Northern Arizona University
IN-2: Innovation 2

The Green NAU Energy Initiative (GNEI) has two full time dedicated staff that work to promote NAU campus sustainability in all facets related to utilities, including energy and water conservation through the campus wide sustainable behaviors program, renewable energy development, waste tracking and minimization, and GHG quantification and management. Due to our areas of focus and dedicated staff, GNEI is uniquely positioned to provide quality professional project based internships for students nearing their graduation. These internships fulfill a mutual need by providing an opportunity for students to gain experience and at the same time fulfill GNEI’s research needs for furthering NAU campus sustainability.

Since the creation of GNEI about a year and a half ago, we have mentored and supervised 17 interns with a range of interests. Twelve of the internships revolved around conducting research, assessment, or a feasibility study. Two internships were focused specifically on communications and outreach, and the remaining three interns assist GNEI with general program planning and implementation. Most of our interns are enrolled in either the Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies degree programs here at NAU. Under both programs, students must complete 150 internship hours in order to graduate, and GNEI is unique in that it aims to serve these students by providing an on campus opportunity to fulfill this requirement. When internship opportunities are created, we consider the circumstances and requirements under the Environmental Sciences or Environmental Studies program to better accommodate student and departmental needs.