Everyday members of our UVA community–students, faculty, engineers, facilities staff, and medical professionals– are making impactful changes toward our ten bold sustainability goals. Through our new monthly "Faces of Sustainability" series, we aim to recognize their efforts and inspire you with the stories of these change-makers’ efforts happening right here on Grounds, both large and small! Below you'll meet Sathish, Tabatha, Alicia, and Jordan.
Meet Kate Stephenson
What is your role at UVA?
I’m an Associate Professor in the English Department, where I primarily teach writing classes focused on community engagement as well as the occasional modern literature class. I earned my Ph.D. at UVA many years ago and was thrilled to return as a professor in 2016.
What is your hometown?
I was born in Hull, England, where I lived until I was 5, but unfortunately, I did not retain my British accent. I grew up in Blacksburg, VA, but I cheer for UVA in most sports!
What are some things you are doing to support UVA’s 2030 Sustainability Plan?
I incorporate sustainability into my teaching by assigning readings on food justice and sustainability, as well as offering students the chance to work at places like the UVA Garden, PVCC Community Garden, and Morven Kitchen Garden, all of which are leaders in sustainability. I also try to do small things in my own life to promote sustainability, including being a vegetarian (reducing meat consumption is one of the best ways to conserve water!), planting a garden, and recycling. One of my 2024 goals? To compost!
Where can we find you on Grounds?
In Bryan Hall teaching students about food justice or rescuing bagels for UVA’s Food Assist program.
What tip do you have for people who want to take action?
Join one of the many community organizations at UVA and show up every week. No matter what you choose to do, be consistent. You will find friendships you never expected and opportunities you yet can’t imagine!
What are some fun facts about you?
I am mildly addicted to tennis and play 4-5 times a week (don’t tell my boss!), I make excellent granola, and I have a weird ability (or so my kids tell me) to tell you the day of the week if you give me a date—it can be several months away!
What is your most used emoji?
🤪
What’s your favorite place on Earth?
Long Beach Island, New Jersey (Am I the first person ever to list NJ as my happy place?)
Meet Tabatha Gilbert and Alicia White, two nurses at UVA Health System
Tabatha Gilbert
What is your role at UVA?
I am a pre-op nurse at the Outpatient Surgery Center (OPSC). I have worked at UVA since 2015, when my husband and I moved here from Ohio. I initially worked in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) but have since transitioned to OPSC, where I have had roles as both a pre-op and a PACU nurse.
What is your hometown?
Lebanon, Ohio
What are some things you are doing to support UVA’s 2030 Sustainability Plan?
We had the opportunity to attend the International Collaboration of Perianesthesia Nurses (ICPAN) conference in Amsterdam in September 2023 and acknowledged the great work that is being done at various hospitals around the world. One of the projects that inspired us the most included strategies to encourage recycling practices and reduce waste. My colleague Alicia White and I recognized the overuse of the green plastic personal belongings bags and have a goal to replace them with reusable bins or alternatives to support the reduce initiative.
Where can we find you on Grounds?
In the basement of the Battle Building cultivating patient relationships and fostering trust and comfort as I prepare patients for their surgical procedures.
What tip do you have for people who want to take action?
Don’t hesitate to ask “why” to understand deeper motivations, make meaningful connections with others, and focus on tackling easily achievable tasks to initiate change effectively.
What are some fun facts about you?
In my free time, I love to organize, declutter, and clean (whenever my 3- and 5-year old kids let me!)
What is your most used emoji?
😂
What is your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
When we had the amazing opportunity to present at the ICPAN conference in Amsterdam in September 2023. The trip was so great and the best part was being able to share it with my colleagues and friends.
What’s your favorite place on Earth?
The beach, any beach!
Alicia White
What is your role at UVA?
I have been a RN for 18 years and have worked at UVA since 2011. Since being here at UVA, I have worked at The Women’s Place - Labor and Delivery and am currently a Clinician 4 in pre-op at the Outpatient Surgery Center.
What is your hometown?
Charlottesville, Virginia
What are some things you are doing to support UVA’s 2030 Sustainability Plan?
Currently, we are working on a project that encourages recycling efforts and reduction of plastic waste. My colleague and I recognized the overuse of the green plastic personal belongings bags in the hospital, and we are implementing the use of reusable bins to support the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle initiative. We both recognized the environmental issues posed by green plastic belongings bags and are committed to addressing this issue head on. Incorporating strategies such as this helps to support the strategic plan in regard to being responsible stewards of resources and alignment with clinical and academic research.
Where can we find you on Grounds?
Somewhere having a meeting or participating in a WebEx discussing innovative ways to decrease plastic waste to improve recycling efforts! Or, having in-the-moment conversations with colleagues sharing why practicing reduce, reuse, and recycle habits benefits one’s health and helps to safeguard the environment.
What tip do you have for people who want to take action?
Just make the decision to do whatever it is that you are seeking to accomplish and be committed to the process. Always have a positive mindset, be solution driven, and keep your attention on the results that you want to achieve even during difficult moments.
What are some fun facts about you?
I love to laugh and enjoy telling jokes, I usually choose restaurants based on their dessert menu, and I have never met a stranger.
What is your most used emoji?
😊
What is your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
Our podium presentation in Amsterdam this past September for the International Collaboration of Perianesthesia Nurses (ICPAN) conference to present our multimodal educational approach on the management of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST).
What’s your favorite place on Earth?
The beach. I absolutely love the sound of the ocean and it’s very relaxing to watch the beach waves.
Meet Julianne Feutcher!
What is your role at UVA?
I am a student employee for the Office for Sustainability on the outreach team. This will be my third year! I help lead a student leadership group called the Sustainability Advocates, and I work on student outreach and engagement more generally. For example, I help out with the social media! This spring I will be graduating.
What is your hometown?
Vienna, Virginia
What are some things you are doing to support UVA’s 2030 Sustainability Plan?
I support UVA’s goal of reducing waste to 30% by 2030 by helping out at Green Games and educating people on how they can contribute to UVA’s waste reduction efforts. I also support various goals through the projects that my Sustainability Advocates choose to work on. Additionally, I share knowledge about our goals through social media, presentations, and conversations.
Where can we find you on Grounds?
You can find me at weekly Sustainability Advocates meetings or behind a table talking about sustainability.
What tip do you have for people who want to take action?
My biggest tip for people that want to take action is to remember your “why.” Sustainability work isn’t always easy, but remembering why you want to get involved can keep you motivated and determined.
What are some fun facts about you?
A fun fact about me is that I collect aprons from different countries that I travel to!
What is your most used emoji?
🥰
What is your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
One of my proudest accomplishments is founding a club cheer program at UVA. It’s been difficult but so rewarding!
What’s your favorite place on Earth?
My favorite place on Earth is either this plant-based sushi restaurant called Planta (there’s one in DC for my NOVA friends) or at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland because the nature there is beautiful during any season!