Meet the President’s Sustainability Committee
The President’s Sustainability Committee (PSC) is a group of staff, faculty, and students charged with implementing DePaul’s Mission of “promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges.”
Through its efforts to secure resources, develop policy, connect people, and document action, the PSC strives to make lasting environmental changes at DePaul and in the community.
If you have ideas about advancing sustainability at DePaul, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the Committee Co-Chairs, Rubén Álvarez Silva or Christie Klimas… or any of the PSC members!
Faculty
Hugh Bartling
Associate Professor
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Bartling teaches in the Sustainable Urban Development MA program and the School of Public Service. Courses include Sustainable Development, Climate Change Policy, Sustainable Urban Development.
Take action!
- Contact Dr. Bartling and find out what courses in the School of Public Service focus on sustainability
- Check out the Sustainable Urban Development program
Christie Klimas
Associate Professor and Chair
College of Science and Health
Dr. Klimas conducts mixed method research focusing on lessening human impacts on the environment. She developed LCA projects to provide hands-on research opportunities for students. Her work has extended to Mexico and provides culturally relevant research for ENV students. Dr. Klimas is active in working collaboratively to grow sustainability at DePaul.
Take Action!
- Contact Dr. Klimas to learn more about our Environmental Science Program
Alyssa Westring
Chair and Professor of Management
College of Business
As part of Dr. Westring role as the Chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, she currently oversees the new Master’s of Science in Sustainability in Business. Working with Dr. Gabriella Bucci, they are launching a fully revised program in Winter 2026. Dr. Westring oversees staffing for several sustainability courses and also provides staffing support for Business for Social Good (BUS 103).
Take Action!
- Contact Dr. Westring to learn more about the department ofManagement and Entrepreneurship
Thiru Ramaraj
Assistant Professor
College of Computing and Digital Media
During his research, Dr. Ramaraj investigated how urbanization influences plants and animals to understand species adaptation and support biodiversity conservation in rapidly changing environments. Dr. Ramaraj contributes to sustainability by leading genome projects that informs ecological resilience and evolutionary responses to environmental pressures.
Contact Dr. Ramaraj to learn more about our Computer Science program.
Jody Marcucci
Professor of Legal Practice
College of Law
Professor Marcucci serves on the President’s Sustainability Council, participated in Sustainability Learning Community (2023-24), and developed writing problems with a sustainability focus.
Contact Professor Marcucci to learn more about the College of Law
Staff
Students
Climate Action Plan (CAP) Advisory Group
| Christie Klimas (CSH) | cklimas@depaul.edu | Faculty |
| Hugh Bartling (LAS) | hugh.bartling@depaul.edu | Faculty |
| Mark Potosnak (CSH) | mark.potosnak@depaul.edu | Faculty |
| Alyssa Westring (BUS) | awestrin@depaul.edu | Faculty |
| Brendan Conway (Facility Operations) | bconway3@depaul.edu | Staff |
| Rubén Alvarez Silva (Just DePaul) | rsilvaal@depaul.edu | Staff |
| Reilly Shuff (Student Government Association) | eashburn@depaul.edu | Student |
| Rhianna Herd (Just DePaul) | rherd@depaul.edu | Student |