Sustainability Leadership Group (SLG)



History

The Sustainability Leadership Group (SLG) is an opportunity designed specifically for sustainability-minded first-year students to gain leadership experience early on in their Wake Forest careers. The inaugural SLG team, SLG ’23, formed in the fall of 2019 and was composed of an eager group of first-year students who served as peer leaders in their respective residence halls. Now in its fifth year and with nearly 100 SLG alumni, the program has established itself as the premier leadership opportunity for new Deacs who share a passion for sustainability.

Mission

SLG’s mission is to develop students into impactful leaders who work together to spread a culture of sustainability throughout the first-year class at Wake Forest. This mission is achieved through three pillars: leadership development, education, and community building.

The Three Pillars of SLG

Leadership
SLG members develop leadership skills through workshops, guest speakers and panels, group discussions, and–most importantly–action. While the program sets the foundation for your development, you’re encouraged to take the next step on your own (with the team’s support, of course). Step out of your comfort zone, discover your leadership style, and gain first-hand experience in a culture where there are no failures, only opportunities to improve.

Education
No prior sustainability knowledge or experience is required! We take the time to bring you up to speed on the latest science on the climate crisis, sustainability at Wake, intersectional environmentalism, and the psychology behind social change efforts. Even if you already consider yourself a seasoned expert, you’re bound to learn something new. SLG is a great way to discover your passion and chart your path forward at Wake Forest.

Community
Through fun team bonding activities, collaborative meetings, interactive workshops, group outreach, and the occasional outdoor excursion, SLG members get to know each other pretty well! The sense of community we work hard to develop extends outside the group as well, as you’ll engage with other students, create sustainability-themed events, coordinate with campus leaders like RAs, and ultimately put together your own group project that makes a lasting impact on campus.

What You Can Expect

We’ll kick off SLG with an orientation where you’ll learn the basics and meet your teammates. SLG then meets weekly, where we focus on developing leadership skills, teaching each other about and discussing sustainability, and building community. In addition to team meetings, members should plan to work together as needed on their initiatives and projects on their own time. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about and work on a variety of topics, including intersectional environmentalism and environmental justice, carbon reduction, waste minimization, environmental education, civic action, behavior change psychology, and more. We’ll also have some (optional, but highly encouraged) Saturday or Sunday excursions to get off campus, bond, and have fun! Just remember that SLG truly is your group; you get out of it as much as you put in.

Apply!

SLG members are selected through an application process that is made available to incoming first-year students each summer. All incoming first-year students are eligible, regardless of knowledge and experience. Applications for SLG ’27 will be accepted through September 10, 2023, with priority given to those received by August 22.


Meet Your SLG ’27 Coordinators

Profile picture for Brian Cohen
Profile picture for Juan Londono ('26)

Meet Our Most Recent Alumni (SLG ’26)

Profile picture for Sophie Eldridge ('25)

Profile picture for Natalie Bridgman
Profile picture for Kameron Collins
Profile picture for Kaelyn DeCorte
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Profile picture for Emily Hollander
Profile picture for Zeph Hollenbeck
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Profile picture for Juan Londono
Profile picture for Will Ray
Profile picture for Reagan Smith
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Profile picture for Anna Topmiller
Profile picture for Sidney White
Profile picture for Emily Xiao
Profile picture for Beza Zelalem


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