Be A Changemaker
Student-led projects that generate knowledge and intervention alongside the communities most affected.
Each project emerges from coursework, capstones, and partnerships — putting ideas into practice with real impact in New Mexico and beyond.
PB ABQ: Participatory Budgeting in District 6
Worked with community members and City Councilor Nichole Rogers to deepen democracy through Participatory Budgeting — mobilizing approximately $4 million in public funds through a student-designed process.
Read More →Bogotá: A Community Well-Being
Esther traveled to Colombia to explore what could be learned about a community's health based on the vitality of its social infrastructure and the perspectives of community members.
Read More →Enchanted Roots: Revitalizing Vacant Lots for Urban Agriculture
Hailey Robbins partnered with Stefany Olivas, the Local Agriculture Community Coordinator with CABQ Parks and Recreation, to develop a working document to repurpose vacant lots for community food production.
Read More →Lobos for Environmental Justice
A joint initiative developed by Feleecia Guillen in collaboration with UNM Leaders for Environmental Action and Foresight and the Associated Students of UNM.
Read More →Ecological Stewardship in Circular Systems
Hosted at the Tamaya Horse Rehab on the Santa Ana Pueblo, this project explored how composting works in arid regions at a scientific level and fostering a circular economy at the community level.
Read More →Lobo Closet
A student-led initiative at UNM establishing recurring clothing swap events to promote sustainable fashion practices and mitigate the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Read More →Coalition of Sustainable Communities of New Mexico
Colin Howard’s capstone project collaborated with the Coalition to develop a social media-based communication strategy for sustainable communities across New Mexico.
Read More →Applicable Justice Domains
Brian Kendall created six new quantifiable metrics grounded in restorative and environmental justice, prompting researchers to assess how regionality and history play into the justice implications of their work.
Read More →Shared Futures
Ashley Apodaca explored using artwork to communicate scientific principles — making science accessible through visual art and bridging the gap between research and community understanding.
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