Lauren Newcomer, an Ecology for Environmental Science major, was recently elected as the newest chair of UNT's We Mean Green Fund, a student-led committee that empowers UNT students, faculty, and staff to improve our institution through campus projects that support environmental sustainability.
"When I was presented with the opportunity to serve as chair, I felt compelled to accept the challenge," said Lauren of her new leadership position. "My primary goal for the We Mean Green Fund is to grow the community around us. I want to make sure as many people as possible know about the work the committee does and encourage UNT students, faculty, and staff to be a part of the movement."
The We Mean Green Fund has funded dozens of projects over the years, including the Pecan Creek Pollinative Prairie, UNT Community Garden, Natural Dye Garden, and UNT Composting Facility. The committee actively solicits environmental sustainability project proposals from members of the UNT community to implement environmental initiatives on campus. This year's proposals are due on December 6, and the committee will review and deliberate in the early spring.
Lauren discovered the We Mean Green Fund her freshman year at a UNT org fair. Though the committee was not accepting new members at the time, she knew she wanted to get involved and jumped at the chance as soon as she could. "I really connected with the mission and was attracted to the initiative students were taking to spread awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability," she said.
Lauren's goals beyond school and the WMGF are ambitious, but she's on the right track. Currently minoring in Chinese alongside her ecology major, she dreams of eventually attending law school to study environmental policy to work for the government, helping bridge the gap between China and the United States to protect the environment. She finds she is the most challenged when it comes to prioritizing her many activities and interests, but the support she has received at UNT makes it all worthwhile.
"UNT cultivates an atmosphere that encourages ambition and has provided me with the resources to achieve my goals," said Lauren. "That I am grateful for; it's why I am proud of my choice to come here."
On top of everything else, Lauren is also employed at UNT's Elm Fork Education Center as an aquatic studies instructor. She guides young learners through lessons/activities appropriate for their grade levels and prides herself in helping create an environment where curious students feel comfortable to ask questions about what they're learning. She considers her job at Elm Fork one of the highlights of her college career, and credits the Elm Fork administrators Brian Wheeler and Marti Lathrop for being a huge part of her experience at UNT. "I look up to both of them with high admiration and know I can always turn to them for thoughtful advice," she said.
Lauren says that the WMGF committee is eager to work with anyone whose desire is to promote and/or improve the environmental sustainability. "My favorite projects typically involve a collaboration between more than one discipline, such as art and science," she said, referencing the Storm Drain Artscapes project that can be found across campus, which directs people's attention to sustainable ideas and practices.
UNT's We Mean Green commitment relies on joint engagement and enthusiasm from students, faculty, and staff to integrate sustainability into the culture of UNT's many operations. At the heart of the project is empowerment: it gives the UNT community an opportunity to implement changes that affect the whole campus and change our carbon footprint for the better.
Lauren's advice for her fellow students, especially those who are new to UNT, is to get involved and not be afraid to utilize resources like the We Mean Green Fund to give make an impact on the world around them. "Before I entered college everyone said to put myself out there and do what made me nervous, because even if it's scary it would be worth it," she said. "They were right. I can't stress enough how important this mindset is. My best times at UNT have come as a result of leaving my comfort zone and trying something new."
If you have an idea that could make UNT's campus even greener, Lauren wants you to submit a proposal for an environmental improvement project and lead UNT into a more sustainable future! Proposals are due December 6 for the 2020 funding cycle, but every year students have this chance to develop an idea and help make UNT a greener campus for all. Visit https://studentaffairs.unt.edu/we-mean-green-fund/ for more information.