AASHE Member Community Digest for Monday May 12, 2025

https://www.betterfoodfoundation.org/take-action/students/

Want to make positive food systems change on your campus?

Join the DefaultVeg Internship Program to champion sustainable food systems while gaining valuable skills and experience.

The DefaultVeg Internship Program is for changemakers (like you!) who want to bring the Plant-Based Food by Default movement to their university. Equipped with essential tools and guidance, ambassadors are empowered to engage positively with university decision makers, dining staff, student clubs, offices, coffee shops, and campus event staff to advocate for adopting plant-based defaults and nudges.

Our approach emphasizes collaboration over confrontation, which is popular because it preserves freedom of choice and works anywhere food is served, from a dorm party to a dining hall. Most importantly, many DefaultVeg Ambassadors have greatly impacted campus food systems.

By encouraging your campus to adopt climate-smart, plant-forward food, you’re promoting a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and inclusive food services both on and off campus.

Sign up

 

2025 SMC Internship Opportunity

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking 1 intern to assist our planning and regulatory staff on a variety of tasks.

The successful candidate will spend time in the office and field under the guidance of SMC staff and will be involved in several phases of the Planning and Regulatory Program in support of watershed workgroups, grant inspection coordination, education and outreach, site inspections, MS4 coordinator support and GIS tasks.

Examples of office activities may include, but will not be limited to 1) Watershed Workgroup support by updating the websites, taking and organizing meeting minutes, assisting with lining up presenters, and helping with meeting notes, 2) 319 grant inspection coordination 3) creating an SMC grant tracker spreadsheet, 4) reporting on Watershed-based Plan milestones, 5) Education and Outreach support by creating project factsheets, coordinating stream clean-up requests, creating an inventory of project photos, assisting with Deicing Workshop event coordination, and updating watershed webpages 6) Central Permit Facility maintenance support by creating QR code signs, organizing speakers, organizing Seed Harvesting Event, and creating incentives for maintaining the native plant community on the green roof. 7) GIS tasks to include filling data gaps in the SMC GIS Permit database.

Examples of field activities may include but will not be limited to 1) assistance with scheduling and coordinating Des Plaines River Watershed inspections, 2) coordinating and performing field inspections under the guidance of the MS4 Coordinator 3) field inspections on various construction projects under the guidance of the SMC Regulatory Staff, 4) other assigned field tasks as needed under the guidance of SMC Planning and Regulatory staff.

To be successful in this position, candidates must possess a high level of attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and intermediate level knowledge of Microsoft Office products. The candidate will also possess the ability to work both inside and outside in variable conditions and be willing to engage in limited to moderately strenuous physical activity. Successful candidate must also be highly motivated, be willing to take initiative and coordinate with project managers to ensure assigned work items are completed on schedule. 

We are looking for candidates who are a graduate of, or current student in, a 2- or 4-year higher education program with an emphasis on water resource engineering, environmental science, urban planning, biology, or a related field. Basic to intermediate level experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro is desired. Every effort will be made to provide County vehicles for field use; however, candidates must have their own transportation for traveling to and from field sites, if needed. The candidate must have a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

This is an office position with regular Monday through Friday work hours (for example 8:00am – 4:30pm). Alternative work schedules are available including varying start times with the possibility for remote work opportunities depending on assignment. Candidate will work approximately 40 hours per week for up to 25 weeks, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The desired start date is flexible. Class credit may be available for these internships; please check with your academic advisor. Questions should be directed to Jeff Laramy at jlaramy@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-7709.

Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County! To learn more about the department you will be working for, visit the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Website. To learn more about other services Lake County provides and to see some of our employees in action visit our website to view videos. If you need assistance writing your resume, we have some tools to help you at our Human Resources website.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and may include a pre-employment medical exam at a County-approved medical facility, at no cost to the applicant. Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply for this internship, visit https://tinyurl.com/5c3xy4se

Job Location Libertyville, Illinois, United States

Position Type Intern

Salary $18.00 USD

Applications will be accepted until May 23, 2023

Nutrition minor revamp & FA25 course opportunities

 If you’ve taken NUTR 201, PHHE 295, or ENVS 210, you’re already on your way to completing a minor in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness — and now it’s easier than ever to finish!

We’ve made exciting changes to increase access and flexibility across all majors:
✅ More elective options to explore topics like Nutrition through the Lifecycle, Nutrition Education, and Nutrition in Relation to Sports and Exercise
✅ Fewer prerequisites – so you can enroll in more courses without added requirements
✅ Courses available every semester, with several offered online or in hybrid formats

Whether you're interested in health promotion, food systems, or just want to deepen your understanding of nutrition for personal or professional growth, this minor adds value to your degree and career readiness.

The department priority deadline to enroll in classes is by next Wednesday, May 14.  You will not be billed for the course until September. 

📄 Please see attached to learn more about the course offerings to achieve a minor in Nutrition, Health and Wellness
📩 Questions? Reach out to Dr. Julie Patterson at jpatterson2@niu.edu

Take the next step in building a healthier future — for yourself and others!

DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District

 DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District

It is our mission to responsibly protect our healthy soils and clean water for all generations

Job Title: District Conservation Planner

Job Location: Sycamore, Illinois

Position Type: Full time

Salary Range: $45,000-$60,000 Salary will be based on education and work experience

Education Requirements: Associate degree or greater. Knowledge of natural resource management and conservation best management practices is preferred. A degree in agriculture, natural resources or a related field is desired but not mandatory depending on qualifications and prior experience.

Benefits: Full benefit package available

Program Overview:

The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a local government unit established in 1947, serving DeKalb County, Illinois. Our vision is to conserve soil and water resources using evidence-based practices. We collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to promote conservation among all county residents.

Job Description:

The District Conservation Planner will plan and implement conservation and educational programs.

They should be familiar with production agriculture, natural resource concerns in farming, and urban stormwater management. Required skills include general GIS knowledge, keen observation, strong analytical abilities, and excellent communication and writing proficiency. The candidate will be required to attain Level III Conservation Planner status through training provided by the Natural

Resources Conservation Service. The candidate can expect occasional outdoor field work, afterhours work related to board meetings, special events and training. The selected candidate must have a valid driver’s license and be required to get fingerprinted and complete a federal government background check.

Key duties include:

• Assist with conservation programs in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Agriculture

(IDOA), USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and USDA- Farm Service

Agency (FSA).

• Assist with the NRCS Contribution Agreement.

• Manage the Partners for Conservation Program (PFC) and the Streambank Stabilization

Restoration Program (SSRP) through the IDOA.

• Provide support for additional conservation programs through the IDOA.

• Provide the County and Municipalities with natural resource information pertaining to

zoning, land use conversion and proposed land uses.

• Help with Natural Resource Protection in Urban and Rural Areas.

• District Sales Programs (Fish Sale, Rain Barrel Sale etc.)

• Maintain the DeKalb County SWCD website and Social Media Presence.

District Educational and Outreach Programs.

• Provide a commitment to building a better community and environment.

Job Offering Timeline: Closes May 11, 2025

Estimated start time: Early to mid-June

Mail Cover letter and Resume to: DeKalb County SWCD 1350 West Prairie Drive,

Sycamore, IL 60178 or Email: dekalbswcd@gmail.com

The DeKalb County SWCD is an equal opportunity employer. All programs and services of the DeKalb County SWCD are on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, natural origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or handicap. 

Join 2025 Pathways to Graduate Survey and Data Science Training

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Who is Eligible? 👩‍🏫Upper-level undergraduate students and recent graduates (post-baccalaureate) with an interest in social science research. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds who are curious about data, research methods, and exploring graduate study in survey and data science. Why Join the Pathways Program? 👩‍🏫 Free & Virtual The Pathways Program is completely free of charge (with a refundable $50 deposit) and held virtually, making it accessible no matter where you are. 🧑‍🏫 Tailored Learning We offer a flexible learning experience with 10 hours of live instruction in the Summer Program (July 28 – August 8, 2025, Mon–Fri, 12:00–1:00 PM EST) or 8 hours of live instruction in the Fall Program (October 4 – 26, 2025, Sat–Sun, 12:00–1:00 PM EST). The program combines hands-on activities, mentorship, and group discussions to enhance your learning. 🌟 Expert Guidance Learn directly from faculty at the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science (MPSDS)—leaders in the field who are passionate about mentoring the next generation of data-driven social science researchers. 🤝 Networking Opportunities Connect with peers, MPSDS students and alumni, and professionals across academia. The relationships you build here could help shape your future career. 🛠️ Hands-On Experience This isn’t just theory—it’s practical. You'll engage with real research, data, and methods that power today’s most important survey and social science projects. 🚀 Career Advancement Whether you’re planning to pursue graduate study or enter the workforce, the Pathways Program equips you with skills and insights to open new doors in survey and data science. Webinar: Information on our Pathways Program by MPSDS faculty, Henning Silber. If you have any questions about the Pathways Program or need help with the application process, feel free to reach out! You can contact us at MPSDS.Pathways@umich.edu—we’re happy to help.