at middlebury college, climate action isn’t just an institutional priority; it’s a student-driven movement with deep roots. building on the legacy of student activism and the achieving institutional carbon neutrality in 2016, middlebury’s climate action program engages students as agents of change.

the program was established in 2020 with support from the erol foundation and is now endowed in partnership with nextworld philanthropies. guided by principles that deepen existing work, broaden participation, and connect efforts across disciplines, the program helps students translate climate concern into purposeful action through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and campus-wide events.

at the heart of the initiative is the climate action fellowship, a year-long, paid position that allows students to turn their passion into action. fellows partner with relevant organizations (on or off campus) to design tangible projects in sustainability or climate. the fellowship gives students both time and resources, including compensation for their effort. through this, students deepen applied skills, test ideas in real-world settings, and participate in a cohort of peers pushing for impact.

at a time when academic programs like this are vital for supporting students’ career goals, i spoke with the climate action program’s director, minna brown, about how the fellowship works, why student agency matters, and what gives her hope for the future.

the following contents have been edited for length and clarity.

shayah kosak: thanks for taking the time to talk, minna. to begin, how did the climate action program get started, and what gap did it aim to address?

minna brown: the program grew directly out of student needs. after middlebury launched its energy 2028 commitment, donors, faculty, and staff asked: how do we truly support student engagement on climate? we had plenty of passion, but no structures that gave students agency or compensated them for their time.

working with student leaders, including those active in the divestment movement, we identified a fellowship as the centerpiece. each year, at least 20 fellows are paid to pursue projects of their own design, with training and mentorship. some projects build on existing work; others open new doors. the goal is to center student voices and create lasting pathways into climate action.

sk: so a key differentiator of the fellowship is student agency, the chance to shape their own projects?

mb: exactly. agency doesn’t mean starting something brand new every time. often it’s about strengthening what already exists and building momentum together. many students are already active; our role is to provide the resources that help them reach the next level.

sk: how do you track student success during the program and after graduation?

mb: the fellowship is a core hub, but we serve the whole campus; funding projects, hosting workshops, and offering training.

for fellows, we build in reflection and showcases. students come in with their own lens, such as migration, gender, and the arts, and we want the community to see how those perspectives matter for climate.

we now have about 50 alumni in just five years. they’re generous about giving back: hopping on calls with current fellows to talk about grad school or first jobs. alumni are everywhere, from the park service to the alaska fellows program to graduate programs in divinity, medicine, and law. we’re also creating networks on linkedin and through an advisory council. mentorship is a big focus, connecting students with alums and also alums with each other. and we push students to get beyond the middlebury bubble through conferences and outside speakers.

sk: what could other educators and institutions learn from this program?

mb: a few things stand out. first, it’s cross-disciplinary, open to all majors. second, it lasts a full year, with many fellows returning for a second year. third, it’s compensated, which allows students to participate who otherwise couldn’t.

most importantly, it centers student passions. that agency piece can feel daunting, but it develops real capacity. we’re not just filling pre-set slots; we’re listening to students and prioritizing their ideas and activism.

sk: in the midst of this work, what gives you hope, and how do you carry that into your role?

mb: my mindset is: if this is the time i get to be alive, what an opportunity to be alive when it matters. even small contributions, showing up, building community, and finding creative solutions count.

i began thinking deeply about climate as a student here. now, as a parent, i ask: what would i be proud to have been part of? that question guides me every day.

sk: do you have a story that captures the fellowship’s impact?

mb: one is kamryn y.m., who immersed herself in every opportunity: the climate semester in monterey, planet forward, launching fire (fostering inclusive recreational experiences), and helping us imagine a climate certificate program. kamryn pulled diverse pieces together in ways that amplified everyone’s work.

another is mariia d., an economics major who joined in her last year. climate hadn’t felt like “her” space, but she quickly became a leader, helping organize the beyond bretton woods conference and connecting climate, economics, and finance. watching students find their inroad and then become catalysts for others is what the fellowship is all about.

sk: where do you hope the climate action program will be in the next five to 10 years?

mb: middlebury has had strong leadership and supportive funders, so core pieces, fellowships, events, and workshops will continue. at the same time, we have space to be creative and strategic. student needs aren’t going away; our role is to meet them as they evolve.

in the short term, we’re convening students, alums, faculty, and community members for a conference called what works now? to explore exactly where climate action should go next.

sk: finally, what inspired you personally to devote yourself to environmental education?

mb: i grew up in oregon with environmentalist parents, then came to middlebury partly for languages and partly because of its environmental reputation. the early 2000s here were a magical moment; bill mckibben was on campus, and students were sparking new forms of engagement. taking john isham’s j-term class on climate and social movements was a turning point.

after college, i worked in climate organizing and burned out. that experience shaped me. i want students to feel less alone, to experiment, and to find sustainable ways to do this work. graduate school at yale helped me see how education could be that path. returning to middlebury to direct this program at my alma mater feels incredibly fortunate.

sk: and we’re fortunate to have you.

as the fellowship enters its sixth year, brown sees the program as both a launchpad and a community: a place where students learn their voices matter and climate work takes many forms. for her, the lesson is clear: investing in student agency is investing in the future of climate leadership.