Spotlights

Dr. Iana A. Castro is currently a professor of marketing in the Fowler College of Business and named the Zahn Professor of Creativity and Innovation. She is also actively involved in sustainability efforts on campus and the local San Diego area. As the co-founder of BrightSide produce and a co-chair of the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, Castro is making a lasting impact on the San Diego community as a whole.

Rylie Ridpath is currently a Sophomore at SDSU studying Sustainability. Rylie grew up in Colorado, where being outdoors and in the mountains was a defining aspect of her life. Since declaring her Sustainability major, she's taken various actions to make her mark and share her passion for sustainability.

Kelly Hansen is currently the lead electrician for Facility Services at San Diego State University, where he collaborates with the Office of Energy and Sustainability through his work with meters. Measuring energy and water consumption across campus is crucial to sustainability—after all, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Read more about his contributions to sustainability on campus through his meter work.

Adam Manley is currently Associate Profes­sor of Furni­ture Design and Wood­work­ing at San Diego State Univer­sity, where he combines art and aspects of sustainability to teach and create his crafts. Whether teaching or doing residency programs at universities, he has left a large impact on various communities across the country. Recently, he designed the 2024 Sustainability Champion Award for the 2nd Annual Sustainability Summit.

Kate Riegel is a San Diego State University Alumni who graduated from the University in the Spring of 2024. While on campus, Kate received a B.A. in Sustainability and a minor in Business Administration along with advancing her passion for Sustainable Outreach through The Office of Energy & Sustainability and Associated Students, Green Love. Post-graduation Kate has accepted a position as a Public Outreach Coordinator at San Diego Community Power.

Ella Cronin is a sophomore at San Diego State studying Sustainability with a minor in Spanish. Ella is originally from Washington DC and currently serves as a co-chair of Associated Students, Green Love Events Committee. Since then Ella has become more involved in sustainability on campus and grown her passion for the movement.

Ethan Banegas, a descendant of the Kumeyaay, Luiseño-Payómkawichum, and Cupeño- Kuupangaxwichem bands of Native Americans, grew up on the Barona Reservation in San Diego County. He currently works as a Professor at San Diego State University teaching multiple courses on American Indian Studies along with serving as the co-owner of Kumeyaay.com and Historian for the San Diego History Center. Recently the Office of Energy and Sustainability met with Banegas to discuss sustainability from a Native perspective.

Erlinde Cornelis is an Associate Professor at the Fowler College of Business Marketing Department. Although she is a Professor of Marketing, she also has a profound passion for sustainability, and she implements it into all aspects of her life- including her classes. Professor Cornelis serves as the head of the Senate Sustainability Committee at SDSU where she assists in planning and advocating for sustainability on campus.

Olivia DeVito is a second year at San Diego State University studying Sustainability with a Minor in Ecology. She is currently serving as the transportation chair for Green Love through Associated Students along with being a member of Epsilon Eta, an eco-centered fraternity.

Agni Herur is a third-year Finance Major. He is currently working as the Green Office Intern for the Office of Energy and Sustainability. He manages office certification on campus, analyzing their sustainability levels and providing a ranking