Oral History Minute: Jennifer Maxwell, Office of Sustainability

With Earth Day right around the corner, we highlight the work of Jennifer Maxwell, Sustainability Program Specialist for the Office of Sustainability at Appalachian State University.

I get the question a lot, 'What does sustainability mean or what does it mean to you?' And it’s really a hard one to answer so I’ve thought about it a bunch and finally came up with my own personal definition: It’s when everyone’s and everything’s needs are met in a balanced way.

At Appalachian, sustainability is not a trend, it’s a tradition and a lot of it comes from our location and our cultures. The mountain culture historically has always been resourceful and frugal and neighborly. All of those things really relate to sustainability. Also, our geographical location has had to be very self-sufficient in the past.

You can read or listen to Jennifer's full interview below or on our The Way Watauga Works online exhibit.

Learn about the important work going on at the office of sustainability at sustain.appstate.edu