Office of Sustainability
Sustainability Officers
Francis Mitalo
Program Specialist
Sustainability Officers
About
I am a sustainability professional with over seven years of experience in higher education, specializing in strategic planning and implementation for climate mitigation and adaptation. In addition, I bring four years of expertise in carbon sequestration and carbon credit programs, with a proven track record of advancing institutional sustainability goals through cross-sector collaboration, data-driven reporting, and policy alignment.
Codie Sterner
Program Director
Sustainability Officers
About
Codie Sterner has explored sustainability from many directions, with education and hands-on experience in behavioral sciences, environmental studies and equity, food systems, renewable energy, and zero waste. Passionate about rethinking how humans interact with the planet, Codie is dedicated to inspiring others to be better stewards of the environment and spark positive change.
Marketing & Communications
Sathya Srinivasan
Website & Newsletter Student Assistant
Marketing & Communications
About
Hey everyone! I’m a third-year Computer Science with Business Applications student at UCR, focused on scalable systems and digital platforms. I merge web development with sustainability to create meaningful impact and support equity initiatives on campus.
Melina Shafie
Marketing Student Assistant
Marketing & Communications
About
I am a fourth-year Marketing student at UCR, interested in promoting sustainable practices. I’m especially drawn to the intersection of aesthetics and consumer behavior.
Alina Ho
Marketing Student Assistant
Marketing & Communications
About
Hello! I’m a fourth-year Business Administration student at UCR, focusing on Information Systems and marketing. I’m passionate about sustainability and using creativity to inspire environmental awareness on campus.
Office of Sustainability Advisors
Gustavo Plascencia
Office of Sustainability Advisor for Dining & Housing
Office of Sustainability Advisors
Adam Schnirel
Office of Sustainability Advisor for Facilities Services
Office of Sustainability Advisors
Sandra Turner
Special Advisor to the Provost on Sustainability
Office of Sustainability Advisors
Bonnie Reiss: Leading on Climate (LOC) Fellowship
Kevin Leung
LOC: Decarbonization
Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Student Fellow
About
I'm a third year environmental engineer at UC Riverside, focusing on the implementation of our campus Decarbonization Study. My goal is to move our decarbonization efforts forward, and enhance the sustainability and energy awareness on campus.
Climate Corps (CC) Fellows
Matisse Rios
CC Fellow
CC: Green Labs
About
I’m a third-year Environmental Engineering major at UCR, actively involved in research labs on campus and a member of the Green Labs team. We focus on increasing water and energy efficiency in labs while promoting proper waste management and sustainable practices.
Jose Linares
CC Fellow
CC: Green Labs
About
I'm a third-year Biology and Environmental Science major at UC Riverside, and member of the Office of Sustainability's Green Labs team. My academic and professional interests focus on water systems, climate change, and sustainability. I currently collaborate with research laboratories to implement and promote sustainable practices across campus.
Jazirae Nacion
CC Fellow
CC: Eco-Highlanders
About
Hi! I’m a third-year Biology student at UCR, and I’m involved in creating events and initiatives that improve campus life and support the student community. I help organize workshops and programs through Residential Life that make resources more accessible and encourage students to get involved. I enjoy building community and creating spaces where students feel supported and included.
California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellows
Ashley Avila
CCAC Fellow
CCAC: Zero Waste
About
Ashley Avila serves as a California Climate Action Corps Fellow supporting Zero Waste initiatives at UC Riverside.
Angelique Lawrence
CCAC Fellow
CCAC: Zero Waste
About
Hi everyone! I’m a proud UCR alum with a B.A. in Media and Cultural Studies. During my four years working with the Basic Needs Department, I developed a deep passion for supporting students who share similar backgrounds and experiences as my own. That passion continues to guide my work today as the California Climate Action Zero Waste Fellow, where I focus on educating and engaging students to reduce food waste and promote sustainability on campus.
Emily Macias
CCAC Fellow
CCAC: Eco-Highlanders
About
Hello! I am a UCR Alumni where I earned my B.A. in Education, Society, and Human Development! I have a passion for teaching, and coming up with creative ways to bring education and sustainability together! I work on providing workshops, events, and sustainable initiatives for Residential Life on campus!
Grecia Ortega
CCAC Fellow
CCAC: Sustainability Engagement
About
Howdy! I graduated from UCR in 2025 with a BA in Media and Cultural Studies and I now currently serve as the Sustainability Engagement fellow for the Office of Sustainability. My work includes workshop programming, digital outreach, and community engagement to educate the UCR and broader Riverside community about sustainability and climate change. Outside of my work I enjoy film photography, exploring the PNW, and discovering new music to broadcast on my radio show on KUCR 88.3 FM!