When Michael Hanson ’24 (Environmental Studies) first learned about SUNY New Paltz’s Sustainability Ambassadors program through a campus newsletter in 2022, he proudly answered the call to serve the University through raising awareness of sustainable practices. 

“I knew I had to be a part of a team dedicated to making the world a better place,” he said.  

Hanson then went on to become lead for the program’s Bike Friendly University Sustainability Ambassador Team, which seeks to promote the health, economic, mobility and environmental benefits of biking versus driving as a mode of transportation.  

The Bike Friendly team formed in fall 2023, and their efforts to spearhead biking culture and infrastructure on campus led to recognition from the League of American Bicyclists — the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike — as a Bronze Bike Friendly University last year. 

“I’ve always been passionate about biking, which is a great way to lower carbon emissions,” he said. “I’m glad I was involved in this team and helped move the ball forward on this issue.” 

Through his work as a New Paltz sustainability ambassador through the Office of Campus Sustainability, Hanson not only brought education on biking to spaces across campus, but on other environmental matters as well.  

Using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as a model, Hanson and his fellow ambassadors spread the word about multifaceted sustainable practices designed to create a brighter and greener future for all around the world.  

Recently, Hanson began a role as an educator in New York State’s Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation department in the Long Island region, where he will extend his passion for environmentalism to lead hikes, aid in other programs and, eventually, create his own programs.  

“I’m bringing sustainability to my home, which is an honor and a privilege,” he said.  

Hanson is working to develop programs educating residents in and around his hometown of Centerreach, New York on making important, environmentally-friendly lifestyle changes geared towards bettering the world. 

In this role, he sees a responsibility to help his fellow residents understand why sustainability matters. 

“It's difficult to change your lifestyle, but I think there comes a point where you realize that you're really benefiting your environment and that does more for you than doing the old thing you were doing,” he said. “If you frame the importance of sustainability as something that helps the world around you, more people respond.” 

New Paltz Honors Program, Office of Campus Sustainability were central to Hanson’s environmentalism 

Hanson was a student in the Honors Program during his time at SUNY New Paltz, which gave him a chance to explore his deep intellectual curiosity for environmentalism in a setting surrounded by like-minded peers. 

“As a shy kid, the Honors seminars gave me a chance to talk in front of my peers about issues I’m passionate about, and it was a wonderful experience in helping me put myself out there,” he said.  

When it came time to conceive his required Honors senior thesis in 2024, it was a no-brainer to look to the other program that made him the student leader he became. 

“I knew I had to hone in on the importance of communication and education, and how the two go hand-in-hand, in building a sustainable community and culture on campus and beyond,” he said. 

Mentored by his advisors, including Associate Professor Andrea Varga, Hanson’s project was both a tribute to all he accomplished as a sustainability ambassador and a roadmap for his successors. 

“His integration of his major work and research in environmental studies with a deep understanding and curiosity for the breadth of sustainability, and his motivation to take on leadership roles, demonstrates the kind of personalized, highly-engaged and impactful college experience we hope for students to have,” said Varga.  

The project included a display of materials in the Sojourner Truth Library intended to motivate current students to get involved with the program and give future educators resources for how to incorporate sustainability in the classroom. 

“That’s the most important part of this project for me - to take sustainability into a space where anyone on campus can go walk past and learn about it," said Hanson. 

While Hanson’s Honors Program thesis was primarily a solo effort, the grassroots work to build a sustainability culture at SUNY New Paltz has been built through generations of common coalitions, and the formation of an office to centralize efforts to promote sustainability across campus. 

Since it was founded more than 10 years ago, the Office of Campus Sustainability has successfully led efforts with input from students, faculty and staff to make SUNY New Paltz more fully green. 

These initiatives include a sustainability-centered curriculum, awareness campaigns within student communities and advancement of statewide and nationwide environmental legislation. The office also runs the Sustainability Ambassadors program, and student ambassadors like Hanson are the key to advancing these initiatives. 

“In his two-and-a-half years as a Sustainability Ambassador, Michael grew to become a change agent driving the University's efforts,” said Lisa Mitten, coordinator for the Office of Campus Sustainability. “As a Sustainability Ambassador, he focused student and employee attention on fostering a bike friendly University to enhance the overall student experience at SUNY New Paltz.”  

His experience gave him a foundation that he plans to use in his new endeavor and future ones too. 

“I learned how to talk to people about sustainability and the environment,” he said. “These are topics I’m incredibly passionate about, and I am grateful for the platform the Office of Campus Sustainability gave me.”  

Click here to learn more about the Office of Campus Sustainability at SUNY New Paltz.