Student Fellows

This fellowship will focus on amplifying the work of The Shi Institute and increase the culture of sustainability across campus. Responsibilities include sustainability campaign implementation, event planning, liaising with student organizations, and coordinating content creation from all Shi student fellows.  This fellow will work closely with the Shi Institute’s Communications Coordinator to maintain The Shi Institute’s social media outlets, student fellows blog, website, newsletter, and other communications and advertising.  Enthusiasm about sustainability, basic graphic design skills, writing skills, and an interest in generating collaboration on campus are required for this position.

This Fellow will contribute to Furman’s goal of carbon neutrality by promoting alternative transportation and working to reduce driving on campus. This includes promoting biking on campus, advocating for increased trolley and bus riding, and working with stakeholders to shift driving patterns. This student will be responsible for coordinating the Paladins on Bikes rental program and will also undertake a year long, independent project to impact the transportation culture on campus. This position requires 10 hours of work a week to take place at the Shi Institute offices.

This fellow will help track sustainability metrics for Furman through two main activities: the STARS report and The Green Office program. This fellow will also help complete Furman’s institutional sustainability report using the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System. STARS is a tool for assessing Furman’s commitment to sustainability across all sectors of campus and solidifies our reputation as leader in campus sustainability. This fellow will also coordinate the employee Green Office Program, aimed at educating and encouraging sustainable office practices. An interest in data analysis is required and comfort writing and using Excel is a plus.

This fellow will help revise Furman’s climate action plan (CAP) and compile Furman’s annual greenhouse gas report. Furman’s original CAP was written in 2009.  The revised CAP is in progress and it is critical that Furman set a new science-based target and uphold our commitment to carbon neutrality.  This fellow will participate in planning meetings, communication, and campus engagement including with senior administration. This fellow will also help complete Furman’s annual greenhouse gas report using the SIMAP platform which helps to track our progress toward carbon neutrality. An interest in data analysis is required; comfort in both written and verbal communication; proficiency in Excel is a plus.

This fellow will support the Farm Manager with composting operations on campus.  The fellow should have a strong interest in composting, an enthusiastic personality, and the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and community members.  This student will learn about the closed loop composting system and is an integral part to the loop’s successful operation. This position will help track current composting levels and research the feasibility of scaling our current composting operations. This position requires you to work outdoors, rain or shine, and to get dirty and work as part of a team. Fellow must also have a valid driver’s license. No previous experience or knowledge is required, just a willingness to learn and an optimistic perspective.

This fellow will support the Farm Manager with all operations on the Furman Farm.  The fellow should have a strong interest in sustainable agriculture, an enthusiastic personality, and the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and community members.  This student will learn about organic gardening practices through hands-on experiences. This student will also gain valuable professional development by helping to manage other student farm workers, volunteers and groups. This student is also responsible for data tracking and management to quantify the impact of the Furman Farm on the wider Furman campus. This position requires you to work outdoors, rain or shine, and to get dirty and work as part of a team. No previous experience or knowledge is required, just a willingness to learn and an optimistic perspective.

This fellowship will focus on researching data visualization tools to develop a process for exploratory data analysis and data visualizations for the Shi Institute’s Applied Sustainability Research projects. Responsibilities include learning and comparing a variety of data visualization tools, developing a workflow for creating accessible and adaptable data visualizations, creating data visualizations for select projects, and documenting best practices for creating data visualizations. This fellow will work closely with the Director of Applied Sustainability Research and Post-Baccalaureate GIS Analysts to develop a comprehensive process for creating interactive data visualizations. Enthusiasm for data analysis, data visualization, writing and documentation skills, and interest in learning to code are required for this position. The position will require 10 hours/week.