Sustainable Design at Illinois

Sustainable Design at Illinois Official account for the B.S. in Sustainable Design degree program through the College of FAA

Say hello to… the New Student Ambassador Team! We’re so excited to welcome our newest SAC members and can’t wait to see ...
09/10/2026

Say hello to… the New Student Ambassador Team!

We’re so excited to welcome our newest SAC members and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they accomplish in their new positions!

To kick things off, we’re excited to introduce our New Student Ambassador team!

Let’s meet the team! —>

What do New Student Ambassador’s do?

Meet and welcome new and prospective students through tours, visit days, and program event.

Tara Giblin:

I am a senior in BSSD with a strong interest in how architecture, sustainability, and human-centered design intersect. As a transfer student, I am passionate about making everyone within our program feel welcome, included, and free to express their ideas-just as I felt when I transferred into BSSD. In my time here, I have involved myself through clubs like Alpha Rho Chi, AIAS, and SBMA. With this experience, combined with my passion for outreach and design, I hope to help foster a strong, welcoming community within BSSD and ensure that students feel like they belong.

Chieley Geiler:

Junior in Sustainable Design who is in interested designing public space with all levels of community in mind and connecting new and prospective students to how they can translate their creative passions into helping others.

Sofia Dominguez:

Hi! My name is Sofia Dominguez and I am a
Sustainable Design student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I’m passionate about sustainability, architecture, and urban design, and enjoy exploring how thoughtful design can help create stronger and more sustainable communities. I’m excited to serve as a student ambassador and look forward to connecting with other students, represent their perspectives, and help create meaningful opportunities and experiences within the Sustainable Design program.

Xitlalli Cabrera:

Hello everyone, I’m Xitlalli Cabrera! I am one of the Student Ambassadors for SAC and I am excited to begin working with other students in BSSD! I am currently a senior in Sustainable Design with a minor in Architecture and Spanish, and my main focus is sustainable building practices. Through BSSD I have been able to travel to London for a study abroad trip focusing on urban sustainability.

Let’s shine a spotlight on our BSSD students and their internships they took part in this summer!!!Meet Callie Preisman,...
09/01/2026

Let’s shine a spotlight on our BSSD students and their internships they took part in this summer!!!
Meet Callie Preisman, who interned at Elemental Interiors!

Congratulations Callie!

Let’s hear about it! —>

BSSD:
Tell us about your internship this summer? What company or organization did you work for? What was your role within the internship?

CP:
This summer, I had the pleasure of interning with Elemental Interiors as a residential interior design intern. I led my own client project from start to finish, from the consultation through installation. I worked on-site, sat in on client meetings, assisted with ACAD drawing sets, and learned how to present design work to clients. I also redesigned the company’s website and social media platforms, growing engagement.

BSSD:
How has the BSSD program prepared you for this role?

CP:
BSSD prepared me well for this role by exposing me to the technical side of design that I saw every day on the job. The program also encouraged me to seek out designers focused on community involvement and sustainability close to home in New Jersey, which is how I found Elemental Interiors and eventually earned my internship there.

BSSD:
Do you have a dream job or role you hope to play in the future? If in any way, how does your internship connect to that dream job or role?

CP:
Looking ahead, my dream job would be designing commercial and public spaces, like office buildings and schools, with a focus on how a space truly fits into its environment. This internship gave me so much more confidence that I can get there, and I owe a lot of that to my bosses for trusting me. I believe our environment and community are core to what makes us human, and BSSD has shown me how a career in design can nurture that.

BSSD:
Do you have advice for BSSD students interested in applying and pursuing an internship?

CP:
My advice for BSSD students looking for an internship is to get started and be bold. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone during the search helped me get the right phone calls. And when it came to interviewing, what really helped was talking about what I’m passionate about, staying curious, and being honest about how much I still have

We’re excited to share a new study abroad course opportunity for the Summer of 2027! This hands-on course will explore n...
08/31/2026

We’re excited to share a new study abroad course opportunity for the Summer of 2027! This hands-on course will explore natural and living materials through engaging, experiential activities.

If you are intrested in being a part of this experience, be sure to submit your application by December 7, 2026.

FAA 313: SD Basque Design- Circular Economy and BioDesign in Bilbao

Summer Short Term:
May 27th, 2027- June 6th, 2027

Application Deadline:
December 7, 2026

Program Cost:
$2,700+ cost of group flight

Description:
With a national focus on biomimicry, low-resource manufacturing, and climate-resilient design, a visit to Spain provides a unique opportunity to experience how biodesign is shaping more sustainable industries and communities.

Hands on-in class activities consist of:
-Field exploration
-Natural dye extraction
-Work with mycelium and bioplastics
-Natural dye extraction from living materials
-Experimental laboratory sessions

08/28/2026

In case you missed it… here are some Quad Day organizations focusing in sustainability and the environment!
Membership opportunities are opening up this coming week for many of these organizations, so if you’re interested in getting involved, be sure to reach out to them and learn more!

1: Green Streets UIUC

Green Streets:
-Meets up to conduct recycling and trash pickups
-Pickups every sunday at 12pm

2: Epsilon Eta Epsilon

Epsilon Eta Epsilon:
-Professional environmental and sustainability fraternity
-Creates connections with people of similar interests
helps with career building

3: Illini Wildlife and Conservation Club

Illini Wildlife & Conservation Club;
-Create connections with students who are interested in wildlife, conservation, and environment/outdoors
-Takes off campus trips to explore
-Hosts volunteer events within campus

4: Red Bison

Red Bison:
-Advocates for environmental justice and healthy ecosystems within and out of campus
-Confronts systemic issues
-Volunteering events within campus

5: The Wildlife Society - UIUC

The Wildlife Society:
-Inspires wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations
-Uses science-based management and conservation to reach goal
-Explores within the outdoors

6: ActGreen

Act green:
-Career building organization surrounding sustainability and the environment
-Strives to help individuals create change through business innovation and career development

Let’s continue shining a spotlight on our BSSD Students and their internships they took part in this summer!Meet Faye We...
08/25/2026

Let’s continue shining a spotlight on our BSSD Students and their internships they took part in this summer!
Meet Faye Wettstein, who interned at the Office of Energy and Environment at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority!

Congratulations Faye!

Let’s hear about it! —>

BSSD: Tell us about your internship this summer? What company or organization did you work for? What was your role within the internship?

FW: I’m working as a Sustainability Intern for the Office of Energy and Environment at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). WMATA is the leading public transit agency for the DC Metro region, and this is my second summer interning here! The team I work for leads innovation in sustainability best practices at WMATA, proposing and implementing everything from improved sustainable design guidelines to energy efficiency projects.

BSSD: How has the BSSD program prepared you for this role?

FW: The BSSD program prepared me for my role at WMATA by providing me with an adaptable sustainability toolkit and the knowledge necessary to meaningfully contribute to projects. I’ve really appreciated the support and guidance I’ve received from my advisors (shoutout Ashley and Karin), who have always encouraged me. I also prepared myself by pursuing leadership opportunities in my RSOs and research assistantship positions. This prepared me to contribute to interdisciplinary projects and succeed in my internship.

BSSD: Do you have a dream job or role you hope to play in the future? If in any way, how does your internship connect to that dream job or role?

FW: Ultimately, I am really passionate about sustainable urban planning and would love any job that allows me to manage sustainability projects. I hope to work in the public sector and would love to eventually work internationally at an organization like the World Bank or at UN-Habitat. WMATA has prepared me to work collaboratively on complex, interdisciplinary planning projects. Overall, I have loved my internship experience and would encourage anyone interested in sustainable design to apply for a public transit agency!

BSSD: Do you have advice for BSSD students interested in apply

The semester has begun. Let's go! 🎉The last day to drop a full-semester course is the 10th day of classes, September 4.➡...
08/24/2026

The semester has begun. Let's go! 🎉

The last day to drop a full-semester course is the 10th day of classes, September 4.
➡ You may modify your schedule or change a course or section until the 10th day of classes. Have questions? Contact your advisor at [email protected].

➡ Study Abroad and Study Away scholarships are available now!
Whether you're planning a semester abroad or a short-term trip over fall, winter, or spring break, or in early summer, you may be eligible for I4I and IIP funding.
✨ Apply for financial aid before committing to a class!

➡ Applying for or already admitted to a semester abroad?
Apply for the FAA Scholarship for Study Abroad by September 15!
https://studyabroad.illinois.edu/outgoing-students/costs-scholarships/colleges/

➡ Bates Scholarship Fund for FAA Continuing Student Success applications are open. Have you experienced an unforeseen financial setback? Apply for a Bates Scholarship of up to $1,000 to support your continued studies.

To be eligible to apply for the fund, you must:
➡Be enrolled as a continuing FAA student.
➡Be registered for at least 12 credit hours during the semester for which the funds would apply.
➡Provide a statement detailing your unforeseen financial difficulties.
➡Be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Application Process:
Students should complete the Bates Scholarship Fund online application. This form will be available during the first three weeks of the term.

https://go.illinois.edu/FAAFund

08/22/2026

Welcome back BSSD students! We hope your summer was relaxing, fun, and full of great memories. Now it’s time to kick off a new semester, let’s get back to business!

08/21/2026

Welcome New Sustainable Designers! We had a wonderful day of welcoming events! From the New Student Convocation, to the college welcome, on to the BSSD tour of Grind 2 Energy at ISR and back to the office to learn about study away and other opportunities. We are so happy to join with faculty, staff and other students to welcome you to campus!
Thank you to super star students, Ethan, Xenia, Jenesse and Victoria for sharing your stories of travel and research in Casa Pueblo, Japan, building your own opportunities and connecting with community through your sustainability courses. There are bright futures ahead!
Welcome new students and welcome back to everyone returning. We can’t wait to see you all soon.

As we approach the new academic year, we want to shine a spotlight on some of our BSSD students and the internships they...
08/19/2026

As we approach the new academic year, we want to shine a spotlight on some of our BSSD students and the internships they took part in this summer!
First up, meet Aaliyah Murphy, who interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Congratulations Aaliyah on this opportunity!

Let’s hear about it! —>

BSSD: Tell us about your internship!

AM: This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) within the Buildings Department. My internship focused on an Embodied Carbon Study at The Met Cloisters, where I was brought in as an expert in sustainability to help evaluate the environmental impact of materials and building decisions. I worked alongside department leaders to help reshape how sustainability is approached within the museum, bringing a sustainability-focused perspective to challenges, projects, and future decision-making.

BSSD: How has the BSSD program prepared you for this role?

AM: Majoring in Sustainable Design is what truly prepared me for this internship and gave me a strong foundation in sustainability within architecture. Through courses in architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, urban planning, and sustainability, I have developed a unique perspective on how to approach sustainability-related challenges across different disciplines. The flexibility of my degree has helped me grow as both a developing architect and a professional in the field.

BSSD: Do you have a dream job or role you hope to play in the future? If in any way, how did your internship connect to that dream job or role?

AM: My dream role is to become an Architectural Designer with a sustainability focus, creating spaces that center community and help revitalize neighborhoods. This internship allowed me to gain experience understanding sustainability and how carbon emissions impact buildings on a larger scale, especially within museums.

Working at The Met was an incredible experience because I had the opportunity to learn from architects and exhibition designers while seeing how spaces are intentionally designed around the visitor experience. Exhibitions are created to help people interact with art, and I loved seeing how des

08/06/2026

As we gear up for the new school year, we’re excited to welcome back our creative, passionate, and ever-inspiring Sustainable Design students!

Whether designing products or buildings, communities or landscapes, every B.S. Sustainable Design major uniquely blends their interests and the breath of skills they develop in the program to build the future they want to see.

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