Pushing Boundaries

How grad students are supporting Colorado's decarbonization goals

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:45:07 +0000

How grad students are supporting Colorado's decarbonization goals Megan M Rogers Fri, 03/06/2026 - 10:45

In fall 2025, three 91��ý graduate students presented their findings and recommendations to the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) board. Their presentation focused on the role of long duration energy storage in maximizing transmission utilization, strengthening grid reliability, flexibility and resilience, and improving renewable integration. The work would go on to inform CETA's investment and policy decisions supporting clean energy across Colorado and the Western grid.

Simultaneously, in partnership with Third Derivative, a program of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a student team set out to understand how new low-carbon building technologies move from the lab into real-world application. Through more than 40 interviews with leaders from architecture, engineering and development firms, along with city staff and policy leaders, the team combined firsthand experience with data on building rules and markets to see where new ideas are most likely to take hold.

This work produced two new databases: one showing which U.S. cities and architecture, engineering and construction firms are most open to trying new technologies and another explaining how key decisions about buildings are made. Together, these tools create a practical guide for clearing common roadblocks. Third Derivative will use these findings to shape its building sector investment thesis and guide work across its portfolio of more than 250 startup companies.

Meanwhile, a third capstone team partnered with Denver’s Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) office to address decarbonization challenges by translating climate goals into actionable strategies for neighborhood-scale electrification. The team has provided CASR with foundational research to support its electrification strategy under Colorado House Bill 24-1370, which aims to reduce reliance on the natural gas system.

Their work includes analyzing state-level policies, utility proceedings and existing electrification programs across the Denver metro area; creating neighborhood profiles for five potential pilot sites; distributing a resident survey that generated over 200 responses to assess awareness of and interest in electrification; and producing a comprehensive report summarizing deliverables, recommendations and supporting research.

What do the three projects have in common? They are all a part of the capstone program within 91��ý’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program, and each contributes directly to Colorado’s decarbonization goals.

Colorado’s push for 100% renewable energy

Colorado has set one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in the United States: achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. Gov. Jared Polis’s decarbonization roadmap outlines strategies for reaching that target, including expanding green jobs, modernizing the Public Utilities Commission, electrifying transportation, and promoting energy efficiency and zero-emissions buildings—all aimed at improving air quality, community health and the local economy.

Achieving these goals will require significant expansion of clean energy technologies, infrastructure and workforce, along with investments in climate solutions. 91��ý’s MENV program is playing a critical role in supporting this mission by training the next generation of renewable energy leaders and advancing decarbonization projects through hands-on projects and collaborations.

Training the next generation of leaders

MENV is a two-year professional graduate degree designed to prepare students for sustainability-focused careers. Students choose a specialization offered within the program to build expertise, with approximately 20–25 students entering each year in the renewable and sustainable energy (RSE) specialization and additional students declaring RSE as a dual specialization to complement their primary focus.

The rigorous RSE curriculum combines core courses, such as Energy Systems and Technologies and Sustainable Energy Policy, with electives including Renewable Energy Development and Project Finance; Energy Markets, Transactions, and Policy; and Microgrids and Distributed Energy 91��ý. Through collaboration with industry partners, MENV ensures the curriculum remains current and aligned with evolving workforce needs, equipping students with the technical, analytical and policy tools needed to tackle complex energy challenges.

Student Jim Hansley shared his experience in the RSE specialization:

“The RSE specialization within the Masters of the Environment (MENV) program at 91��ý offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the clean energy transition. The curriculum spans energy systems, policy, markets, finance, buildings and emerging technologies, enabling students to see how technical, economic and regulatory forces interact to shape the future of energy. Courses are taught by practitioners and industry partners who bring current market realities into the classroom. Graduates leave with analytical depth and practical insight, prepared to engage complex energy challenges with practical perspective and meaningful impact.”

Students also connect classroom learning to real-world applications through field trips, site visits and study abroad opportunities that allow students to see energy systems and technologies in action. For example, in 2024, a group of MENV students traveled to Japan to deepen their understanding of international energy and climate strategies through site visits to wind farms, wastewater treatment facilities and electric power plants, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on applied, globally informed sustainability leadership.

Josh Radoff, RSE specialization lead and director of campus climate action, sustainability and resilience, continues to keep the RSE curriculum up to date to ensure students have industry-relevant skills by the time they graduate. Recently, he connected his two campus roles by introducing a new “campus as a living laboratory” course, which allows students to apply climate action planning, emissions analysis and sustainability solutions directly on 91��ý’s campus.

Radoff explains:

“Our goal at MENV, with our courses and with the capstone program, is to introduce people to the dynamic field of clean energy and decarbonization and to have students work on real-world applications, which ranges from techno-economic analysis on solar and battery storage, to policy analysis on urban thermal energy networks. The idea is that by becoming an energy and decarbonization subject matter expert, MENV students become equipped to take on a wide range of careers and project types.”

Capstones to careers

Capstone team Annika Cederstrand, Casey Chabot and Kaylie Larson with capstone advisor Joshua Radoff

A recent capstone highlight is the 2025 project by students Annika Cederstrand, Casey Chabot and Kaylie Larson, who partnered with OneEnergy Renewables under the leadership of capstone partner lead Mikkela Blanton of OneEnergy Renewables and Radoff, their capstone advisor.

Over an 11-month period, the team analyzed alternative interconnection pathways for renewable energy developers, focusing on reducing project costs and decreasing development timelines. The team delivered actionable recommendations for innovative development approaches and identified potential customers for OneEnergy’s outreach efforts, demonstrating tangible results for both the industry partners and Colorado’s clean energy transition.

Blanton shared:

“The capstone team exceeded my expectations, delivering innovative, data-driven work on interconnection pathways that will help our company explore new opportunities to accelerate decarbonization. Mentoring the students while gaining such high-quality results was incredibly rewarding.”

Cederstrand, Chabot and Larson each aspire to build careers across different sectors of the clean energy industry, with a shared interest in driving scalable, real-world solutions. Through the capstone experience, they strengthened their skills in strategic and technical analysis, stakeholder engagement and decision-making, preparing them to step into leadership roles within the clean energy sector.

Following the project, Larson joined OneEnergy’s commercial strategy team, where she will play a key role in advancing solar development and accelerating the growth of clean energy across Colorado and beyond.

Scaling impact

Capstone 2026 (MENV's 10th year) just kicked off and features partnerships including the city of Moab, Invenergy, Leitner-Poma and returning partner OneEnergy Renewables—offering students continued opportunities to tackle real-world decarbonization challenges.

As Colorado works toward its 2040 renewable energy goal, 91��ý’s MENV program continues to serve as a key resource for talent and expertise needed to drive impactful change across the state’s clean energy landscape. With 25 capstone projects planned for 2026, the program demonstrates that its efforts are far from finished, and MENV students are only just beginning their journey in driving impact in decarbonization across Colorado and beyond.

Among the 2026 capstone programs, MENV students will be working with Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030)—a movement of mountain, rural and ski resort communities working together to accelerate and scale systemic climate action. These students will help develop a community climate progress assessment tool to track municipal progress on emissions, renewable energy deployment, building decarbonization, sustainable transportation and waste diversion while engaging with local leaders, ski resorts and nonprofits to evaluate existing climate action plans. This project gives students hands-on experience in applying sustainability solutions to real communities, driving impact locally.

Alumni driving change

The MENV program develops future generations of sustainability leaders who actively contribute to Colorado’s clean energy transition across public and private sectors. Graduates now hold positions at organizations such as Scout Clean Energy, OneEnergy Renewables, Invenergy, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, where they support renewable energy development, policy implementation and climate solutions.

Masters of the Environment students are advancing Colorado's decarbonization goals through projects that support clean energy innovation, policy development and real-world climate solutions.

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The Mountain Research Station is an interdisciplinary facility of INSTAAR, providing research and educational opportunities for scientists, students and the general public. Photo by Patrick Campbell/91��ý.

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Researchers collecting samples at the Mountain Research Station, an interdisciplinary facility of INSTAAR, providing research and educational opportunities for scientists, students and the general public. Photo by Patrick Campbell/91��ý.

CU librarian curates philosophy collection to elevate women's voices

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:45:12 +0000

CU librarian curates philosophy collection to elevate women's voices Megan M Rogers Fri, 03/06/2026 - 09:45

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Who is remembered in philosophy? A University Libraries project asks anew.

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Conducting space research as an undergrad

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:18:13 +0000

Conducting space research as an undergrad Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:18

Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences

As a sophomore, Diana Hernandez is performing research using data from a sun-orbiting space probe. It's an impressive job for a student who only recently completed her first thermodynamics course.

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Coding with creativity: How ATLAS students think beyond algorithms

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:56:51 +0000

Coding with creativity: How ATLAS students think beyond algorithms Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/27/2026 - 08:56

ATLAS Institute

The expectation? As part of the assignment, explore AI tools, as more and more companies require software engineers to use AI to some extent. But also: Understand the logic and learn to write your own code to discover what AI gets right, wrong, good, bad or mediocre.

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Ventures putting people first at 91��ý

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:25:35 +0000

Ventures putting people first at 91��ý Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/16/2025 - 08:25

91��ý actively incubates and supports nonprofit and for-profit ventures with broad societal impact, from far-reaching educational and wellness tools to vaccine accessibility and water security.

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A new beat: Transformed 91��ý percussion studio prepares musicians for every stage

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:12:01 +0000

A new beat: Transformed 91��ý percussion studio prepares musicians for every stage Megan M Rogers Fri, 12/12/2025 - 09:12

College of Music

Explore how the College of Music's percussion studio is taking bold steps forward with a revamped curriculum and a renewed focus on versatility, collaboration and joy in music making.

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On Jane Goodall's legacy—a Q&A with Andrew Mayock

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:15:01 +0000

On Jane Goodall's legacy—a Q&A with Andrew Mayock Megan M Rogers Thu, 11/13/2025 - 14:15

As 91��ý deepens its commitment to sustainability and climate action, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock brings a uniquely global perspective to campus. In addition to leading CU’s sustainability strategy, Mayock serves on the board of the Jane Goodall Institute, helping to carry forward the legacy of one of the world’s most influential environmental leaders.

Mayock recently returned from a board trip to Tanzania, where the board visited the Gombe Stream Research Centre, a living laboratory, home to the world’s most studied group of wild chimpanzees, and met with Roots & Shoots students in Kigoma and Arusha.

We spoke with him about what’s next for Goodall’s mission, how her philosophy aligns with 91��ý’s vision, and what it will take to inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Goodall has inspired generations to care deeply about our planet. What’s next for her legacy? How is the institute evolving to meet today's global sustainability challenges?

Visiting Gombe, the birthplace of Jane’s groundbreaking research, was a profound reminder that her legacy began with careful observation, empathy, and a willingness to challenge convention. Jane was also passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects.

Today, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is about maintaining Jane’s momentum and deepening her work and legacy by combining rigorous science with community-centered conservation. This means not only protecting chimpanzees and other species and their habitats but also empowering the people who live alongside them. JGI’s work in forest restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and youth engagement continues to exemplify the shift from conservation for people and wildlife to conservation with people and wildlife. Further, it is about continuing to expand Roots and Shoots, the youth leadersship program, started over thirty years ago.

Goodall often emphasized hope and individual action as the foundation for change. How can large institutions like CU harness that same sense of agency?

Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock

Goodall’s message—that every individual makes a difference—translates powerfully into the context of a university like 91��ý. Large institutions can sometimes feel impersonal or slow to move, yet they are made up of individuals whose daily choices shape culture and impact.

At 91��ý, we’re working to embed agency into every level of sustainability engagement. That means creating pathways for personal connection—through participatory climate planning, faculty-led research that responds to community needs, and student projects that turn ideas into action. By linking global challenges to local solutions and celebrating visible progress, we nurture the same sense of purpose and hope that Jane has inspired in millions around the world.

The Roots & Shoots movement empowered young people to take action in their communities. What can universities do to cultivate that same spirit of curiosity, compassion and commitment?

Meeting Roots & Shoots students in Tanzania reminded me that curiosity, compassion and community are universal, and essential, for sustainable change. Universities can cultivate this spirit by reimagining education not as a transmission of knowledge but as a co-creation of solutions.

Programs that integrate experiential learning, civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration are key. When students see that their actions—whether restoring a local ecosystem, addressing food insecurity or developing new climate technologies—can tangibly improve their community, they experience the same transformative spark that Jane ignited in her young changemakers.

How can institutions balance the personal call to action with the systemic change required at the scale of higher education or government?

Jane recognized that stories move hearts, and data moves minds. Institutions need both. At 91��ý, we’re learning that systemic change, whether achieving carbon neutrality or embedding sustainability into the curriculum, relies on connecting the personal to the structural.

By elevating personal narratives of action and aligning them with institutional goals, we humanize the systems we seek to transform. A student’s composting project, a researcher’s breakthrough in renewable energy or a staff member’s innovative waste solution—each story becomes part of a collective movement toward systemic transformation.

The balance lies in recognizing that systemic change starts with individual conviction, and individual conviction is sustained by belonging to something larger than oneself. That’s the essence of Jane’s message, and the opportunity before all of us.

In addition to leading CU's sustainability strategy, Vice Chancellor of Sustainability Andrew Mayock serves on the board of the Jane Goodall Institute, helping to carry forward the legacy of one of the world's most influential environmental leaders.

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Students, librarians create smarter sustainable materials library

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:03:50 +0000

Students, librarians create smarter sustainable materials library Megan M Rogers Tue, 11/11/2025 - 08:03

The University Libraries partnered with faculty and students in the Environmental Design program to build a better materials library focused on sustainable design. By contributing their expertise, librarians helped students create a resource that supports hands-on learning and future-forward design practices.

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91��ý's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:41:29 +0000

91��ý's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact Megan M Rogers Fri, 10/31/2025 - 13:41

More than 50 years ago, 91��ý planted a bold idea: that leadership isn’t reserved for a select few—it lives within us all. What started with the formation of the Presidents Leadership Class in 1972 grew into the Center for Leadership (CFL), established in 2020. Today, CFL supports a vibrant leadership ecosystem on campus and empowers thousands of students to lead with purpose and authenticity.

Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series

Join a talk with the acclaimed producer and Madison Wells CEO Gigi Pritzker, who will delve into the transformative power of bold storytelling—highlighting how film, television and theater can drive cultural impact, amplify underrepresented voices and inspire meaningful change.

Monday, Nov. 17
7:30 p.m.
Macky Auditorium
Open to the public
$3–$20

In just five years, CFL has experienced powerful growth, starting with 19 affiliate programs across campus to 45, now reaching more than 12,000 students each year. But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about transformation. CFL’s campuswide model blends research, hands-on learning and a deep commitment to equity, ensuring leadership development is accessible to students of every major, background and identity.

The results speak volumes. CFL’s mentorship scores consistently exceed national benchmarks, and students report significant gains in leader identity and self-efficacy. And, for the last two years, 91��ý has earned a spot on Time Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Colleges for Future Leaders.”

CFL also brings leadership to life through signature events such as the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, which will host Emmy award-winning film producer Gigi Pritzker on Nov. 17, and the Conference on World Affairs, where global changemakers—think Cynthia Erivo and David Brooks—share their stories and inspire the next generation of Buffs.

Now, as CFL celebrates its fifth anniversary, it’s also looking back. A new history report, “A Legacy Realized: The Making of 91��ý’s Center for Leadership,” traces the university’s long-standing commitment to leadership education—from early civic engagement efforts to today’s nationally recognized programs.

5 questions with Stefanie Johnson

Stefanie Johnson, director of the Center for Leadership and professor at Leeds School of Business, reflects on the center’s journey and its vision for 2030—that humans who are interested in leadership will come to see Boulder as the place where leaders are made.

What does the 5-year milestone mean for the center?

Five years is a big milestone—it’s both a celebration and a chance to reflect. When the Center for Leadership launched in 2020, Chancellor Philip DiStefano had a bold vision: to shape tomorrow’s leaders by bringing 91��ý’s many leadership efforts together under one coordinated, research-driven hub.

Fast forward to today, and that vision has truly come to life. The center now connects 45 affiliate programs across every college; leads signature initiatives like the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Newton Fellows Program; and has become a national model for how a public university can scale leadership education.

This milestone shows that leadership isn’t just an add-on at 91��ý anymore—it’s part of our institutional DNA.

How do you define success for the center?

For us, success isn’t just about how many programs or events we run—it’s really about impact and identity. We look at success through four lenses.

Are leaders born or made?

Our research shows that about 30% of leadership is genetic—your intelligence, extraversion, height and things like that. But 70% of leadership is learned. The Center for Leadership uses evidence-based practices to ensure students are learning leadership while they are Buffs.”

Access: Every CU student should have a way into leadership development, no matter their major or background.
Depth: Our programs combine theory, research and hands-on practice—whether that’s coaching, outdoor leadership intensives or civic engagement projects.
Community: We’ve built an ecosystem where faculty, staff, alumni and community partners mentor and learn alongside students.
Evidence: Through rigorous evaluation and data, we can show how leadership education boosts student success, well-being and civic engagement.

At the end of the day, if students leave 91��ý seeing themselves as leaders—ready to act with integrity, creativity and care—that’s when we know we’ve succeeded.

How does the center ensure every student can access leadership opportunities?

Accessibility is really at the heart of our model. Instead of creating one selective program, we built a network of leadership opportunities that meets students where they are.

Through our Affiliate Leadership Network, we coordinate with 45 programs—everything from academic minors and ROTC to athletics, student affairs initiatives and community-based leadership experiences—so students can choose the format that fits them best.

We’ve also introduced low-barrier entry points like the Emerging Leadership Academy, which is open to all students, and our Boulder-CU Leadership Program mentoring initiative. By uniting programs, removing financial barriers and creating multiple on-ramps—from micro-credentials to fellowships—we make sure leadership education at 91��ý is for everyone, not just the already-involved few.

What role does the center play in 91��ý's vision of transforming lives to create a sustainable world?

We see leadership as the bridge between learning and lasting impact. The center helps turn 91��ý’s world-class teaching and research into ethical, sustainable action.

Our students don’t just study climate or innovation—they lead projects that make those values real: reducing waste in Boulder, improving mental-health access, planting trees, mentoring youth and launching civic-impact challenges.

We teach students to lead with self-awareness, social responsibility and a systems mindset. For us, sustainability isn’t just environmental—it’s human and organizational. It’s about sustaining communities, workplaces and democracy itself.

That’s why we believe leadership development is 91��ý’s most powerful tool for transforming lives and shaping a just, sustainable world.

What advice do you have for students who want to get involved?

For faculty, staff

A-Lab (Affiliate-Lab) is a three-year-long development and grant opportunity for CFL affiliate programs. A-Lab supports affiliate staff and faculty in advancing their programming, generating elevated leadership education across 91��ý. Learn more.

My advice? Start anywhere—but start. Leadership is within us all. If you’re curious about leadership, there are so many ways to jump in. Join the Emerging Leaders Academy, which happens once a month, or sign up for mentoring or take LEAD 1000, the first course in the leadership studies minor.

You can also check out the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series. This fall, we’re thrilled to host film producer Gigi Pritzker. And the week before, on Nov. 6, we’re screening her Emmy-nominated film "Nonnas"—it’s a great way to connect with other students who geek out about learning how to lead.

Leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about showing up with courage, curiosity and purpose. Every student at 91��ý has the capacity to lead. We’re here to help you discover how.

More than 50 years ago, 91��ý planted a bold idea—that leadership isn't reserved for a select few. What started with the formation of the Presidents Leadership Class in 1972 grew into the Center for Leadership, established in 2020. Today, the center empowers thousands of students to lead with purpose and authenticity.

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NSF I-Corps at 91��ý helps researchers solve pressing problems

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:36:14 +0000

NSF I-Corps at 91��ý helps researchers solve pressing problems Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/21/2025 - 08:36

From agriculture to aerospace, the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program is a launchpad on campus, helping innovators in and out of CU bring research and inventions to the people who need them most.

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Pushing Boundaries

How grad students are supporting Colorado's decarbonization goals

Colorado’s push for 100% renewable energy

Training the next generation of leaders

Capstones to careers

Scaling impact

Alumni driving change

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On Jane Goodall's legacy—a Q&A with Andrew Mayock

Goodall has inspired generations to care deeply about our planet. What’s next for her legacy? How is the institute evolving to meet today's global sustainability challenges?

Goodall often emphasized hope and individual action as the foundation for change. How can large institutions like CU harness that same sense of agency?

The Roots & Shoots movement empowered young people to take action in their communities. What can universities do to cultivate that same spirit of curiosity, compassion and commitment?

How can institutions balance the personal call to action with the systemic change required at the scale of higher education or government?

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Students, librarians create smarter sustainable materials library

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91��ý's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact

What does the 5-year milestone mean for the center?

How do you define success for the center?

Are leaders born or made?

How does the center ensure every student can access leadership opportunities?

What role does the center play in 91��ý's vision of transforming lives to create a sustainable world?

What advice do you have for students who want to get involved?

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NSF I-Corps at 91��ý helps researchers solve pressing problems

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