Emily Wells decided to come to OSU because she wanted to contribute to our active sustainability programs. She specifically wanted to help with the social aspect of sustainability, so she found a job as Food Security Coordinator for the Student Sustainability initiative.
Emily has partnered with a multitude of organizations in her position at SSI. She has grown food for the Human Service Resource Center’s new on-campus food pantry in Avery Lodge, using SSI garden space. She has hosted various workshops teaching students to cook, giving demos at the repair fair, and manning a booth at the Sprout community fair teaching locals to plant and grow seeds. She has also partnered with Master Gardeners to conduct the “Seed to Supper” series teaching people to garden.
Most of Emily’s days are spent planning events during campaigns such as hunger and homelessness awareness week and earth week. She says her involvement with these campaigns has helped her understand her role providing food security to students and the often-ignored social aspect of sustainability. It has been powerful for her to work in a participatory democracy with people who are not all like minded but passionate about similar things.
Emily encourages all OSU students to get involved in something they’re passionate about. She especially likes how her job has allowed her to see the concepts she has learned in textbooks put to use in real life and wants every student to be able to learn through experience by giving back to their community. OSU’s Sustainability Double Degree program is an excellent place to get access to opportunities such as the one Emily has taken advantage of.