Global futures student contributes to culture of sustainability on campus through Eco Reps program

Every year, October brings lower temperatures, new opportunities to get outside and a chance to celebrate Arizona State University’s commitment to the environment for Campus Sustainability Month.

For Sophia Vallejera, a second-year College of Global Futures student double majoring in sustainability and urban planning with a certificate in GIS, commitment to sustainability is year round.

Vallejera first heard about the Eco Rep program as a first-year student living in the Barrett Residential Complex. The dorm’s Eco Rep at the time often shared information about green events on campus in her floor’s group chat. She also spotted the rest of the Eco Reps around campus and at events on a pretty regular basis. All of these repeated encounters showed Vallejera how the program aligned with her interests in sustainability and community engagement. When she saw on Instagram that applications were open for the upcoming semester, she decided to apply.

The Eco Rep program was first launched at ASU in the fall of 2022, with the help of grant funding from Coca-Cola and managed by University Sustainability Practices at ASU. Students from a diverse array of majors represent five residence halls on the Tempe campus — Adelphi Commons, Barrett Residential Complex, Manzanita Hall, Palo Verde East and Palo Verde West — and work to educate peers in their residential communities and across campus on environmentally conscious lifestyle changes and campus sustainability efforts.

When asked about the benefits of being an Eco Rep, Vallejera reflected fondly on the enjoyable challenge of planning sustainability-focused events across campus, often on a tight timeline. The Eco Reps work collaboratively with each other, program leaders and other groups on campus to put together events like compost training, Kahoot trivia and a thrift swap. The Eco Reps are also involved with larger campus initiatives like Fair Trade tabling and blue bag sorting events, which taught Vallejera more about campus sustainability.

“My experience as an Eco Rep has helped me learn how to create engaging events and how to talk to people about sustainability,” she said. “A lot of our events are about informing students not only about sustainability issues on campus, but the solutions they can implement into their daily life. Sustainability tends to be a word that people know, but don't fully understand, so we help bridge the divide between people who want to help and the resources ASU provides to students.”

Vallejera was drawn to sustainability because of its interdisciplinary nature. “At the time, I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to do,” she said, “but I knew I wanted a degree that would lead to an impactful career in something I truly cared about.”

Vallejera is deeply engaged with the ASU community. “I’ve really enjoyed the community here,” she said. “Barrett The Honors College and the College of Global Futures have helped make the large student population feel a little smaller and easier to find my people.”

In addition to her role as an Eco Rep, she serves on the Council at the College of Global Futures. She also frequents No Missing Pieces, an ASU board game club, and is a member of The Undertones, a campus a-cappella group. “I was very involved with choir and the music program at my high school. Even though I may no longer be studying music, this group has given me the space to do what I’m passionate about while still balancing schoolwork.”

Vallejara’s Eco Rep experience has also helped her be an advocate for positive change on the council. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone and hearing their different paths in sustainability,” she said. “Learning about environmental issues can be very disheartening sometimes, but the people in this college make up for it in their positivity and passion for the work that they do.”

Although campus sustainability month is coming to a close, there are always opportunities to get involved with sustainability on campus. The Council at the College of Global Futures is hosting a Community Lunch on November 15th. Attendees will be able to share feedback and suggestions with College leaders on what they hope to see in the future. In addition, University Sustainability Practices frequently shares information and updates on the Eco Rep program to both their website and social media pages.