About Us
Sustainability at the University of Michigan-Dearborn is a collaborative effort between multiple departments, organizations, and individuals.
Sustainability is a mindset and framework for ensuring current and future generations have equitable access to resources for a full and vibrant life without the exploitation of people, society or the environment.
Facilities Operations Sustainability & Energy Team
The Facilities Operations Sustainability & Energy Team aims to foster a university-wide culture of sustainability and enhance campus sustainability through education and awareness, strategic energy management, facilities operations, and student-led projects. The team is led by Energy Manager Sumit Ray and Assistant Sustainability Programs Manager Grace Maves, and is supported by the broader Facilities Operations department. Read more about the team below.
Grace is responsible for leading sustainability culture and behavior change initiatives for the University through collaborative educational experiences, events, trainings, and programs. She manages the UM-Dearborn Planet Blue Ambassador program, which introduces students, staff, and faculty to sustainability efforts at the University of Michigan and inspires them to get involved.
Prior to joining Facilities Operations at UM-Dearborn, Grace worked at Wayne State University in the Office of Campus Sustainability where she helped develop an award winning Compost Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with minors in Urban Sustainability and Urban Studies. Outside of the office, Grace enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and making memories with her friends and family.
As the Sustainability Communications & Engagement Intern with the Planet Blue Ambassador program, Zainab Bustani works to bring communities together in the fight toward a better future. She does this by organizing sustainability-related workshops and events, and making science-based and cultural understandings of sustainability more accessible.
Zainab is a senior Biochemistry student with aspirations of becoming an Integrated Science Teacher. Her interests lie in learning more about our metabolic mechanisms, healthcare, and environmental advocacy.
Zainab is also the Public Relations Coordinator for the Biochemistry Club and a volunteer research assistant for a faculty-led research project. In her free time, Zainab likes to watch the news to stay informed, read books, and test out different recipes.
Mira serves as a Sustainable Operations Intern for the Planet Blue Ambassador program. Her contributions include helping run an on-site community composting facility, assisting with Zero Waste university events, and advancing waste diversion efforts across campus operations.
Mira is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainability. Her academic interests focus on climate change, meteorology, and climatology, with a particular interest in understanding how Earth’s atmospheric systems influence environmental change and climate resilience.
She hopes to build a career focused on climate adaptation, environmental conservation, and protecting natural resources, particularly through work related to climate science and water conservation.
Outside of her academic and internship responsibilities, Mira is active in campus life as Vice President of the Environmental Scientists Student Association, a member of the Student Sustainability Coalition, and a
participant in multiple research projects involving sustainability initiatives for communities across Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering for environmental conservation efforts, creating art using a variety of different media, and traveling.
As the Sustainability Communications & Engagement Intern with the Planet Blue Ambassador program, Madi works to create communications content in support of on-campus initiatives and encourages participation in sustainable practices in order to advocate for a better future. Her work includes creating promotional content for events, contributing content for our monthly Campus Sustainability Newsletter, developing social media campaigns, and supporting engagement strategies that strengthen community involvement in sustainability efforts.
Madi is a Professional Writing & Rhetoric major, with a minor in Leadership & Communications in Organizations. Her interests lie in learning more about digital marketing, community engagement, and public relations.
Outside of her academic and internship responsibilities, Madi works as a UM-Dearborn Writing Center Consultant. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Lyceum Literary & Fine Arts Journal and the Social Media Coordinator of the Honors Program Student Organization. She is also involved with the Honors Newsletter and Wolverine Mentor Collective. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Nick serves as a Sustainable Operations Intern for the Planet Blue Ambassador program. In this role, he works to promote campus sustainability education, enhance ongoing sustainability projects, and develop new initiatives to improve environmental practices on campus.
Nick is a junior pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with a focus on geology. He aims to build a career in geomorphology and natural hazards, with a focus on how climate change impacts surface processes and environmental risks. His interests include understanding Earth’s dynamic systems and applying this knowledge to hazard mitigation and sustainable land-use planning.
Outside of his academic and internship responsibilities, Nick is active on campus as the Vice President of the Student Sustainability Coalition. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering for environmental conservation efforts, hiking, and traveling.
- Annah Frost > Sustainable Operations Intern (April 2025 - July 2026)
- Sasha Kindred > Sustainable Well-being Intern (May 2023 - August 2025)
- Natalie Albrecht > Sustainability Communication & Events Intern (Feb 2024 - April 2025)
- Bridget Lawson > Sustainable Operations Intern (May 2023 - Feb 2025)
- Naomi Uponi > Strategic Energy Management Student Coordinator (May 2025 - November 2025)
- Shubh Bhojak > Strategic Energy Management Student Coordinator (July 2024 - April 2025)
- Vishakha Ghaghada > Strategic Energy Management Student Coordinator (Feb 2023 - Aug 2023)
- Shreyas Ramprasad > Energy & Sustainability Student Coordinator (Oct 2021 - Jan 2023)
Key Departments and Centers
Environmental Interpretive Center
The Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC) promotes a healthy environment through education, applied research, community engagement and stewardship. The EIC’s educational programs and research activities focus on raising public awareness of environmental issues and developing and implementing strategies for creating cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities. It also serves as the heart of UM-Dearborn’s Interpretive Trails, a sprawling 120-acre nature preserve dedicated to education and conservation.
Engineering Sustainability Center
The Engineering Sustainability Center encompasses a group of faculty and students who facilitate collaborative research projects, and organize workshops and symposia to increase the awareness, visibility, and impact of sustainability activities.
Sustainability Newsletter Archives
Monthly updates and news about sustainability at UM-Dearborn.