Why SEAS?

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at North Carolina State University, Macy Robinson (MS ’24) knew she wanted to explore the international development aspect of sustainability through a program that included experiential learning opportunities. A trusted advisor suggested the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), noting the Sustainability and Development specialization.

Taking time to research the course offerings, the faculty, the current initiatives, and learn more about the capstone master’s project opportunities, Robinson soon found that the SEAS graduate program would be the perfect fit. The SEAS Admissions staff and faculty members helped answer lingering questions and helped Robinson envision her life in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Due to Robinson’s interest in sustainable international development, specializing in Sustainability and Development was a perfect fit and steered her capstone project selection process. She selected a traditional project working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS), alongside Arun Agrawal. 

“Our project involved a comprehensive evaluation of multi-stakeholder collaboration approaches by UNDP FACS to support the transition towards more sustainable food and agricultural commodity systems,” says Robinson. 

Her team assessed transformative change through stakeholder surveys, interviews, and case study development. While their primary focus was on the sustainable palm oil sector in Indonesia, they also developed smaller case studies for platforms in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Liberia and Paraguay during the initial stages of the project.

What’s next?

Following graduation, Robinson plans to move to New York City, where she is currently interviewing for sustainability consulting positions to assist companies in navigating the intricate and relatively new terrain of sustainability challenges and opportunities. 

Robinson shares, “After my summer internship as an Environmental, Social and Governance Assessment Reviewer and some temporary consulting positions, I saw how impactful we can be as sustainability professionals when we help organizations achieve their sustainability goals.” She says she looks forward to helping the private sector transition quickly and smoothly to green growth.

Reflecting on the experience of attending SEAS

The most important lesson Robinson learned while attending SEAS is that addressing complex environmental problems requires a multifaceted approach and equitable stakeholder inclusion. 

She says that Paige Fischer’s EAS 567 “Social Vulnerabilities and Adaptations” course was one of the most impactful courses she took because it gave her the chance to explore the different dimensions of climate change adaptation, including the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of an individual or a community, and because it expanded her understanding of humanity’s relationship with climate change risks and vulnerabilities. 

Robinson, emphasizing the invaluable nature of her SEAS experience, says, “My time at SEAS has been nothing short of transformative, from changing the way that I view our collective responsibility to take climate action, to the robust network I’ve developed through my peers and alumni.”