BLOOMINGTON – Thirty-five Indiana University students are dedicating their summer to assist Indiana organizations in advancing sustainability and resilience efforts as part of the McKinney Climate Fellows program. This initiative, administered by the IU Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI), aims to bolster the health and security of Indiana communities while cultivating the next generation of climate leaders.
On May 13, the participating students convened at IU Bloomington for Climate Camp, a full-day training event designed to prepare them for their 12-week placements across the state. The training sessions covered essential skills in communication, geographic data tools, and data visualization.
This year’s host organizations span various sectors, including local governments, nonprofits, and private businesses. Notable hosts include Cummins, Indianapolis Airport Authority, Circular Venture Lab, and Shirley Heinze Land Trust. A dozen Indiana local governments are also hosting fellows, with eight participating in ERI’s 2025 Resilience Cohort program, focusing on heat pump adoption and community tree planting plans.
“The talent and energy these students bring to addressing one of our state’s most pressing problems cannot be understated,” said Elspeth Hayden, ERI McKinney Climate Fellows program manager. “As we’ve seen from years past, the ripple effects of these summer experiences can place students on the fast track toward meaningful careers that restore the balance between people and planet.”
Since its inception in 2017, the McKinney Climate Fellows program, open to students from all IU campuses, has attracted over 260 students who have contributed more than 100,000 hours to advancing sustainability goals.
Several 2025 fellows shared their motivations and aspirations for the summer:
Jordan Fauser, a rising junior and environmental science major at Indiana University Bloomington, will be collaborating with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust in Valparaiso, Ind. “Growing up near Lake Michigan, I developed a love for the environment and a desire to protect it,” Fauser stated. She looks forward to applying her skills in geographic information systems (GIS) to meaningful projects. “I am extremely excited to be a part of McKinney Climate Fellows this summer because I have the opportunity to learn and gain useful skills while also making my home state more sustainable and resilient,” Fauser added.
Rahul Durai, a rising sophomore majoring in environmental and sustainability studies and history at IU Bloomington, will work with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in the Chicago region, including Northwest Indiana communities. Durai expressed a sense of duty to engage in local action, stemming from learning about Indiana’s reliance on coal combustion. His summer work will involve designing research to help municipalities track their sustainability progress, integrate climate action priorities, and hire sustainability staff, as well as promoting energy savings programs to residents.
Cameron Schilling, also a graduate student pursuing master’s degrees in public affairs and environmental science at IU Bloomington, will be working with the City of South Bend to support the adoption of heat pump technology as part of the Resilience Cohort. His interest in sustainability grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he observed inequities and fragility in global food systems. Schilling aims to broaden his knowledge of local climate resilience efforts and enhance his technical, outreach, and project management skills.
Annika Swanson, a graduate student pursuing degrees in public affairs and environmental science at IU Bloomington, will contribute to the Indiana Energy Independence Fund (IEIF), the state’s first nonprofit green bank. With a passion for connecting human health and the environment, Swanson will help launch IEIF’s new program focused on residential properties, developing skills in financial analysis, and learning how to save money while reducing carbon footprints.
About the Environmental Resilience Institute: Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute unites government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest prepare for environmental change. Through integrated research, education, and community engagement, ERI strives to create environmental resilience and climate solutions for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.
Information provided by Environmental Resilience Institute.
