Our Mission and Team
The Office of Sustainability plays a central role in advancing and tracking environmental stewardship at Butler. Through initiatives such as energy efficiency and clean energy, waste minimization and diversion, the Sustainability Leadership Cohort, campus farm, and Green Programs, The Office of Sustainability fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness among students, faculty, and staff.
Mission:
- To advance Butler University’s academic mission and strategic vision by identifying and implementing data-informed sustainability initiatives that are fiscally responsible, promote behavior change, create innovative educational experiences, and enhance our campus’ pursuit of environmental and social well-being.
Vision:
- To exemplify The Butler Way and inspire our community, institution, and the next generation of leaders to become change makers for environmental, social, and economic well-being.
Office of Sustainability Staff
I am a research ecologist by training, specializing in plant physiological ecology, ecosystem ecology, and urban ecology. I have a PhD in Ecology with a Minor in Statistics from the University of Wyoming and completed a postdoc at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In South Africa, I transitioned from studying carbon and water fluxes in the boreal forest into urban ecology studying the impacts of air pollution and subsequent deposition of pollutants on plant diversity in the Cape Town metro area.
After 3-years at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) as a Proposal Writer and Editor, I began my role as the Director of the Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability at Butler University. In this role, I was responsible for the oversight of the CUES programs such as the campus farm and student internships as well as assisting faculty and community partners with research, education, and community outreach activities that focus on urban ecology and sustainability.
In my current role as Executive Director of Sustainability, I lead sustainability strategy, planning, fundraising, and initiatives in service to the University’s strategic priorities and sustainability goals through cross-campus collaborations and community partnerships to inspire a culture of sustainability and propel an effective approach to achieving short- and long-term sustainability and carbon neutrality goals.
For more information on the Office of Sustainability and how to get involved, check out our website at: http://wazi.joe-yan.net/sustainability/.
I support the university as a content expert for campus sustainability, energy efficiency, and strategic sustainability planning and an advocate for sustainabiltiy initiatives. I coordinate with several different campus departments to develop a new iteration of Butler’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan to strategically align campus sustainability efforts with University Strategic Priorities and achieve sustainability and carbon neutrality goals . In cooperation with Facilities and other campus divisions, I measure and assess sustainability progress, using Second Nature’s Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform (SIMAP) and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) as primary reporting platforms. I graduated from Indiana State University, with a degree in Environemtnal Science. Go Dawgs!
MaCie’ specializes in sustainability, process improvement, and engagement of vulnerable communities. She holds a Master of Public Affairs with Lean and Green Belt Six Sigma certifications. Her professional background includes working with the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Sustainability, where MaCie’ spearheaded numerous initiatives that significantly reduced the city’s environmental footprint, enhanced the resilience of Indianapolis’ most vulnerable communities, and assisted in the development and tracking of Indianapolis’ first sustainability and resilience action plan, Thrive Indianapolis. MaCie’ also worked for MWBE consulting firm, Engaging Solutions, where she served as a Senior Project Manager and Community Engagement Leader, playing a pivotal role in driving monumental change and fostering public engagement of marginalized communities in planning and city development in Indianapolis and across the United States. Some of her noteworthy projects include project lead for Your Voice 2022, the first redistricting forum hosted in Indianapolis history, and community engagement lead for Eskenazi Health’s Health Equity Zone project aimed at assisting Eskenazi Health in creating three plans to address social determinants of health to improve the quality of life of three of Indianapolis most vulnerable communities. In addition, MaCie’ is a 2023-2024 Princeton in Africa Alum, where she spent a year based in Nairobi, Kenya, serving as the Business Planning and Analytics Fellow for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), where she aided the international nonprofit in sustainability reporting to the UN Global Compact and with internal process improvements and annual institutional planning. Due to her contribution to the city of Indianapolis and abroad, MaCie’ was a recipient of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 20 in their 20s for 2023. As a new team member to the Butler Sustainability Team, MaCie’s position will be focused on leading sustainability education and behavior change programming for students, faculty, staff, and community members.
As a community member, MaCie’ serves on the board for One Voice Martindale- Brightwood and Earth Charter Indiana and is a member of several community and service-driven organizations. MaCie’s passions and interests intersect with social impact, equity, and environmental issues. As a new team member to the Butler Sustainability Team, MaCie’s position will be focused on leading sustainability education and behavior change programming for students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Tim Dorsey began work as farm manager of the CUE Farm in 2011.
The Sustainability Leadership Cohort is an intentional internship model that focuses on peer-to-peer mentorship and community building. The SLC provides experiential opportunities for Butler students to practice real-world problem solving and learn tangible skills for professional development and career preparedness. Students in the SLC work on a variety of urban ecology and sustainability projects across campus and the community. Join the movement to create change.
Operational Sustainability Emissions Intern
Emilee Theofanopoulos, Energy Engineering and Environmental Studies ‘27
In her second semester working with the Office of Sustainability, Emilee is collecting campus emissions data related to transportation and evaluating EV charging feasibility. She has also been working on The Farm at Butler for two semesters.
Operational Sustainability Waste Intern
Lydia Verbrugge, Marketing ’26
Lydia works with the Office of Sustainability to analyze data and audit campus buildings on their recycling accessibility. She is also launching waste reduction and green education campaigns for students and faculty.
Blue’s Closet Thrift Store Interns
Giselle Varre, Strategic Communication: PR & Advertising ’25
Giselle is serving as the first Thrift Store Manager for the student-run Butler Thrift Store pilot. She is trailblazing efforts alongside her fellow interns and mentor committee to create a strong foundation for the store’s identity on campus and plan a series of pop-up events to prove the viability of a more permanent enterprising waste reduction and green education campaigns for students and faculty.
Lia Goss, Business Technology and Analytics ’27
Lia is working to pilot the Butler Thrift Store beginning with pop up events throughout the semester in hopes of increasing sustainability on campus and creating a space for community at Butler University.
Global Center for Species Survival (GCSS) Interns
The GCSS is a global conservation organization that assesses species population information, plans science-based conservation action, and mobilizes conservation efforts through governments, academia, and the private sector to improve global biodiversity.
Anna Lankisch, Biology ’26
Anna will be helping to identify and gather global members for marine-focused IUCN specialist groups. Marine taxa are highly underrepresented and under-prioritized in the conservation realm. With Anna’s support, the GCSS may begin planning and implementing conservation efforts for red listed marine species.
Molly Kubal, Biology ’26
Molly is helping to reassess moss species for IUCN Red-listing, which monitors extinction threats at both local and global scales. She also helps with media efforts to increase public outreach and develop conservation awareness.
Patachou Foundation Intern
Hannah Howard, Environmental Studies ’25
Patachou Foundation is an anti-hunger organization that prepares and serves healthy food for Indianapolis youth and increases their awareness, connection, and knowledge of food.
Hannah is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Patachou Foundation to determine their impact on the Indianapolis community and food system as a local, small-scale nonprofit. This assessment will be used as a toolkit for other food-based nonprofits in Indy, providing resources and programs implementable by all—further interconnecting organizations within the Indy Food Justice Movement.
FreeWheelin’ Community Bikes Intern
Freewheelin’ Community Bikes is a grassroots nonprofit organization that empowers Indianapolis youth and community members with skills and a passion for bikes to create a healthier, more connected Indy.
Nia Williams, Chemistry ’27
Nia is working on a second semester of developing outreach and donation programs to improve the equitable distribution of bikes to the Indianapolis community, help build knowledge for Indy youth, and create opportunities to volunteer.
Farm Assistants
Ryan Snyder, Biology ’25
Noah Giddings, Mathematics ’25
The Butler Sustainability Leadership Council (BSLC) serves as the guiding force behind Butler’s sustainability initiatives, ensuring that strategic priorities align with the University’s overarching mission. Comprised of diverse members from various departments, the BSLC actively shapes policies and decisions to foster a sustainable campus environment.
Julia Angstmann, Executive Director, Office of Sustainability/Convener
Bruce Arick, Vice President, Finance and Administration
Brenda Harrington, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources
Shelly Baldauf, Manager, Purchasing Office
Brooke Barnett, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
Todd Buerger, Associate Vice President, Office of Operations
Bethanie Danko, University Relations Associate, President’s Office
Lee Dicklitch, Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations, Athletics
Dean Esteves, Executive Director, Office of Strategic Engagement
Kathy Hankins, Director, Budgets and Financial Planning
Victoria Ochs, Marketing Specialist, Marketing and Communications
John Lacheta, Manager of Facilities Operations, Office of Operations
Michael Lofton, Senior Director, Community and Government Relations, Office of Strategic Engagement
Precious Nwokeleme, Dietitian, Bon Appétit
Bob Moss, Campus Engineer, Office of Operations
Chad Pingel, Butler University Trustee
Frank Ross, Vice President for Student Affairs
Danny Kibble, Senior Executive Director, DEI Initiatives and Engagement
Julie Lindeman, Assistant Director of Operational Sustainability, Office of Sustainability
MaCie’ Moore, Associate Director of Sustainability Education and Outreach
Tim Dorsey, Farm Manager
Shanna Stuckey, Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Sarah Hawkins, Executive Director for Foundation Relations, Office of Advancement
Hannah Howard, Butler Student, President of EcoReps Student Organization
Eloise Ayotti, Butler Student, SGA Sustainability Officer
Led by co-chairs Professor Jane Siegler and Professor Carmen Salsbury, the Sustainability Curriculum Faculty Group ensures that sustainability is embedded in the academic fabric of Butler University. With representatives from every college, the group focuses on integrating sustainability into coursework and programming, nurturing students to understand, recognize, and act on sustainability challenges.
Co-Leaders
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Sustainability Requirement Working Group
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Catherine Pangan, COE
Jane Gervasio, COPHS
Ann Bilodeau, CCOM
Wendy Meaden, JCA
Julia Angstmann, Office of Sustainability
Sustainability Curriculum Working Group
Carmen Salsbury, LAS
Jane Siegler, LSB
Julia Angstmann, Office of Sustainability