Nease named Sustainability Manager

Radford University has named Josh Nease as its new sustainability manager and academic program manager for the university’s Selu Conservancy.

Nease, who began work in July, will work with the Radford University’s Sustainability Steering Committee to create and meet goals that comply with the university’s Climate Action Plan, which includes taking actions to make the university a carbon neutral campus by 2040.

As Selu academic program manager, Nease will work with the Selu coordinator to assist faculty in delivering research and education programs at the conservancy.

Before joining Radford University, Nease served four years as manager of the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center (CSC). There, he focused on developing a sustainability research and education program on a 377-acre historic farm.

Nease worked with Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students to recruit and design sustainability-related projects at the center. He worked with local government and nonprofits to support economic development in the area. In addition, Nease worked with university officials to create short- and long-term plans for the development of the CSC.

“Radford University’s commitment to creating and maintaining a green campus is well-known across the Commonwealth,” Nease said. “I’m very excited to work with faculty and staff to advance this already successful effort, to create programs and lead initiatives that help the university meet its Climate Action Plan objectives and develop students into sustainability leaders and professionals.”

The Sustainability Office, which is now part of the Office of Academic Programs, will offer a number of programs this fall, Nease said.

Those programs include student recycling and energy conservation competitions, internships and other student positions designed to develop sustainability leaders and Our Turn information and training sessions for faculty and staff.

In addition, the Sustainability Office, in partnership with Student Life, has scheduled Service and Sustainability Week for Sept. 5-10. Planned events include student activities, information sessions and films.

Among the films scheduled for screening and discussion will be “Time to Choose,” a documentary about worldwide challenges of climate change and the innovators and leaders who work to find a solution.