The 2020 Notre Dame Sustainability Expo, now in its sixth year, will be held virtually over two evenings on October 6 and 7 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (EDT) with live panel discussions and Q&A sessions for undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College.

“Although there are fewer exhibitors than in previous years, an exciting mix of local groups and centers/institutes and national businesses and organizations will speak with students about professional development opportunities in the areas of energy, the environment, and sustainability studies,” said Rachel Novick, Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Minor in Sustainability. “Presenters will provide brief overviews of their organizations, followed by specific opportunities for students in academic, experiential and service learning programs, as well as research projects, internships, and jobs.”

An added feature to the virtual platform will be online exhibit booths, containing contact information and program details from speakers and other organizations unable to present. These booths will be available for students to browse through during and after the event for a limited time. Details on how to access booth information will be shared at the beginning of each panel discussion. 

“Another new feature will be random prize drawings throughout the two-evening event for students who are in attendance,” explained Kara Primmer, Program Director for the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative. “Drawings will be held in lieu of the infamous grab n’ go healthy snack bar that students have come to enjoy.”

Registration is open for students at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, and Holy Cross and must be completed by October 5.

The schedule of live panel discussions is provided below:

Tuesday, October 6

Panel 1
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

• Sustainability Minor (Academic Program) 6:00-6:05
• IDEA Center (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 6:05-6:10
• St. Joseph County Parks (Local Internships) 6:10-6:15
• Invenergy (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 6:15-6:20
• Q&A 6:20-6:30

Panel 2
6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

• John J. Reilly Center (Academic Program) 6:30-6:35
• Office of Sustainability (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 6:35-6:40
• enFocus (Local Jobs/Internships) 6:40-6:45
• Conservation Corps (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 6:45-6:50
• Q&A 6:50-7:00

Panel 3 
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

• ND Energy (Academic Program) 7:00-7:05
• Center for Civic Innovation (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 7:05-7:10
• Inovateus Solar (Local Internships) 7:10-7:15
• Moontree Studios (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 7:15-7:20
• Q&A 7:20-7:30

Wednesday, October 7

Panel 4
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

• Kellogg Institute for International Studies (Academic Program) 6-6:05
• Pulte Institute for Global Development (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 6:05-6:10
• Indiana Dunes National Park (Local Internships) 6:10-6:15
• National Parks Conservation Association (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 6:15-6:20
• Q&A 6:20-6:30

Panel 5
6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

• Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center (Academic Program) 6:30-6:35
• Sunrise Movement South Bend (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 6:35-6:40
• City of South Bend Office of Sustainability and Green Corps (Local Internships) 6:40-6:45
• The Public Interest Network (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 6:45-6:50
• Q&A 6:50-7:00

Panel 6
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

• Environmental Sciences (Academic Program) 7:00-7:05
• Environmental Change Initiative (Research/Engagement Opportunity) 7:05-7:10
• Unity Gardens (Local Internships) 7:10-7:15
• US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (Jobs/Internships—Chicago and Beyond) 7:15-7:20
• Q&A 7:20-7:30

For questions or more information, contact Barbara Villarosa, Business and Communications Program Director, Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy).

The Notre Dame Sustainability Expo is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy), John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology and Values, Meruelo Family Center for Career Development, Minor in Sustainability Studies, Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI), and Notre Dame Nanoscience and Technology (NDnano).