By Julian Cornejo, Sustainability Hub Programming & Events Intern ’23-’26, President’s Sustainability Internship Program
During my time in the President’s Sustainability Internship Program, I had the opportunity to work under the guidance of Karen (Kay) Hinds, the Sustainability Hub Coordinator, as a Sustainability Hub Programming and Events Intern. As part of my role, I greet visitors to the Sustainability Hub and help answer any questions they have. I also worked closely with my fellow interns to brainstorm and plan events that promote sustainability on campus. One of my other tasks during the internship was helping create content for the USC Sustainability Instagram. It is a terrific team to be apart of that teaches myself a lot about teamwork, communication, and environmental awareness.
I had the opportunity to co-lead the International Polar Bear Day event with Emma Rohrer (Engagement Intern) and it was one of the highlights of my internship. The event was held at the Sustainability Hub to celebrate Stan, our Hub mascot, and participate in this international day of education and celebration. Stan was created by USC Roski School of Art and Design student Andy Johnson, and from a window in the Hub greets passers by on Trousdale Parkway. Stan was built from PVC pipe and found trash and he helps communicate the importance of our Assignment: Earth goal of becoming a Zero Waste campus. According to Environment America Research and Policy Center, the average American produces around 1800 pounds of waste each year. This also happens to be around the top weight for an adult male polar bear. Because of what he represents, Stan is a powerful way to communicate the human impact of waste on the environment.
As we knew International Polar Bear day was approaching, Emma and I spent weeks brainstorming ideas for how to observe this day and celebrate Stan. We had a big vision at first, but as the event got closer, we had to change our plan due to some last-minute logistics. Even though it was stressful, we stayed flexible and worked hard to make it a success. We had weekly meetings with Ellen Dux (Associate Director, Office of Sustainability), Kay, and Lily (Engagement Specialist, Office of Sustainability) to go over every detail, and we spent a lot of hours planning everything. One of the most exciting parts was getting a full polar bear suit to help promote the event it got a lot of attention and made people curious. The event consisted of making students, faculty, and staff to learn more on how to be sustainable, promoting the Hub itself, having an Ice cream STANd, and having polar pledges which asked people to make a pledge for a sustainable action they wanted to take.
Students learning about Sustainability at USC during International Polar Bear Day 
Students enjoying ice cream in the Hub 
Inflatable Stan meeting students 
Inflatable Stan meets admirers in front of the Student Union 
Inflatable Stan with Sustainability Program Administrator Hannah Findling 
Sustainability Hub intern Melanie serves up ice cream at the STANd
Leading the Polar Bear Day event really helped me grow, especially in my communication classes. It taught me how to be more accountable and responsible with deadlines and follow through, which I have started applying more so to group projects and assignments. Planning such a big event showed me what leadership really looks like, and I have felt more confident speaking up and aiding people and my professors in class. I also learned that teamwork is super important nothing gets done without effective communication and support. Working with other people who have a common goal gave me a new appreciation for collaboration, both in my internship and in school.
The Polar Bear Day event was a huge success, with over 100 people coming in and out throughout the day. It really helped bring attention to the Sustainability Hub and made more students aware of the resources and events we offer. I’d say we hit 99% of our goal, but of course, there’s always room to improve and grow. The feedback we got was super positive, and I think doing a similar event again in the future would be awesome. I’m proud of how it turned out, and it could not have happened without my amazing co-lead Emma and the support of Kay and Ellen.
Julian’s work supports Assignment: Earth goals 3.1, 5.1 & 5.2
Published May 2025
Julian is completing his M.A. in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He plans to graduate in 2026.