Miller Worley Center for the Environment

Values of the Energy Transition Institute | We operate with a commitment to free, open, and ethical interdisciplinary research and to contributing to a fair and just society.Mission of the Energy Transition Institute | Our mission is to enable a fast and fair transition to a decarbonized energy system in the United States. We do stakeholder-engaged interdisciplinary research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a dual focus on technology systems and human systems to enable an… Show more Values of the Energy Transition Institute | We operate with a commitment to free, open, and ethical interdisciplinary research and to contributing to a fair and just society.Mission of the Energy Transition Institute | Our mission is to enable a fast and fair transition to a decarbonized energy system in the United States. We do stakeholder-engaged interdisciplinary research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a dual focus on technology systems and human systems to enable an equitable energy transition.Vision of the Energy Transition Institute |We envision a US energy transition that confronts and repairs inequities and injustices in the energy system and contributes to economic inclusion, equality, and justice while achieving the rapid and effective decarbonization essential to protect human and environmental well-being. We envision a system of scholarship, debate, and public and private decision-making about energy that promotes justice and shared prosperity. Show less

Supporting municipalities and organizations with their sustainability communications to the general public.

>Stakeholder cultivation>Relationship building>Presentations>Communications>Project managementWeekly facilitation of diverse stakeholders working to advance learning integrations during the forthcoming UMASS Amherst energy transition. Independently led research, garnered senior-level approval for program initiation efforts to establish the Carbon Literacy Project organizational partnership with UMass Amherst. Making UMass Amherst the first US… Show more >Stakeholder cultivation>Relationship building>Presentations>Communications>Project managementWeekly facilitation of diverse stakeholders working to advance learning integrations during the forthcoming UMASS Amherst energy transition. Independently led research, garnered senior-level approval for program initiation efforts to establish the Carbon Literacy Project organizational partnership with UMass Amherst. Making UMass Amherst the first US institution to deliver the training internally. Lead facilitator of multiple working groups, agenda development, and tasks follow through. Project managed the creation of a campus and regionally relevant Carbon Literacy Project curricular derivative. Show less

>Initiative Development>Project Management>Iterative Design>Problem Solving*The work was cut short due to the global covid-19 pandemic closure of all campus research.*Research and application of alternative materials for fabrication in the Design Thinking Initiative prototyping studios. Focused investigation on mycelium waste blocks fed by local sources of agricultural substrates to capture two waste streams. Investigating how the programmatic center of the… Show more >Initiative Development>Project Management>Iterative Design>Problem Solving*The work was cut short due to the global covid-19 pandemic closure of all campus research.*Research and application of alternative materials for fabrication in the Design Thinking Initiative prototyping studios. Focused investigation on mycelium waste blocks fed by local sources of agricultural substrates to capture two waste streams. Investigating how the programmatic center of the Design Thinking Initiative (DTI) can function as a circular resource. Show less

>Coalition Building>Best Practice Research & Synthesis>PresentationsResearched and analyzed global frameworks for city-collegiate partnerships that incorporate regionally specific problems through curricular matching, supporting both student skills development and local sustainability needs. Developed and garnered provost-level approval for a multi-year collaborative framework to support faculty in applied project-based learning success. Smith is continuing to… Show more >Coalition Building>Best Practice Research & Synthesis>PresentationsResearched and analyzed global frameworks for city-collegiate partnerships that incorporate regionally specific problems through curricular matching, supporting both student skills development and local sustainability needs. Developed and garnered provost-level approval for a multi-year collaborative framework to support faculty in applied project-based learning success. Smith is continuing to champion a campus-as-classroom approach to sustainability projects, which uses the campus as a sandbox for testing and analyzing to then apply to nearby projects. Show less

>Operations Management>Marketing & Business Development Plans>Financial Management>Customer, Vendor & Stakeholder RelationsDevelopment of mission driven business. Focusing on diversion of hazardous household waste from landfills. Utilizing eco-friendly washing practices to reduce dependence on harmful chemicals. Expanded service offerings in 2011 and established the state's first composting of biodegradable diapers for consumers. Further expansion to a commercial… Show more >Operations Management>Marketing & Business Development Plans>Financial Management>Customer, Vendor & Stakeholder RelationsDevelopment of mission driven business. Focusing on diversion of hazardous household waste from landfills. Utilizing eco-friendly washing practices to reduce dependence on harmful chemicals. Expanded service offerings in 2011 and established the state's first composting of biodegradable diapers for consumers. Further expansion to a commercial location in Holyoke MA in 2012 enabled commercial Ozone Technology for chemical-free sanitization and running operations exclusively on hydroelectric power. 5x growth in 7 years of operations. Show less

Acceptance into Venture Accelerator program for a one weekend a month intensive to transform and develop business operations and increase operating revenue.>Pitch Presentations >Business Model Development >Professional Networking >Operations Development

>Stakeholder Engagement>Capital Raising >Community BuildingAs the only hired staff working with a volunteer board, we successfully raise over $650,000 in seven months to preserve 120 acres of prime agricultural farmland from development to ensure food security and long-term access for our community. I managed and organized volunteers, facilitated targeted fundraising, and community outreach during our nine-month capital campaign (while also running my emerging business as a… Show more >Stakeholder Engagement>Capital Raising >Community BuildingAs the only hired staff working with a volunteer board, we successfully raise over $650,000 in seven months to preserve 120 acres of prime agricultural farmland from development to ensure food security and long-term access for our community. I managed and organized volunteers, facilitated targeted fundraising, and community outreach during our nine-month capital campaign (while also running my emerging business as a solopreneur). Show less

>Managing Quality of Production >Research & Development >Safety Testing >Inventory Management >Company Liaison

>Administrative Systems Organization>Interviewing & Hiring >Lead Recruiter >Campaign Political Lobbying >Canvas Manager & ED & Program Staff Liaison

Direct door-to-door education to citizens on local program campaigns. Identifying and developing supporters, raising funds, while conveying the mission and directive of CWA.