Student Fellows

This fellow will work with the Shi Institute’s Program Coordinator to manage student outreach for sustainability and The Shi Institute on campus. Responsibilities include sustainability campaign implementation, event planning, liaising with student fellows and student organizations throughout campus on various projects, maintaining The Shi Institute’s social media outlets, and representing The Shi Institute at Summer Orientation and other outreach events. This student will spend 30% of their time working on an independent project of their choosing (past examples will be provided). Enthusiasm about sustainability and an interest in generating collaboration on campus are required for this position.

This fellow will support the Furman Farm Manager with composting operations.  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 position requires you to work outdoors, 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 fellow will work with the Farm Manager to operate the Furman Farm, manage both volunteers and classes that volunteer at the farm, and manage daily tasks at the farm.  This position requires you to work outdoors, 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.

The Shi Institute is currently working on several projects that are striving to build more resilient communities in the face of climate disruption. Projects include a new initiative to assist areas in South Carolina that have been identified by the federal government as Community Disaster Resilience Zones.

These historically under-resourced communities are facing increasing risk of hurricane damage, extreme heat, and other natural disasters from climate change. The fellow would support the Shi Institute as it works with these communities to gather community input and further analyze risks and strategies to build community resilience.

Through our work with the Carolinas Collaborative on Community, Health, and Equity, we are also working with local communities to work towards climate solutions that are equitable and based on community knowledge and assets.

Students who are interested in local responses to global climate change and resilience-building across a variety of contexts would be well-positioned to assist with the Shi Institute’s efforts. Work would include both qualitative and quantitative assessment. GIS experience is a plus.

The Milliken Sustainability Fellow will support the Milliken corporate sustainability team in sustainability reporting, ethics best practices, net-zero action items, and/or development of its 2030 sustainability strategy.

Projects will include research, analysis, benchmarking, and support in development of education and communication materials. The Sustainability Fellow will present a PowerPoint presentation of the fellow’s key project(s) during the final week of the Milliken internship program to all Milliken interns and Milliken leadership.

Learn more about Milliken’s sustainability commitments here.

The ESG Fellow at Pacolet Milliken will be part of a dynamic team, contributing to the company’s sustainability and responsible business practices. As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of corporate responsibility, gaining hands-on experience and making a meaningful impact on our organization’s sustainability initiatives.

Fellowship duties include:

• Collecting and analyzing ESG data to support the development and enhancement of sustainability reports;
• Investigating industry trends, regulations, and best practices to contribute valuable insights for our sustainability strategy; and
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to gather information and foster relationships crucial to our ESG efforts.

The fellow will deepen their understanding of ESG principles, frameworks, and reporting standards; and enhance their ability to analyze and interpret sustainability data for strategic decision-making.

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable business practices while acquiring valuable skills and knowledge that will set the foundation for a successful career in the rapidly evolving field of ESG.

Project Host uses food as a tool to nourish the hungry and train the unemployed. For more than 41 years, Project Host has addressed food insecurity in Greenville through the soup kitchen. Training takes place in the CC Pearce Culinary School, a six-week quick jobs skills training program designed to teach the basic skills needed for an entry level job in a professional kitchen. This fellowship opportunity will be closely tied to Project Host’s Gardening for Good program.

Project Host is home to an onsite garden and greenhouse. The produce grown over the summer is vital to the sustainability of its soup kitchen and culinary school. Fellows can expect to learn detailed knowledge of gardening as well as being responsible for recording metrics of production from the garden. They also have the opportunity to work in each of Project Host’s different programs, both in and out of the office administration environment, and will leave with a complete understanding of all programs. Fellows can expect to have a full understanding of working in the nonprofit sector by the end of their experience.

The Greenville Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic Student Fellow to help the Zoo meet its mission to provide an enjoyable guest experience while supporting and promoting conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all living things. The Zoo supports educational programs and initiatives that promote wildlife conservation, habitat restoration and sustainable practices.

The goal of this fellowship is to foster in young people an understanding and appreciation of wildlife and their continued conservation. This fellow will assist with the Zoo’s summer camp program (50%) and work with staff to initiate a sustainability waste audit and plan (20%), developing interpretative signage about the Zoo’s conservation efforts and SAFE programs, (20%), and other duties as assigned (10%).

The Zoo is managed by the City of Greenville and requires a thorough background check, drug screening and TB test to qualify.

This fellow will report to the Travelers Rest Planning Director to help conduct plans and studies citywide. City projects include planning for a “Wheels Park” along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, tree inventorying on a city-wide basis, and other planning-related duties.

Fellows will gain experience in city planning, data collection and plan review and will work with a progressive, results-driven city in the public sector. Students interested in urban planning, geographical information systems and environmental sustainability are encouraged to apply.

The City of Greenville Environmental Engineering Office oversees storm water, sanitary sewer, and floodplain management for the city.  City engineers are constantly assessing water resources to design and implement projects that improve streambank stability and water quality. Previous inspections have provided general areas for streambank projects and broken infrastructure.

This fellow will assist engineers with obtaining additional geomorphologic data for stream reaches to further refine the scope of stream enhancement projects. They will also assist in a mix of field and office work including various activities regarding environmental compliance activities related to storm water, sanitary sewer and floodplain management.

Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) is a volunteer-run nonprofit – and the only organization of any kind – dedicated to promoting, preserving, and restoring the Reedy River through education, advocacy, collaboration and action to fulfill FoRR’s vision of a safe, clean, accessible river corridor that enhances the quality of life for all residents, businesses, and visitors. 

FoRR promotes improved watershed management (preserving wetlands and tributaries within the Reedy watershed) through community activation and volunteerism, water quality monitoring and public education initiatives. Summer is a time for designing, testing and executing new ideas for fulfilling its mission as shepherds of the Reedy River.

For the first week of the fellowship, you’ll work with a select team of FoRR board and staff leaders in a lead role helping execute FoRR’s involvement in a unique commitment to conservation sustainability by a major auto maker, a singular Upstate charity and a high-profile professional sporting event. The fellow will help with the week-long BMW Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament working toward a 100 percent sustainable professional sports event; alongside and guiding 200 volunteers in recycling, composting and repurposing efforts for an event with more than 30,000 attendees.

Beyond this, the summer will include:

• working directly with staff and board leaders putting finishing touches on FoRR’s website refresh;
• assisting with freshwater/macro invertebrate workshops;
• identifying/evaluating grant opportunities;
• implementing/tracking our citizen science river bank erosion tool;
• creating a native plant list for residents to use to help control storm water runoff;
• a summer day camp feasibility study;
• planning logistics to prepare for a major river clean-up event;
• assisting in developing quick-draw videos.

People skills are important. GIS, Excel and Google docs skills are important but not critical. 

Sustaining Way is an interfaith non-profit organization that uses education, collaboration and advocacy to create sustainable, caring and equitable communities for current and future generations. The Sustainable Education Fellow will:

• Manage and execute the Steward Youth program and oversee all of its on-site and off-site activities.
• Teach, enhance, and develop K-12 curriculum related to social, economic and environmental sustainability.
• Assist with development of lesson plans.
• Develop educational materials for the demonstration site.
• Host on-site tours and educational programming for general public.
• Support in the development and maintenance of Annie’s House by Sustaining Way.
• Establish, develop and strengthen connections/partnerships to further Sustaining Way’s mission.
• Assist in the execution of the Steward Fellows program and 2024 agenda.

Sustaining Way is an interfaith non-profit that uses education, collaboration and advocacy to create sustainable, caring and equitable communities for current and future generations.

The Sustainable Agriculture Fellow will work at Sustaining Way’s demonstration site, Annie’s House, just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the historic Nicholtown community of Greenville.

The Fellow will:

• Assist with the development and maintenance of the garden, landscape and buildings at Annie’s House.
• Host on-site tours and educational programming for the general public, including open houses and special events.
• Educate visitors and volunteers about sustainable agriculture.
• Assist food security related programs and activities in Nicholtown.
• Assist volunteer engagement activities to support site and community food security.
• Help develop and facilitate distribution of food grown and raised on- and off site.
• Support the Sustainability Education Coordinator in execution of the Steward Youth education program including all of its on-site and off-site activities.
• Develop personal expertise in sustainability including various sustainable practices (gardening, health/diet, energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc.).
• Develop curriculum and teaching classes related to sustainable agriculture, food and waste, etc.

Trueline GVL, a new entertainment venue under development in downtown Greenville, hopes to integrate sustainability into its business, its facility and into its story. The venue is being created through the reimaging and repurposing of an old glass factory.

The fellow will be a part of the early-stage development of Trueline GVL and will contribute to the team through applied research. Topics may include: green building standards (LEED), zero waste initiatives and water conservation, among others.

They may also be asked to help document (quantitative measures, photographic evidence) existing infrastructure and trace the use and repurposing of materials so that Trueline GVL can tell a compelling sustainability story about the venue and its development.  The ideal student will be self-motivated, creative, organized and enthusiastic about the launch of a sustainable music/arts venue in downtown Greenville.

Hub City Roots is a local food systems non-profit focused on strengthening the local food system through markets, equitable access and youth development.

This fellow will report to the Urban Farm Manager to assist with leading the summer Youth Development Internship Program which teaches youth ages 14 to 17 the importance of sustainable agriculture and growing their own food. The fellow will be responsible for co-managing eight to 12 high school interns (from diverse backgrounds) on the Urban Farm and through the Youth Development courses.

On the Urban Farm, the fellow will help the interns learn about team building, real-life work expectations and sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, they will oversee the community-led youth development workshops, which include financial literacy, health and wellness, college and career readiness, community and more. Some Saturdays are required in order to work the Hub City Farmers Market, where youth will sell the produce they grew on the Urban Farm each week.

Wild Hope Farm is a certified organic farm in Chester, S.C., specializing in vegetable and flower production. The 220-acre property consists of 12 acres in cultivation, greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond and diversified natural areas.

The Organic Farm Fellow will mainly participate in harvest, wash and pack for Community Supported Agriculture and markets throughout the season. Additional tasks will include transplanting, hoeing, hand weeding, greenhouse seeding, bin washing, trellising and flower harvesting. Other activities could include weed whacking, mowing, basic drip irrigation setup and removal, sheet mulching and various farm or property maintenance tasks.

The Farm is seeking people with a passion for diversified organic vegetable production. All employees are integral members of the Farm’s 10- to 15-member team. Over the course of the season, the fellow will be exposed to all aspects of our farm and deepen their knowledge of Wild Hope’s regenerative organic farming methods.