Sustainability Office
Kagin Commons
1600 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-696-8138
Comments & questions to:
sustainability@macalester.edu

about us
   

STAFF

Suzanne Savanick Hansen, Sustainability Manager - Suzanne earned her Ph.D. in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota, a master's degree in environmental management from Duke University, and a bachelor's degree in geology from Carleton College.  She developed the Sustainable Campus Initiative at the University of Minnesota and most recently worked for the Science Education Resource Center and as a visiting professor at Carleton College.  Her previous experience includes working for the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance and serving as an elected supervisor of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District.  She also currently serves on the Forum of Women in the Environmental Field's Board of Directors.  When she is not at work, she cross country skis, canoes, and tries to keep a garden alive at her family's farm in southern Minnesota.

Click here for information on Former Staff.

STUDENT WORKERS

Click here for student worker projects.

	Rachel Adler, ’10, is from Montclair, New Jersey. As the sustainability student worker in Campus Programs, she is currently working on organizing the SORC, creating organization brochures, planning events, and passing on information to student organizations through a monthly online newsletter.  She is interested in minimizing food and paper waste and getting more students involved in sustainability efforts by keeping them informed. She is also an active member of MPIRG and MJO.
	Guillermo Medina Benitez is an Economics and Japanese Double Major from Mexico.  As the sustainability student worker in the Alumni Office, he is currently working various items related to reunion and regional alumni chapters. He is interested in reducing the amount of waste that results from the mailings and alumni events. Guillermo is also involved in intramural sports and MASECA.
	Kaija Bergen is an International Studies and English major from Fort Collins, Colorado.  As a sustainability student worker in the library she is currently working on reducing paper waste, especially in regards to printing.  She is interested in sustainable approaches to learning through reading, food waste issues at Café Mac, and the ways in which sustainability relates to other environmental issues. Kaija also enjoys playing the band, playing bagpipes, and volunteering at the English Learning Center.
	Zoe Hastings, ’11, is Biology and Environmental Studies Double Major from Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  As the sustainability student worker for grounds, she is currently working on developing a tracking system for chemical, water, etc. use, and researching alternative landscaping projects such as rain gardens and organic yard waste composting. She is interested in plants, gardening, and food.  Zoe also enjoys playing hockey, playing with the African Music Ensemble, and living in the EcoHouse.
	Ainsley Judge, ’11, is a Geography Major, Environmental Studies Minor, and Urban Studies concentrator from Barrington, Rhode Island.  As the BikeShare Coordinator for MacBike, she is currently working on finding new bikes, repairing old bikes, doing basic maintenance on existing bikes, and constructing a trailer for students to rent. She is interested in promoting the use of bikes on campus and in the Twin Cities by making them more accessible and providing necessary tools to make commuting by bike easier.  Ainsley is an active member of MacBike and Ultimate Frisbee, and enjoys taking EXCO bike maintenance classes and volunteering at Sibley Bike Depot.
	Matt Kazinka, ’11, is an Environmental Studies major and Environmental Justice concentrator from Iowa City, Iowa.  As a sustainability student worker in facilities, he is currently working on the massive installation of energy-efficient light bulbs across campus and preparing for a reduced-waste move-out process in May. He is excited by sustainability because “it transcends the single-focus pursuit of environmental well-being to include economic prosperity and social justice.”  Matt also plays trombone in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, is an active member of MacCARES, and participates in cooperative living in the Veggie Co-op.
	Nicole Kligerman, ’10, is Latin American Studies Major and Political Science Minor from suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  As the sustainability student worker in the Purchasing Department, she is currently working on creating and implementing an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy and a Printing and Publishing Policy for Macalester, and looking at water purchasing.  She is interested in preventing the world from blowing up and doing her small part to improve life while it still exists.  Nicole also spends her time teaching English to adults, working on a research projects about privatization of natural resources, and trying to figure out what to do with her life.
	Abe Levine, ’11, is a Political Science Major from Beantown, Massachusetts.  As the sustainability worker in Café Mac, he is currently working on composting, reducing meat consumption, and making Café Mac one ecosystem.  He is interested in being a part of community where everybody sustains each other and no creative energy is lost.  be also spends his time as a part of Sitting at Mac, Mac Veggies, Mac Salsa, Mac Swing, as well as playing basketball, practicing Tai Ji, and giving and receiving compassion.
	Natalie Locke, ’11, is an Environmental Studies and Geography Double Major from Portland, OR.  As the sustainability worker in the Sustainability Office, she is currently working on food waste reduction programs and the organization of Recyclemania, in addition to picking up the odds and ends of bigger projects.  She is interested in making Macalester a zero-waste campus, exploring options for organic waste, and promoting sustainable eating habits.  Natalie also enjoys playing with the African Music Ensemble, attending MacCARES meetings, baking cookies, and attending an occasional bluegrass concert.
	Seth McIntire is Physics Major and Mathematics Minor from Seattle, Washington.  As the sustainability student worker in the heating plant, he is currently working with an infrared camera to look at the heating of all building across campus and their heating apparatuses.  He is interested in energy efficient sciences and methods, and figuring out what is sustainable at a mechanical and systems level. Seth also enjoys being a member of the varsity swim team, playing club water polo, and playing intramural soccer and dodgeball.
	Hannah Rivenburgh, ’10, is an Environmental Studies and Humanities, Media, and Cultural Studies Double Major with focuses on Environmental Justice and Media. As the sustainability student worker in the Civic Engagement Center, she is currently working on environmental literacy for kindergarteners through third graders in Saint Paul Public Schools.  She is interested in environmental justice, food and agriculture, urban farming, slow food, creative justice, and weatherization.  Hannah also spends time working in Infoshop and the MULCH community garden.
	Ellie Rogers, ’09, is Environmental Studies major and Biology and Religious Studies minor from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. A s a sustainability worker in the library, she is working on ways of reducing and reusing the “exorbitant flow of paper through the library.” She is also interested in plants and books. In addition to working in sustainability, Ellie is in Mac Jazz, Saxy Ladies, MacCARES, and acts as an Environmental Studies student representative.

Macalester College · 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105  USA · 651-696-6000
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