the Boone Creek Conservation Area, near Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus doing bird counts for the McHenry County Audubon Society and the Bird Conservation Network.

Loyola Magazine

Hope is the thing with feathers

Despite several degrees and years of experience that indicate otherwise, Stephen Mitten, S.J., doesn’t think of himself strictly as a scientist. “I see myself more as a naturalist,” he says. “I’m an ambassador for the environment.” As spiritual director and resident ecology faculty at Loyola’s Retreat and Ecology Campus, Fr. Mitten teaches several biology and conservation courses. But his real love is avian ecology.

Using Hemp Plants to Remove Lead from Soil

Many yards and gardens in Chicago have dangerously high levels of lead in the soil. That means playing in the backyard or growing vegetables could come with a risk of lead poisoning. SES staff member Kevin Erickson studied how hemp plants can remove lead from contaminated soil. He talked about his research on WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio.

Correcting the Record

With so much climate misinformation circulating, how can you separate fact from fiction? Lean how Loyolans are working to spread accurate, mobilizing information about climate change.

Catching Up with Last Year’s Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Winners Part 3: Fusion Foods

The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge engages Loyola students in planning and launching green ventures. As the 2023 challenge gets underway, we checked in with last year’s third-place winner Jonathan Ostroff to learn more about his sustainable food enterprise, Fusion Foods.

SES Alum Zach Samaras Tackles Waste

Zach Samaras discovered a passion for waste management while working on his master's degree at Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability. He now helps companies and organizations reduce waste as a technical assistance engineer with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Harvesting Knowledge

Loyola University Chicago’s Urban Agriculture Program combines education, hands-on experience, and community engagement. Student workers and volunteers learn about sustainable food production and gain real-world experience growing and selling produce. The program also offers students opportunities to build leadership skills and manage projects. Meet the current student leaders working as urban agriculture program assistants.

The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Invites Students to Launch Green Ventures

As we kick off the academic year, we are happy to announce an exciting opportunity for Loyola students to bring their ideas for sustainable business to life through the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge. The challenge is a year-long immersive learning experience for Loyola students who want to envision, plan, launch, and scale eco-friendly ventures or products. Teams will pitch their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges in April 2023. The winning teams will receive up to $20,000 in prize money to launch their ventures. To learn more, attend an online information session on Wednesday, September 28, at noon, or join the kickoff event on October 14 at 5:30 p.m.

Our Green Campuses

Loyola's sustainability efforts extend far beyond the classroom. Explore the environmentally sustainable features of our three campuses.

High School Students Explore Environmental Sustainability at SES

This summer, Loyola welcomed high school students from all over the country for the Theology of Healing Earth in Action (THEA) Institute, a week-long college preparatory retreat program focused on environmental sustainability. The THEA Institute invites rising high school juniors and seniors to Loyola to explore their gifts and reflect on how they can help build a world rooted in spiritual grounding, community, and sustainability.

Two Decades of Sustainability at Loyola

Summarizing all that Loyola has done on the sustainability front over the past two decades is a tall order; a commitment to the planet's health has become a lodestar for University leadership, influencing decisions massive and marginal. This commitment is seen clearly in Loyola's campus, one of the greenest in higher education.

Immersive Learning Fuels a Passion for the Natural World

The School for Environmental Sustainability offers unique opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experiences. During intensive summer courses at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC) students get their hands dirty, deepen their appreciation of the natural world, form new friendships, and gain memories that will last a lifetime.

Loyola Faculty Members Discuss Integral Ecology at an International Gathering in Rome 

In the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called for the world to take action to protect the natural ecosystems and adopt a worldview that recognizes the connections between sustainability and social justice. This June, Loyola faculty members presented at an international conference that brought leaders from Catholic institutions together to discuss the challenges of putting Laudato Si' into practice.

Watch this Blessing of SES from the Vatican

We are honored to have Father Josh Kureethadam provide SES with a Vatican Blessing.

The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge Finalists

This year on Earth Day, teams of Loyola University Chicago students will pitch their ideas for sustainable businesses to a panel of expert judges in the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge. The top teams will win funds to help them launch their environmentally friendly ventures.

Student Government Honors SES Student

This spring, the Student Government of Loyola Chicago (SGLC) held a year-end banquet to honor members who have shown extraordinary leadership. School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) student Beth Thilges received the Ignatian Leadership Award for her outstanding accomplishments this year as the chair of the SGLC Sustainability Committee.

Congratulations to the Winners of the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge

On Earth Day, Friday, April 22, six teams of Loyola students pitched their eco-friendly business plans to a panel of expert judges in the final round of the Abram's Sustainable Business Challenge. The three winning teams received cash prizes to help them launch their sustainable ventures. Meet the finalists and learn more about their inspiring enterprises.

Ozone expert brings science down to Earth for students

Professor Ping Jing of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability recently received Loyola’s Excellence in Teaching Freshmen Award. Read more about the classes she teaches and what lessons she hopes to instill in her students.

Recognition

Tuchman honored with Chicago magazine’s 2013 Green Award

Loyola's Nancy Tuchman, PhD, is one of five winners of Chicago magazine’s 2013 Green Awards, honoring unsung locals whose innovations are putting Chicago on the national map and doing something good for the earth.

Watch this Blessing of SES from the Vatican

We are honored to have Father Josh Kureethadam provide SES with a Vatican Blessing.

Alumni

Walk Softly

Loyola alums running a farm and retreat center in West Virginia live in harmony with the earth—and their community.

2019-2020 Annual Report

Exercising Resistance

Launching the new school of sustainability during COVID-19, how far the school has come, and its vision for the future.

Expert Series

Expert Series: Addressing Climate Change

Founding Dean of SES andLoyola Expert, Nancy Tuchman, shares how universities and concerned citizens can address climate change.

Environmental Health

The Plastic Detectives

Microplastics are in the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and the water that we drink—what effect they will have on our ecosystems and health?

Environmental Health

Crayfish Hunters

Invasive species in Lake Michigan present an extremely harmful ecological problem, but one Loyola professor is working to stop the damage.

Sustainability at Loyola

Discover why we're one of the nation's greenest

The anti-gentrifiers

Not all parks are created equal—Loyola researchers are investigating the tricky balance between urban greening and displacement

Taking on invasive species

Assistant professor Reuben Keller, PhD, is an expert on invasive species—and he’s working on a new approach to try and solve this age-old problem.

SES student Conner Keeffe Blogs about her time at the Newman Institute in Sweden

SES (formally IES) students studying abroad in Uppsala, Sweden recently had the opportunity to begin their studies of forestry. Student blogger Conner Keeffe lets us follow along.

Youth climate activists strike for hope and aim to educate

Tokata Iron Eyes and Greta Thunberg have learned they have a lot in common. Both Thunberg and Iron Eyes are 16-year-old climate activists who are missing school in order to “fight for their futures and that of their children.” On October 6, the activists spoke to an audience of supporters that included SES Dean Nancy Tuchman and IES Professor Michael Schuck at Iron Eyes’s high school in South Dakota.

Congratulations to all of our IES Graduates!

It has been our great privilege to guide and mentor you through your development and watch you become the strong environmental scientists and advocates that you are. We are proud of your accomplishments, and grateful in return, for all you have taught us -- helping us to continue to grow as an Institute.

Loyola University Chicago honored among 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

CHICAGO and WASHINGTON D.C., September 25, 2019- Loyola University Chicago was honored for its achievements in sustainability by the U.S. Department of Education at an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Loyola, along with 53 other honorees were named a US Department of Education Green Ribbon School.

Loyola announced as 2019 USG NACDA Sustainability Award winner

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) have announced Loyola University Chicago as the winner of the fifth annual USG NACDA Sustainability Award. Loyola was chosen from a pool of three finalists and received the award for its work on the Alfie Norville Practice Facility. The Sustainability Award will be presented to Loyola at an on-campus event this fall.

Introducing IES’s new graduate program: The Master of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability (MSESS)

A changing climate requires a changing professional. At the Institute of Environmental Sustainability, we are educating the next generation of professionals - environmental science and sustainability professionals who can apply an interdisciplinary approach to solve today’s environmental problems.

AWARD

Sienna Fitzpatrick Awarded President’s Medallion

IES Senior Sienna Fitzpatrick has been awarded the President’s Medallion for her steadfast commitment to leadership, scholarship, and service throughout her time at Loyola. Sienna received the award at the 2017 President’s Ball.

Healing Earth

Healing Earth wins Expanded Reason Award in Teaching Category

Organized by the University Francisco de Vitoria Madrid and the Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Foundation, the Expanded Reason Awards “seek to support and acknowledge those professors and researchers who are working to broaden the horizons of rationality through a dialogue between the sciences and philosophy and theology, grounded in the certainty that the fundamental questions of human life cannot be ignored by scientific rationality.” Healing Earth is one of four winners from a field of 367 submissions from 30 countries.

Urban Agriculture

Through the Loyola Lens: Savannah Webb

IES Alumni Savannah Webb ('16) used her Urban Agriculture skills and her psychology major while working at the Global Garden Refugee Training Farm. More than 40 families from Bhutan and Burma work the formerly vacant one-acre plot growing organic fruits and vegetables and selling them in Chicago.

STUDENT EXCELLENCE

Student leader committed to sustainability

President's Medallion recipient Christie Kochis has worked on several eco-friendly initiatives at Loyola and interned in the Office of Sustainability since 2013.

J-Term

J-Term at LUREC

Spend your January watching movies or learning how temperate plants and animals survive and thrive during winter. We have two January Term classes scheduled at Loyola University's Retreat and Ecology Campus this year. Go snowshoeing and study Winter Ecology with Dr. Roberta Lammers-Campbell or relax and watch movies with Dr. Milan Pribisic.

President's Medallion: She takes urban agriculture to new levels

Give Magdalena Nykaza an open space on campus, and she’ll likely turn it into a vegetable garden. Nykaza, who was one of the first interns at the student farm on Loyola’s Retreat and Ecology Campus, is heavily involved in the University’s urban agriculture program.

Weekend of Excellence

IES students take top honor at Weekend of Excellence

IES LUREC Biodiversity Research Interns Catherine Pacholski (Environmental Science 2015) and Samantha Keyport (Biology 2016) have won the STEM Outstanding Loyola Undergraduate Researcher Award for 2015 awarded at this year's Weekend of Excellence. Their research was titled Ecosystem Profile Assessment of Biodiversity at LUREC.

National rankings

Loyola is No. 4 on Sierra Club’s annual list of greenest colleges

This year, Loyola finished near the top of the Sierra Club’s annual rankings of “Cool Schools”—making it one of the most environmentally responsible universities in the country.

Alumni

Back to the soil

Dave Miller (BS '75) and Stephan Rivard (BS '75, MD '79) founded Iroquois Valley Farms, which converts farmland back to an organic state.