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Economics master’s candidate joins NC State Stewards program

For the past few years, Carlo Zanelli, a first-year master’s degree student in Poole College’s Graduate Economics program, has been an advocate for recycling plastic and paper “at the individual level.” He has also been involved in efforts to “get people to reduce waste and energy consumption,” he said.

In the coming year, he expects to ramp up these efforts – which he says “have been on very small levels” – through his involvement in the NC State Stewards program.

“Being an NC State Steward will allow me to challenge views and opinions for the greater objective, while learning more about environmental, social and economic responsibility and strengthening my commitment for sustainability as I continue my graduate education,” he said. In the end, he the program will “allow me to make bigger and longer-lasting impacts on our community.”

Zanelli aspires to work in public policy analysis for the government. “My main interests are in environmental and developmental economics. Ideally, I would like to use my knowledge of economics and policy-making to help develop government legislation, as well as to assess the economic impact of proposed regulations in these two areas. I know that the program will allow me to become a more knowledgeable and driven individual that helps lead policies in the right directions.”

Since the Stewards program launched in 2013, the number of student participants has grown from six to more than 40 representing majors from nine of NC State's academic colleges. 

In addition to promoting sustainable practices through workshops, presentations and campus events, the Stewards initiate projects that improve sustainability of campus. Previous projects include launching an on-campus plastic bag recycling program, conducting residence hall energy conservation competitions that have saved more than $10,000, creating virtual campus nature walks, and managing the installation of outdoor solar charging stations, which will be operational later this year near Tucker and Owen residence halls.

The NC State Stewards program is supported by the University Sustainability Office.