Climate and Sustainability Academy Newsletter

The Climate and Sustainability Academy (CaSA) celebrated its first anniversary on Dec 2 at the Gregg Museum of Art and Design. NC State faculty, staff, students and partners gathered to enjoy an evening of connecting and celebration.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Rebecca Ward, Director of the Coastal Community Resilience Immersive Training (C-CRIT) Program. With years of experience in applied community resilience and climate adaptation, Rebecca has created two impactful courses open to both undergraduate and graduate students this Spring 2026 semester.

CaSA is excited to sponsor a new sustainable design challenge at this year’s Make-A-Thon, NC State’s annual sustainability innovation competition. Inspired by the work of Northwestern University professor Lucia Stein-Montalvo—whose research explores climate-adaptive kirigami structures—students are invited to reimagine the structure’s current plastic material with a more durable, sustainable alternative. Select designs may inform a future demo installation at The Corner on Centennial Campus, bringing student innovation into a real-world campus setting.

CaSA is offering a $1,000 prize for the top design, and Stein-Montalvo will return to campus to mentor teams and help judge submissions, alongside faculty from the Wilson College of Textiles, the College of Natural Resources and more.