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 Kate, Julianne, and Germain.
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 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!
Meet Germain Finch from UVA Recycling!
What is your role at UVA?
I’ve been working in recycling for 9 years, but I’ve been with UVA for 15 years.
What is your hometown?
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I moved to Charlottesville in 1990 when I started 5th grade.
What are some things you are doing to support UVA’s 2030 Sustainability Plan?
My role is central to UVA’s waste reduction goal of 70% by 2030 (from 2010 totals). I help UVA’s recycling system separates paper, cardboard, glass, cans and plastics #1-7 into separate bins to reduce contamination. The items are hand-sorted and baled, then processed into new materials at facilities in North Carolina.
Where can we find you on Grounds?
You can find me recycling in and around Grounds, and on Wednesdays I am in charge of the Hospital Main Tower West Complex.
What tip do you have for people who want to take action?
Really I believe we can do better in recycling, especially at the hospital. My hope is that recycling and sustainability can get together to put better signs out, talk to staff, show what goes in and out, and work with students and also do more with sports to recycle better. With everyone’s help we can turn 40 percent of trash in bins to maybe 10 percent!
What are some fun facts about you?
I’m a big Steelers fan and a great cook. I used to work as a cook at Sloan’s Restaurant, and I was a Biltmore Grill cook and head bouncer. Believe it or not, Chris Long was a bouncer himself.
Stay tuned twice a month for more "Faces of Sustainability" the people and stories behind UVA's ten bold sustainability goals.