University of Arizona professor Margaret Livingston hosted an internship information session for students in the Sustainable Built Environments major. SBE students study ecology, design and architecture to create sustainable urban structures that work amicably in relation to the natural landscape. 

“Students in this major … may go more toward the environmental side of sustainability,” Livingston said. “They may go more toward structures, thinking about how buildings are constructed and basically how you can be energy conserving. They may think about it in terms of policies — what will make us a more sustainable country and world.”

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As part of a graduation requirement, SBE internships are centered on community engagement, and students can intern with both university-run institutions like Biosphere 2 and community nonprofits like the Yume Japanese Garden. 

Livingston affirmed that community engagement is especially significant for SBE students:

“That whole idea of inclusiveness — including the community that you’re in and also serving the community — that’s a very strong piece of this major,” she said. 

Being heavily experienced in her field, Livingston’s work and that of her students has a veritable impact on campus sustainability culture. Her philosophy on sustainable building revolves around resource usage, especially in the arid climate of Southern Arizona.

“I think people need to be very aware of what kind of resources they’re using, and particularly in the context of just where they live — so, we’re in a very arid area, so people need to be mindful of how much water they use, about how to preserve this environment because it’s very fragile,” Livingston said.