Featured SSC Rock Star
Name: Ursula James
School: Southeastern University in Georgetown, TX
Role in the SSC: Attended and led SPROGS and led a huge Power Vote Campaign.
School: Southeastern University in Georgetown, TX
Role in the SSC: Attended and led SPROGS and led a huge Power Vote Campaign.
How did you first get involved in the SSC?
I went to a SPROG (Summer Leadership Training Program) in summer 2006 and fell in love with environmental activism and the SSC. After that I became a trainer at the next two SPROGs and became a community organizer back home.
What are you working on in your own community?
At Southwestern, we are following up on Powershift by preparing to attend the ReEnergize Texas conference at the end of this month. On campus, where our president just sign the President's Climate Commitment, we are working to bring our school's carbon emissions to zero. Some of our upcoming events include a Dorm Energy Challenge and removing styrofoam to-go containers from the cafeteria.
At Southwestern, we are following up on Powershift by preparing to attend the ReEnergize Texas conference at the end of this month. On campus, where our president just sign the President's Climate Commitment, we are working to bring our school's carbon emissions to zero. Some of our upcoming events include a Dorm Energy Challenge and removing styrofoam to-go containers from the cafeteria.
What have you done this past year to build the movement that makes you proud?
I am very proud that our Power Vote drive collected the 4th most Power Vote cards in the country by percentage of school. We reached nearly the entire school throughout the drive and got a really broad variety of students to sign cards. The coolest things that happened to me personally were my interviews at Powershift. I spent much of Saturday talking to the BBC and was interviewed, along with Anna, Trevor, and Cassy, for a special that will air in April. I also was on KUT last week (the NPR station out of Austin, I believe), and people's moms started adding me on Facebook to tell me they had heard it. I'm so excited that the message of Power Shift reached so many people!
Climate-wise what do you hope to see in the next year?
I can't wait to see what will happen with the PCC on campus. Our president seems to be committed and excited about taking sustainable steps. Locally, I would like to see the platforms of Power Shift be taken up by legislators (especially my Texan senators!!)-- caps on carbon emissions, renewable energy, and steps taken in general toward a sustainable and just climate future.
I am very proud that our Power Vote drive collected the 4th most Power Vote cards in the country by percentage of school. We reached nearly the entire school throughout the drive and got a really broad variety of students to sign cards. The coolest things that happened to me personally were my interviews at Powershift. I spent much of Saturday talking to the BBC and was interviewed, along with Anna, Trevor, and Cassy, for a special that will air in April. I also was on KUT last week (the NPR station out of Austin, I believe), and people's moms started adding me on Facebook to tell me they had heard it. I'm so excited that the message of Power Shift reached so many people!
Climate-wise what do you hope to see in the next year?
I can't wait to see what will happen with the PCC on campus. Our president seems to be committed and excited about taking sustainable steps. Locally, I would like to see the platforms of Power Shift be taken up by legislators (especially my Texan senators!!)-- caps on carbon emissions, renewable energy, and steps taken in general toward a sustainable and just climate future.
Know an SSC rock star or group you want to see profiled? Send an email to laura@ssc.org!
