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Northland College hires Regional Sustainability Coordinator

December 19, 2011

Solar panels, wind turbines and sustainable agriculture are a few examples of sustainability initiatives driven by the unique environmental mission of Northland College. Now the college is building on those initiatives through the hiring of a new sustainability coordinator who is charged with fostering sustainability practices on a community scale. Northland alumnus Nathan Engstrom has been appointed to be the college's Regional Sustainability Coordinator. Engstrom will forge connections with local nonprofit groups, governments, businesses and more to enhance sustainability efforts in the Chequamegon Bay area.

Engstrom graduated from Northland College in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and environmental studies. He received his master's in sustainable design from the University of Texas - Austin in 2003.

"When I was a student at Northland, I became very involved in sustainability issues when it was a relatively new thing," says Engstrom. "I welcome the chance to reconnect with people whom I formed personal relationships with while a student at Northland and align that with professional goals to promote sustainability initiatives between the College and the community."

Engstrom has ten years' experience with sustainability, energy and green building initiatives in the nonprofit and public sectors. Engstrom served as a sustainability coordinator for Cleveland State University and Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Engstrom aims to leverage financial and programmatic resources at Northland, as well as the College's talented students, staff and faculty, to aid and assist sustainability initiatives in the region.

"I plan to do a lot of listening to those active in sustainability efforts in the community and determine what needs are or aren't being addressed," says Engstrom. "Sustainability issues don't recognize institutional boundaries. I hope to serve as a conduit for ideas to flow back and forth and partner with various entities in ongoing or new projects."

Engstrom will focus on economic, food and energy issues concerning the region. He will also draw from Northland's strategic planning process to turn ideas into sustainable practices at Northland College and in the community.