Central Sustainability Alumni

Explore successful alumni who have participated in Central Sustainability at Central Michigan University, making significant strides in environmental sustainability and green initiatives.
Ava Brewer in a Maroon Cap and Gown standing underneath a brick archway that says Central Michigan University.

Ava Brewer

Ava is excited to graduate from CMU in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in integrative public relations. While at CMU, Ava was involved in the Honors Program, the Chippewa Marching Band as the trumpet section leader, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority as its Vice President of Programming and CMU Euchre Club as its PR chair. She worked as an account assistant for Rathbun Public Relations, a sustainability coordinator for Central Sustainability, a corporate and foundation relations intern for CMU Advancement, and a PR intern and office assistant for the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan. As a sustainability coordinator for Central Sustainability, Ava started its social media pages in fall 2022 and watched them grow in following and substance. She enjoyed working on other projects and initiatives beyond social media as well, including website building, event management, sustainability education and video production. Ava believes her time with Central Sustainability made it possible for her to earn a job at WM (Waste Management) after graduation because it allowed her to integrate sustainability into PR, giving her experiences setting her apart from other candidates.

Ava will start a communications and public affairs internship with WM after graduation, an opportunity she believes is the perfect culmination of her integrative public relations major and her passion for sustainability. She is excited to continue making the world a better place through sustainability communications!

Meghan VanDamme in a white dress and maroon cap and gown sitting on a brick ledge in front of the Central Michigan University seal.

Meghan VanDamme

Meghan graduated from Central Michigan University in Spring 2024, with a major in environmental engineering and a minor in leadership. While attending CMU, Meghan was involved in the Leadership Institute and many student organizations across campus.  She has worked on many projects with Central Sustainability, including expanding the composting program on campus, planning the campus race to zero waste, creating a sustainability map for campus, and conducting purchasing audits for the University.  She is most proud of helping create a community on campus that is more knowledgable and caring of sustainability related issues.  She plans to work as an Environmental Engineer, and continue shifting perspectives and educating others about sustainability. 

Claire DeBlanc wearing a while dress with a maroon gown holding a rolled up diploma in front of a brick wall with a sign that says Dow Science.

Claire DeBlanc

Claire graduated with honors in Spring 2024 with majors in environmental studies and political science, and a minor in environmental science. She has been such a valuable member of our CS team, launching projects such as the reusable cup incentive program, expanding the campus composting systems, co-coordinating the 2024 Hackathon Reimagined to be sustainability-focused, and passing legislation to restrict the usage of single-use items at campus events, and helped with regular programming.

She is most proud of "working with an incredible team to get more people involved in sustainability and increasing access to sustainability projects and programs within the campus community."

Claire plans to pursue her passions in sustainability through her role as a Sustainability Intern for Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Eric Urbaniak in a maroon cap and gown standing in front of the CMU seal in front of Warriner Hall.

Eric Urbaniak

In spring 2023, Eric graduated from CMU with dual degrees in biology and public & nonprofit administration, with a certified nonprofit professional credential. Now, Eric is pursuing a master's degree in natural resources at the University of Vermont with a concentration in environment, society, and public affairs. Urbaniak is researching national trends around climate action and higher education carbon pricing mechanisms. He is also part of the newly formed Sustainable Solutions Lab at UVM, where he and other students use campus as a living laboratory to implement socio-ecological programs and policies. In his free time, Eric drums with a Brazilian drum group, Sambatucada, plays on an intramural volleyball team, and spends his weekends hiking new trails in Vermont!

Teresa Homsi in a brown dress standing in front of a blurred out background.

Teresa Homsi

Teresa graduated from CMU in 2022 and now works as environmental journalist for WCMU Public Radio. At CMU she studied journalism and environmental studies. She was one of the two students that brought Central Sustainability from a concept to reality.  She worked on many projects within the Central Sustainability office, and has left a lasting positive impact on the Central Michigan University community.