Faces of Sustainability: Jay Smith

Posted on Monday, June 17th, 2013

“I see opportunity and great potential for Algonquin College as a leader in sustainability,” says Jay Smith, Algonquin College General Arts and Science professor and Student Success Specialist.

Jay shares his enthusiasm and vision with both students and other faculty members. “With students, I try to motivate them to think about how to act and live more sustainably, and to get them to encourage others to do so as well.” Standing “100% behind the College’s initiative to integrate sustainability in all levels of the curriculum,” he sees an opportunity for greater dialogue among staff members on how sustainability is reflected in their teaching and what more can be done. During the 2012-2013 academic year, Jay initiated a Woodroffe campus Sustainability Day, in which students in his ‘Approaches to Sustainable Development’ class shared their research projects with members of the Algonquin community. “Sustainability Day was super rewarding. The students’ feedback surpassed my expectations, saying that they learned much more than they had imagined with this project. While it was a lot of work, and took a few sleepless nights, it was definitely worth it. Sustainability should reach well beyond my class, and this was one action to move in that direction.”

What’s next?

Jay is one of the Algonquin College faculty members participating in the See Earth 2013 Costa Rica experience. He hopes to bring much of that experience into his classes in the coming years. As well, he is looking forward to playing a leadership role in working with other faculty members in taking action toward a more sustainable Algonquin. Collaborating with them on a Sustainability Day during the 2013-2014 year is also high on his list of actions.

Related information:

Environmental Studies
See Earth Program
Sustainability Week
Sustainability in the Curriculum


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