The experiences listed below are pre-approved for the Distinction in Sustainability and can be completed at any time after you have signed up for the River Hawk Experience Distinction (RHED) program.

  • Climate Rapid Overview and Decision Support (C-ROADS) or Energy – Rapid Overview and Decision-Support (En-ROADS): Run a simulation using the Climate Interactive role-playing activities C-ROADS or En-ROADS with a school group or civic organization. This is to include the pre-and post- surveys and an evaluation of the surveys to be presented at the student research symposium or Climate Change Initiative (CCI) meeting.
  • United Nations (UN) Conference of Parties: Represent ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ (UML) as a student observer at a UN Conference of Parties (COP). After the return to ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ from the meeting, students should present to the Climate Change Initiative regarding their experience, observations, and how this reflects their views regarding future action on climate change.
  • Sustainability Engagement and Enrichment Development (S.E.E.D.) Grant: Submit and be awarded a S.E.E.D. grant.
  • Sustainability Volunteer: Work as a volunteer for a semester-long project with a sustainability-related local organization such as Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), MassPIRG, Mill City Grows, the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, the National Historical Park, or the Lowell Litter Krewe. Present a summary of your experience to the Climate Change Initiative or at the Student Research Symposium.
  • Campus Greenhouse: Work with the Office of Sustainability in the campus greenhouse or green roof projects over a semester or summer. Present a summary of your experience to the Climate Change Initiative or at the Student Research Symposium.
  • AmeriCorps member: Programs that improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
  • Coalition for a Better Acre: "Taste the Acre" intern in collaboration with the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Sustainability Office.
  • Mill City Grows: Work with Mill City Grows, an urban food justice organization in Lowell, MA that creates gardens, markets, and educational opportunities for all Lowell residents.
  • Rist Sponsored Events: Specific Sustainability events on campus sponsored by the Sustainability group or the Rist Institute.
  • Executive Board: Serve on the Executive Board for the Sustainability club or organization (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, social media coordinator etc.).
  • Summer Program at Queen's University Belfast. "Sustaining Our Shared Existence": An inter-disciplinary two-week module to better understand multiple aspects of sustaining life on Earth.
  • Honors Symposium (HONR.2003.301) on Food, Community and Sustainability: Workshops with local farmers, the Rist Sustainability Center, and local sustainable entrepreneurs.
  • Class Project: An individual or group project specifically related to the Distinction completed during a ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ class ( that is NOT being used as a course requirement for the Distinction)
  • Faculty-led Thesis Research: Complete your project/paper/experience as part of a team, with a partner, or as a solo endeavor with the support of your mentor or faculty member.

Option: Students may propose a custom-designed experience:

  • Submitted by student to reflect their individual experience
  • Must meet at least half of the Distinction's learning outcomes
  • Individual request approval is managed by the RHED committee members