Each year, the Climate School Office of Undergraduate Programs receives Department Honors for its outstanding academic achievement in the Sustainable Development Program. This year, four students were selected: Rachel Brzezicki, Harrison Gerson, Esha Karam and Yoon Kim. As recipients of department honors, all students maintained a 3.7 GPA in the main course and received at least a B+ in the two semesters of the Advanced Papers Seminar.
For this spotlight, we met with Brzezicki, Gerson and Karam for their time and post-graduation plans in Colombia.
Rachel Brzezicki’s Q&A
Originally from Kent County, Delaware, Brzezicki is very interested in environmental and climate justice, coastal resilience, as well as green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. As an undergraduate student in Colombia, Brzezicki is the president of the Sustainable Development Student Union and a member of Gamma Phi Beta and Partners. She also works in two research groups, namely Jerry McManus’ Paleocult Laboratory of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and MADAJEWICZ at the Climate Schools Climate Systems Research Center.
This summer, Brzezicki will work at the Green Mount School program at Columbia Climate School, as the host of the program, and then head west to Colorado for a trip, work and volunteer. In her free time, Brzezicki loves to find new shows and movies to watch, hike, camp and try new things. After graduation, she was most excited to take the time to slow down, try new hobbies and learn more about herself.
Which course in the Sustainability sector is most influential in shaping your academic trajectory?
The Bangladesh Summit Seminar is unforgettable. This is a great lesson that ultimately makes me in the planning time, especially because it brings together aspects and nuances of the physical science and social dimensions of climate change. We had to spend the entire rest time with a great group of students from Dhaka University, which made the experience particularly special.
Additionally, building climate justice with Paul Gallay allows us to work with real organizations in New York City to work to improve their communities. The course consists of a semester project in which we learn and apply a variety of skills such as GIS and statistical analysis for real environmental justice issues and resilience planning work along the coast. Environmental data analysis with Elizabeth Cook was challenging, but it also gave me an idea of tools that have proven useful for my projects.
How does your advanced paper (required for departmental honors) affect your perception of sustainable development and future goals?
For my advanced paper, I explore how public engagement shapes Tibbetts Brook’s program at Van Cortlandt Park, currently the largest green infrastructure project in the United States, and it caught my attention, local local organizations and activism in providing better alternatives to the community, even in the efforts of these efforts, even in the numerous support and implementation. Working on this project has solidified that I love doing research and want to pursue a PhD at some point!
What do you want SDEV freshmen to know when leaving Colombia?
You’ll figure out how to succeed here, so don’t worry about taking some time to find your footing initially. Impostor syndrome is real! But try not to let it prevent you from underestimating yourself. Don’t overdo your classroom and GPA so that you won’t take advantage of all the other unique opportunities in Colombia.
Take advantage of courses that can learn and build skills (GIS, R, Python), as well as courses that provide travel opportunities! The project-based courses I took were the most transformative and provided me with obvious examples to talk about in a job interview.
Harrison Gerson’s Q&A
Gerson, who majored in Sustainability and received a minor in Hispanic culture at Columbia College, recently played in Earth State after receiving the Stuart Gaffin Sustainability Leadership Award this year.
Currently, Gerson is managing a chapter on the urban circular economy of the Barnard College Office of Sustainability and is working with the Laidlaw Scholarship Foundation to develop and implement sustainability plans. Gerson plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental policy. You can read more about him here and in the interview below.
Which courses are most influential in shaping your academic trajectory?
I really like the seminars and the summit. I took a New York City watershed course with Paul Gallay and it was really exciting when I came from the Hudson Valley. I have the opportunity to learn about the waterway learning that will bring sustainable and equitable water use in my area. I also really enjoyed the group dynamics with Jenna Lawrence and Cape May Point Science Center.
The dissertation course helped me explore the impact of sustainable development projects abroad and become a better researcher. I thank my mentor Jacqueline Klopp. I really like the Cuttyhunk Island Workshop at Jason Smerdon and Sandra Goldmark. Since we were in close proximity for three nights, I learned a lot about my peers’ interests and how to work with sustainability co-leadership. I also like Michael Gerrard’s climate change policy and law class at Law School because it gave me a better understanding of what the graduate school looks like. I really like my education.
How does your advanced paper affect your perception of sustainable development and future goals?
My advanced thesis focuses on the impact of university globally on sustainability and climate leadership. I discussed the role of universities abroad with 25 university staff from 10 cities and six universities. This work inspired me to continue my career in climate mediation, working with different political parties, prioritizing sustainability and community empowerment. My work continues to be interdisciplinary.
What was your greatest achievement in Colombia?
My greatest achievement is that I become more myself. From a physical point of view, I was able to enter 20 countries with support from Colombia. My first international flight was through Colombia! I’ve been working on three years.
Q&A with Esha Karam
Esha Karam has always known that she is interested in sustainability. At high school in Nashville, Tennessee, Kalam was involved in building green roofs. In Columbia, in addition to her sustainability major, Esha also serves as the Director Editor of Columbia Daily, a newspaper in Columbia.
Kalam will attend Harvard Law School from the fall.
Which course in this department is most influential in shaping your academic trajectory?
Three classes attracted me the most: sustainability and the meaning of location, workshops on sustainable development and energy law. Practical courses, sustainability and location implications are great ways to meet other sustainable development professions while gaining first-hand knowledge. Our class went to Cuttyhunk Island where we experienced the beautiful scenery and learned from the locals. For similar reasons, I love the workshops on sustainability – meeting fellow citizens and working on a project with tangible elements outside our Colombian bubble. Finally, I like Energy Law, which is the Columbia Law School course offered through the Sustainability Program because it allows me to consolidate my desire to pursue a legal career and understand the environment of the law school.
How does your advanced paper affect your perception of sustainable development and future goals?
My advanced thesis focuses on how universities implement decarbonization strategies. As the broader economy hopes to pursue decarbonization and net zero goals, I decided to use my way of working American universities to investigate a small part of the effects of decarbonization. I learned a lot from writing my paper, which is not only about my research topic, but also involves different research strategies and methods. My work also gives me a more comprehensive understanding of how to make changes within the organization.
What advice do you have for students who want to complete a sustainable development program?
Sustainability is one of the easier specialties in Colombia that allows you to explore different avenues based on your personal interests. Ensure balance is to find your own niche and broaden your coverage.
Don’t think you need to figure it out! Take some time to explore your interests both inside and outside the classroom.
Although Kim is unable to provide a personal statement, we want to recognize and celebrate her outstanding achievements. King completed her senior paper on the Sustainability Plan, “The Impact of U.S. National Policy on Community Solar Energy Development” and received departmental honors for her academic achievement in her major.
