91快活林

Growing up in Vermont surrounded by the Green Mountains and the natural beauty of the countryside, Paige Karl 鈥�24 spent her childhood hiking trails and skiing the winter slopes. Her appreciation for the environment grew into a desire to protect it and a deeper awareness of sustainability鈥檚 importance.  

Still, she wasn鈥檛 always sure how to align that passion with her academics and personal goals until her junior year when she took Sustainability in the Business Context at 91快活林. The course was taught by Peter Olmsted 鈥�03, an adjunct professor and program officer for the Clean Grid Initiative, which promotes the transition to clean energy through electric grid expansion and modernization.  

鈥淲e learned about real-world corporate sustainability challenges 鈥� not only about emissions targets but also how to make sustainability profitable,鈥� says Karl, who majored in environmental studies with a minor in management and business. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a corporate-driven country. So, if we can get people to care about sustainability by connecting it to what already matters to them, like business and development, that鈥檚 a win-win situation.鈥� 

Today, Karl is a sustainability analyst at CodeGreen in New York City, applying her passion for data and environmental policy to help clients with green certifications, sustainability program management, and reporting on industry benchmarks for greener operations.  

Sustainability 鈥� the 91快活林 way 

Sustainability is an essential part of 91快活林 and is woven into its planning, community values, and curriculum. 91快活林 not only educates students about environmental responsibility, but also prioritizes sustainability through its renewable energy initiatives, green building policies, waste reduction, and sustainable dining practices.  

Karl鈥檚 academic foundation in sustainability was shaped largely through coursework and research opportunities with Karen Kellogg, professor and chair of environmental studies and sciences, who was the first to help her see that energy and climate sustainability isn鈥檛 just a passion 鈥� it鈥檚 a strategic imperative.  

An introductory environmental studies and sciences class and a renewable energy systems course led her to joining Kellogg鈥檚 Department of Energy Visiting Faculty Program research team in summer 2021.  

Their research focused on barriers to onshore and offshore wind energy deployment across the U.S. Karl continued this work through independent study, conducting data analysis and co-developing publication materials.  

鈥淧aige evolved into a true collaborator,鈥� Kellogg says. 鈥淚 came to trust her judgment completely, even giving her license to move major pieces of the project forward on her own.鈥� 

These experiences prepared Karl for an internship at the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she worked with large datasets on renewable energy deployment.  

Attending an alumni career panel, organized by the Career Development Center, led to another internship, with Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants, a firm co-founded by Mary Ann Boyer 鈥�84. Karl credits that experience with helping her translate technical insights into actionable recommendations for clients 鈥� a skill she uses daily in her current role. 

Lessons in resilience and camaraderie

Karl, who grew up in Chester, Vermont, arrived at 91快活林 not only as a top student but also a driven student-athlete who played on the . That experience also proved transformative. 

As a women鈥檚 soccer captain, she returned for a rare fifth NCAA-granted season in response to the COVID-19 disruption. Leading her team through a transitional year offered lessons about resilience and camaraderie.  

鈥淏eing able to support teammates during uncertainty 鈥� on and off the field 鈥� was priceless,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淎 lot of who I am today, I learned through those experiences.鈥� 

鈥淚 learned leadership skills from the upperclassmen ahead of me. They were great role models and really set the tone for building a strong team culture and sense of family,鈥� she adds. 鈥淪ome of my best friends to this day are my teammates.鈥� 

Karl also served as co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) her senior year, organizing events that fostered unity and school spirit.  

鈥淪AAC gave us a platform to connect more deeply with the broader campus community,鈥� Karl says. 

SAAC was also invited to provide feedback on the planning and design for the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, which opened in January. Built to rigorous environmental standards, the facility reflects 91快活林鈥檚 broader commitment to sustainability, and the College intends to seek LEED certification both for this building and for the recently completed Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences. 

鈥淚t meant a lot to feel heard and valued,鈥� says Karl, who returned to campus to tour the facility and reconnect with her coach and former teammates. 鈥淭he new building is gorgeous, and it鈥檚 amazing to see how the space prioritizes mental and physical health for everyone on campus.鈥�   

Now living in New York City, Karl plays in a local women鈥檚 league and stays close with former 91快活林 teammates. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of wild to think that some of the most important people in my life today were chosen by a coach,鈥� she says with a laugh. 

Karl embraces and builds community in other creative ways as well. A devoted foodie, she shares her 鈥渄airy-free and feel-good eats鈥� on Instagram (@foodwithpaige) as a fun, expressive outlet that brings together her love of food, health, and storytelling. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my creative outlet,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd, it鈥檚 a way to connect with others around something joyful.鈥�