Minor in Sustainability Studies

Turn your passion into purpose by weaving sustainability into any field of study.

The Sustainability Studies minor equips students from any discipline to integrate a sustainability focus into their field of study. Rooted in both theory and practice, the program supports students to connect the strengths of their major with critical perspectives and hands-on action for sustainability and justice. Through internships, coursework, community-based projects, and a capstone experience, students put ideas into practice alongside local and regional partners. Fusing disciplinary knowledge and sustainability practice and action, students emerge prepared to shape just and innovative solutions for a sustainable and resilient world.

Student Testimonials

Caden McWilliams

"My experience in the Sustainability Studies Department was formative in shaping how I understand the relationship between people, place, and the environment.

"The program emphasized sustainability not just as a concept, but as a lived practice grounded in community, equity, and systems thinking. It pushed me to think critically and approach design more intentionally, and that perspective continues to guide my work today. 

 

"I am currently pursuing my Master of Architecture, where I continue to build on these foundations by focusing on community-engaged design processes, including my work at the UNM Design and Planning Assistance Center (DPAC)."

Esther Hewitt

"My experience in the Sustainability Studies Program at UNM was deeply transformative for my academic and professional journey.

"I was challenged, inspired, and given the space and opportunity to grow through connection and mentorship. Being surrounded by interdisciplinary students and faculty is a remarkable opportunity because it allows pathways to align academic pursuits with a passion for sustainability in personally meaningful ways while engaging with diverse perspectives. 

"Sustainability Studies provided me with the chance to explore community-engaged work and taught me the power of building hope through action, both of which have been foundational to my graduate studies and future path."

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Brazil Field Immersion: Policy, Agroecology & Community Transformation

Each spring, Sustainability Studies offers a 25-day solidarity immersion moving from Brazil's policy center to communities building alternatives on the ground. Partnering with the University of Brasília and the Federal University of Sergipe, students work alongside Brazilian peers, eco-communities, and social movements — co-learners weaving critical inquiry with hands-on action across borders.

The immersion unfolds in three phases:

• Engaging policymakers and drafting actionable proposals in Brasília
• Learning dry-land agroforestry and community organizing in the Chapada dos Veadeiros highlands
• Homestays on an agroecological land-reform settlement of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), experiencing collective governance and food sovereignty firsthand

Participants become part of a growing binational network linking universities, eco-communities, and social movements across the Americas — relationships that continue well beyond the immersion.

Learn More About the Brazil Immersion