{"id":843,"date":"2026-04-24T18:12:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T18:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/?page_id=843"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:20:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:20:56","slug":"about-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-843\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-843-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"smcm-intro-section panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-843-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Sustainability is about connections.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"big-text panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-843-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>We are connected to each other, to our built environments, to our natural environments, and to our cultural environments. Sustainability seeks to acknowledge those connections and create a more equitable and respectful space for everyone and everything in our environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-843-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2592\" height=\"1728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_2765.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-574  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Tall grass in the foreground frames a calm lake at sunset, with the sun setting behind a tree-lined shore and colorful clouds in the sky.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_2765.jpg 2592w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_2765-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_2765-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_2765-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2592px) 100vw, 2592px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-843-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-gold-buttons panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons-default-d75171398898-843\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><nav class=\"smcm-gold-buttons\"><ul><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/events\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-calendar\"><\/i>Events<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#services\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-earth-americas\"><\/i>Services<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#opportunities\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-clipboard\"><\/i>Opportunities<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/building-green\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-hammer\"><\/i>Building Green<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/arboretum-2\/\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-tree\"><\/i>St. Mary's College of Maryland Arboretum<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-right smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-843-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div id=\"services\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-843-2-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Sustainability <strong>Services<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-2-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>SMCM\u2019s Office of Sustainability is focused on creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to make more sustainable choices. We are always looking at new ways to lessen our negative environmental impact and improve our positive social impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-2-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/services\/\">Learn About Available Services<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-843-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2592\" height=\"1728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_1861.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-566  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A brick building with tall chimneys is reflected in a calm pond, surrounded by reeds and trees under a clear blue sky.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_1861.jpg 2592w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_1861-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_1861-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/01\/IMG_1861-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2592px) 100vw, 2592px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-843-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/02\/unnamed.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-622  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Person wearing green gloves holds a pile of rich, dark soil above a garden bed, with their shoes visible on the right side of the image.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/02\/unnamed.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/02\/unnamed-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/02\/unnamed-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2019\/02\/unnamed-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-843-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div id=\"opportunities\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-843-3-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Sustainability <strong>Opportunities<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-3-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Sustainability is an incredibly complicated and intertwined subject that is always changing. There is no perfect solution, but there is always something we can do better. Each step, no matter how small, will get us closer to a sustainable future. We know we cannot do this without you so thank you so much for taking steps to become more sustainable!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-3-1-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/opportunities\/\">How to Get Involved<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-843-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-843-4\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title white\" style=\"\">Meet <strong>Our Team<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-843-4-0-1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><h3 style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Ariana Lecouras<br \/>Sustainability Fellow<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ariana Lecouras graduated from St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland in May 2025 with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in History, English, and African &amp; African Diaspora Studies. As the Sustainability Fellow, she works to promote sustainable practices on campus through community engagement, outreach, and initiatives focused on composting and campus food systems. Her academic work focused on the relationship between environmental issues and social justice, particularly how communities build resilience in the face of systemic challenges. In her free time, Ariana enjoys running, swimming in the river, and reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-843-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2133\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818.jpeg\" class=\"image wp-image-860  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"A person with light brown hair stands on a dock by a body of water at sunset, smiling with arms crossed and wearing a light-colored sweater and backpack.\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818.jpeg 2133w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818-300x270.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818-1024x922.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818-768x691.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818-1536x1383.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2026\/04\/IMG_0524-scaled-e1777292558818-2048x1843.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2133px) 100vw, 2133px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-843-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-843-5\" ><div id=\"pgc-843-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-843-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"15\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<div class=\"highlight-box\">\n<h2>sus\u00b7tain\u00b7a\u00b7bil\u00b7i\u00b7ty<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\">\/s\u0259\u02ccst\u0101n\u0259\u02c8bil\u0259d\u0113\/<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><em>noun<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: black;\">\"the sustainability of economic growth\"<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: black;\">\"the pursuit of global environmental sustainability\"<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Sustainability is about connections.<\/h3>\n<p>We are connected to each other, to our built environments, to our natural environments, and to our cultural environments. Sustainability seeks to acknowledge those connections and create a more equitable and respectful space for everyone and everything in our environment.<\/p>\n<p>SMCM\u2019s Office of Sustainability is focused on creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to make more sustainable choices. We are always looking at new ways to lessen our negative environmental impact and improve our positive social impact.<\/p>\n<p>Sustainability is an incredibly complicated and intertwined subject that is always changing. There is no perfect solution, but there is always something we can do better. Each step, no matter how small, will get us closer to a sustainable future. We know we cannot do this without you so <em>thank you so much for taking steps to become more sustainable!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-843-5-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"16\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2020\/02\/transparent-header-green.png\" alt=\"Office of Sustainability: People, Action, Progress, logo\" width=\"1156\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2020\/02\/transparent-header-green.png 1156w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2020\/02\/transparent-header-green-300x114.png 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2020\/02\/transparent-header-green-1024x388.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2020\/02\/transparent-header-green-768x291.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sustainability is about connections. We are connected to each other, to our built environments, to our natural environments, and to our cultural environments. Sustainability seeks to acknowledge those connections and create a more equitable and respectful space for everyone and everything in our environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":234,"featured_media":762,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-843","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P9NNti-dB","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/234"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=843"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/843\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":863,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/843\/revisions\/863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/sustainability\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}