Erb Institute

09/10/2026

When Licieli Olivo (MBA/MS '27) set out for her summer internship with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, she expected to study supply chains. What she actually gained was a masterclass in human-centered accountability.

Traveling across farms in North Carolina and Virginia alongside former farmworkers, Licieli saw firsthand how the Fair Food Program shifts power back to field workers. From education sessions in the fields to immediate, real-time resolution of safety concerns, she witnessed what happens when worker well-being isn't just a corporate talking point, but the very mechanism driving the supply chain.

Her journey is a powerful reminder for future sustainability leaders to look past formal job postings, get into the field, and design experiences that bring you face-to-face with ground-level realities.

Read Licieli's full story: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/what-i-learned-interning-with-the-coalition-of-immokalee-workers-get-on-the-ground

09/04/2026

For Paula Luu (MBA/MS '19), our dual-degree program provided the foundation and perspective to bridge business and sustainability. As we reflect on 30 years of Erb, alumni like Paula remind us how valuable this community is for fostering leaders who can connect diverse perspectives and drive real-world impact.

Learn more about our dual-degree program: https://erb.umich.edu/education/graduate-program.

09/01/2026

“Do you still do WhirlyBall?”; “Is Jug Day still happening?”; “Did you go to Erb Camping?” 🏕️🌿

Every cohort brings new perspectives, but it’s our shared traditions that keep the Erb community connected across generations. From serious discussions on climate strategy to random Tuesday curling matches, Erb holds space for both the big ideas and the pure fun.

As we celebrate the Erb Institute’s 30th anniversary, we’re honoring the traditions—and the people—that make this community so special. We can't wait to bring everyone back together to celebrate three decades of impact at Erb Returns!

🔗 Visit https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/erbs-traditions-stand-the-test-of-time to read more about some of our favorite Erb moments.

08/31/2026

Welcome to our newest cohort at the Erb Institute! 〽️💙

This fall, we're proud to welcome over 30 new dual-degree students and more than 50 new Erb Fellows. Our growing network brings together future sustainability leaders from right here in Ann Arbor all the way to Gilgit, Pakistan.

This incoming class also marks a fun milestone: our very first "double Erber"—a new dual-degree student who was a member of our inaugural Erb Fellows class back in 2021!

To our new and returning students: welcome home! We can't wait to see what you'll accomplish at Erb this year.

08/28/2026

Technology alone won't solve climate change if projects in developing and emerging markets can't access financing. In fact, clean energy financing costs in these regions can be up to seven times higher than in developed nations.

Learn more about how Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and smart project finance modeling can help bridge this $215 billion annual equity gap:

The Erb Institute at the University of Michigan empowers future leaders to drive sustainable business and environmental impact through innovative education, research, and partnerships.

08/24/2026

Before this summer, Erber Caroline Hubbard (MBA/MS '28) didn't see herself as a data modeling expert. But during her EDF Climate Corps Fellowship with climate tech startup Pascal Technologies, she built complex models to help communicate the climate value of high-efficiency refrigerants to investors and customers.

From deep-diving into technical literature to collaborating closely with leadership, Caroline's summer experience reshaped how she sees her own potential.

Read her full reflection: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/my-summer-of-growth-at-pascal-technologies

08/21/2026

From the archives! Does anyone still have this t-shirt? 👀 We can't wait to see you at Erb Returns!

08/20/2026

When Rupal Bain was a graduate student at Erb, she traveled to Odisha, India, to develop a business plan for a solar lantern initiative alongside a local woman-led organization. That experience showed her firsthand that clean energy solutions must fit the real-world social and economic context to truly succeed.

Decades later, she carries those same principles into her work scaling clean energy projects across the U.S.

🔗 Read more about how Rupal's time at the Erb Institute helped shape her mission to turn green ideas into real-world impact: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/erb.umich.edu-about-erb-news-solar-power-rupal-bain-2008-on-making-an-impact

08/14/2026

The heart of the Erb Institute has always been its people. As we celebrate 30 years of sustainable leadership, our alumni reflect on the power of this community and why they can’t wait to gather back in Ann Arbor this fall.

Whether you're coming to catch up with old classmates or build new connections, Erb Returns is the place to be this September.

We hope to see you there! 〽️💙

08/11/2026

We're counting down the days to an unforgettable weekend. Will we see you at Erb Returns this September? 💙 ✨