In the dynamic landscape of higher education, sustainability is becoming increasingly crucial. Dr. Udo is at the forefront of this effort as Bucknell’s Director of Sustainability. Dr. Udo is also the Chairman of Bucknell University’s President’s Sustainability Council.
Dr. Udo has a robust educational background, including a PhD in Urban Affairs, an MSc. in Energy Management and Environmental Policy, and an ME in Electrical Engineering. Joining the Bucknell team in 2019, Dr. Udo’s impressive resume and experience brings an abundance of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Bucknell’s Sustainability Council works to implement the University’s 10-year plan. The “process of creating a plan like this is a shared vision,” says Dr. Udo. The main goals of the plan include: ecological conservation/restoration, carbon neutrality by 2030, pathway to zero waste, and continual socially responsible investing for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts.
Bucknell’s efforts are divided into four areas: social sustainability, technical sustainability, environmental sustainability, governance & asset management process.
In reference to sustainability efforts, Dr. Udo asserts the “bottom line is everyone wants to have an earth and a planet that we want to preserve.” The Strategic Plan emphasizes the Nature-Human Connection through the Bucknell Greenway. He encourages student involvement through activities like working with the teams or aiding in the planting of trees on the Greenway.
Furthermore, community involvement is a pivotal component of Bucknell’s Sustainability plans. The University’s objective highlights the importance of enabling social sustainability (behavioral changes) as one of the critical factors in ensuring environmental sustainability. This idea revolves around how to get people to both think and act differently. At Bucknell, the board looks at social sustainability, specifically behavioral changes at a micro level, such as the simple act of turning off lights when leaving a room.
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