Scholarship Opportunity: $2,500 GBES Sustainability Scholarship

Are you passionate about sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment? GBES is offering a $2,500 Sustainability Scholarship to support college students committed to building a more sustainable future!

The annual GBES Sustainability Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship through their academic work, research, community involvement, or personal experiences.

This is a great opportunity for Environmental Studies students interested in sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, conservation, and other environmental fields.

Scholarship Details

• Award Amount: $2,500

• Application Deadline: November 20, 2026

• Number of Awards: One

• Award Distribution: Funds will be paid directly to the recipient's university to support eligible educational expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time as a college junior at an accredited college or university.

• Be pursuing a degree related to sustainability.

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Application Requirements

Students must submit:

• A completed online application.

• An unofficial college transcript.

• A letter of recommendation from a faculty member, mentor, employer, or community leader.

• An essay of no more than 750 words addressing the theme "Innovating for a Sustainable Future: Solving Today's Environmental Challenges."

The essay should explore how technological, social, policy, and other forms of innovation can work together to address environmental challenges.

Recommendation letters must be emailed directly to gbes.support@tuvsud.com.

Important: The online application must be completed in one sitting, so students should prepare their materials before beginning.

Apply Today!

Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026

Visit the GBES Sustainability Scholarship website to review the complete requirements and submit your application.

If you've been involved in sustainability projects, environmental research, student organizations, or community initiatives, consider applying and sharing how your experiences have shaped your vision for a more sustainable future!

Paid Science Communication Internship Opportunity: Spring 2027

Are you passionate about science and interested in helping others understand important scientific discoveries and research? The Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) is seeking an NIU undergraduate or graduate student for a paid Science Communication Internship in Spring 2027!

C2ST is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that connects science and technology with the public through educational events, community programs, and accessible science communication.

This internship is a great opportunity for Environmental Studies students interested in science communication, environmental education, public outreach, and translating complex scientific topics into engaging content for broader audiences.

What Will You Do?

As a science communication intern, you will:

• Write articles for C2ST's blog and newsletter.

• Develop engaging social media content.

• Research science and technology topics.

• Interview scientists and technology experts.

• Help communicate scientific information to public audiences.

Internship Details

• Pay: $17 per hour

• Hours: Approximately 10 hours per week

• Duration: 12 weeks, approximately early February through late April 2027

• Location: Primarily remote, with some in-person events in Chicago

• Eligibility: NIU undergraduate and graduate students

Who Should Apply?

C2ST is looking for students with excellent writing and analytical skills and a demonstrated interest in science education and outreach.

Experience in journalism, communications, marketing, visual media, nonprofit organizations, social media, or web content management is a plus.

Students interested in environmental science, sustainability, science communication, or public engagement are encouraged to consider this opportunity.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

1. Log in to Huskies Get Hired.

2. Search for "C2ST" under Jobs or follow the direct posting link.

3. Submit your resume and a one-page cover letter by the deadline.

NIU Career Services will review applications and nominate selected students to C2ST. The organization will then interview nominees and make final hiring decisions.

Need help with your application? NIU Career Services can review your resume and cover letter before you apply. Schedule an appointment through Huskies Get Hired.

For questions, contact Michaela Holtz at mholtz@niu.edu.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain paid professional experience while helping make science more accessible to everyone!

Level Up Your Creativity at Startup Standup: Retro Arcade Edition!

Ready to put your creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test? Startup Standup is back, and this year it's going retro arcade!

Hosted by NIU, Startup Standup combines improv, storytelling, and pitching in a fun, interactive experience that challenges students to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.

This year's theme focuses on one of the most important skills in innovation: understanding what people truly value.

What would a Pong paddle need to do its job better? What does a Space Invaders cannon wish it had?

Working in teams, participants will meet fictional clients straight out of classic arcade games, interview them through improv, and discover the challenges they face. Then, teams will develop their own creative "power-ups" and pitch their solutions for a chance to win the Startup Standup Cup!

No business or entrepreneurship experience is needed. Students from all majors are encouraged to participate!

Event Details

Part 1: Friday, October 23, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Part 2: Friday, October 30, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Location: 71 North Partnership Studio, 217 Normal Road, DeKalb, IL

Lunch is provided at both sessions, and participants will have opportunities to win prizes!

Students should plan to attend both sessions.

Why Participate?

Whether you're interested in sustainability, environmental problem-solving, entrepreneurship, or simply trying something new, Startup Standup offers an opportunity to strengthen skills that apply across disciplines, including creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and understanding the needs of others.

Register Today!

Registration is available separately for each session:

• Part 1, October 23: Register here

• Part 2, October 30: Register here

For questions, contact Dr. Anna Klis, Associate Professor of Economics, at aklis@niu.edu.

Get ready to think outside the arcade and level up your ideas!

Spring 2027 Course Spotlight: Resource Conflicts and Environmental Peacebuilding

Why do shortages of natural resources sometimes lead to conflict, while other times they encourage cooperation? How do environmental conflicts reflect social inequalities, and can environmental peacebuilding efforts create lasting change?

Explore these questions in Resource Conflicts and Environmental Peacebuilding, an interdisciplinary course offered by Dr. Emily McKee in Spring 2027.

Through ethnographic books, articles, films, news reports, and case studies from around the world, students will examine the relationships between natural resources, political conflict, social inequality, and environmental cooperation.

Topics include:

• How resource shortages contribute to conflict or cooperation.

• The role of social inequalities in environmental conflicts, both within and across national borders.

• The impacts of environmental peacebuilding initiatives on communities and ecosystems.

The course brings together perspectives from anthropology, environmental studies, and other fields, making it a great option for students interested in environmental justice, sustainability, international relations, and conflict resolution.

Course Details

• Course: ANTH 466/566, ENVS 466

• Semester: Spring 2027

• Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–10:45 a.m.

• Instructor: Dr. Emily McKee

• Additional Requirement: Satisfies NIU's Writing Infused Course requirement

Interested students can find the course in MyNIU when planning their Spring 2027 schedules.

For more information or questions, contact Dr. Emily McKee at ekmckee@niu.edu.

Former Vice President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla to Speak at NIU

NIU students have a unique opportunity this October to hear from Dr. H.M. Jusuf Kalla, former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, during his visit to campus as NIU's Distinguished Global Leader in Residence.

Vice President Kalla will be at NIU from October 12-23, 2026, sharing his experience and perspectives through a series of public lectures addressing Indonesian politics, regional autonomy, peacebuilding, sustainable development, and the transition to a greener economy.

Environmental Studies students may be particularly interested in two lectures on Tuesday, October 20, exploring the connections among economic development, sustainability, technology, industry, and employment.

Lecture Schedule

Tuesday, October 13 | 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Power Closer to the People: The Impact and Consequences of Regional Autonomy in Indonesia
DuSable Hall, Room 176

Thursday, October 15 | 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Main Public Lecture
Indonesia at a Crossroads: What's Changing in Its Politics, and Why
Altgeld Hall, Room 315, Board of Trustees Room

Monday, October 19 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lessons from the Search for Peace: Aceh, Afghanistan, and Southern Thailand
Latino Resource Center, 515 Garden Road, DeKalb

Tuesday, October 20 | 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Growing Fast, Growing Green: Can Developing Countries Achieve Both?
La Tourette Hall, Room 201

This lecture will examine a question at the heart of environmental studies: how countries can pursue economic development while also addressing environmental sustainability.

Tuesday, October 20 | 12:30-1:45 p.m.
Making the Green Transition Work: Industry, Technology, and Jobs in Indonesia's Political Economy
DuSable Hall, Room 140

This discussion will explore how industry, technology, employment, and public policy intersect as countries transition toward greener economies.

Indonesia and NIU have longstanding connections, making this an especially valuable opportunity to learn from an international leader with extensive experience in government, economic development, conflict resolution, and public policy.

All lectures are free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Students are encouraged to attend one or more sessions and take advantage of this unusual opportunity to connect classroom topics with the experiences of a major international leader.