SLG '29 Application
Program Information (page 1/6)
Welcome to Wake! We're excited that you're interested in SLG '29, Wake Forest's Sustainability Leadership Group for first-year students. Read on to learn what SLG is all about and how you can apply to join this select group!
Overview
The Sustainability Leadership Group (SLG) is a program designed specifically for sustainability-minded first-year students to gain leadership training and experience early on in their Wake Forest careers. The inaugural SLG team, SLG '23, formed in the fall of 2019 and was composed of an eager group of first-year students who served as peer leaders in their respective residence halls. Now entering its seventh year and with roughly 120 SLG alumni, the program has established itself as an ideal way for students to kickstart or scale up their sustainability leadership journey.
Overview
The Sustainability Leadership Group (SLG) is a program designed specifically for sustainability-minded first-year students to gain leadership training and experience early on in their Wake Forest careers. The inaugural SLG team, SLG '23, formed in the fall of 2019 and was composed of an eager group of first-year students who served as peer leaders in their respective residence halls. Now entering its seventh year and with roughly 120 SLG alumni, the program has established itself as an ideal way for students to kickstart or scale up their sustainability leadership journey.
Mission
SLG’s mission is to develop students into impactful leaders who work together to spread a culture of sustainability throughout the first-year class at Wake Forest and beyond. This mission is achieved through three pillars: leadership development, education, and community building.
SLG Pillar #1 - Leadership Development
SLG members develop leadership skills through workshops, guest speakers, group discussions, and action. While the program sets the foundation for your development, you’re encouraged to take the next step on your own (with the team’s support, of course). Step out of your comfort zone, discover your leadership style, and gain first-hand experience in an environment where development is prioritized above all else.
SLG Pillar #2 - Education
No prior sustainability knowledge or experience is required! One of the goals of SLG is to make sure that everyone gains a solid understand of climate science, sustainability at Wake, environmental and climate justice, and the psychology behind social change efforts. Whether you're new to sustainability or a seasoned expert, you’re bound to learn something new. SLG is a great way to discover your passion and chart your own path forward at Wake Forest.
SLG Pillar #3 - Community Building
Through fun team bonding activities, collaborative meetings, interactive workshops, group outreach, and the occasional outdoor excursion, SLG members get to know each other pretty well! The sense of community we work hard to develop extends outside the group as well, as you'll engage with other students, create sustainability-themed events, and coordinate with campus leaders like RAs and Faculty Fellows as you work to leave a lasting impact on campus.
SLG’s mission is to develop students into impactful leaders who work together to spread a culture of sustainability throughout the first-year class at Wake Forest and beyond. This mission is achieved through three pillars: leadership development, education, and community building.
SLG Pillar #1 - Leadership Development
SLG members develop leadership skills through workshops, guest speakers, group discussions, and action. While the program sets the foundation for your development, you’re encouraged to take the next step on your own (with the team’s support, of course). Step out of your comfort zone, discover your leadership style, and gain first-hand experience in an environment where development is prioritized above all else.
SLG Pillar #2 - Education
No prior sustainability knowledge or experience is required! One of the goals of SLG is to make sure that everyone gains a solid understand of climate science, sustainability at Wake, environmental and climate justice, and the psychology behind social change efforts. Whether you're new to sustainability or a seasoned expert, you’re bound to learn something new. SLG is a great way to discover your passion and chart your own path forward at Wake Forest.
SLG Pillar #3 - Community Building
Through fun team bonding activities, collaborative meetings, interactive workshops, group outreach, and the occasional outdoor excursion, SLG members get to know each other pretty well! The sense of community we work hard to develop extends outside the group as well, as you'll engage with other students, create sustainability-themed events, and coordinate with campus leaders like RAs and Faculty Fellows as you work to leave a lasting impact on campus.
What You Can Expect
We'll kick off SLG with an orientation where you'll meet your teammates and learn the basics, and follow that up with an off-campus retreat. Throughout the year, SLG meets weekly, where we focus on developing leadership skills, teaching each other about and discussing sustainability, and building community. In addition to our 75-minute team meetings, members should expect to spend additional time each week (1-2 hours on average) working both collaboratively and independently to plan and execute a variety of initiatives and events. Through SLG, you'll have the opportunity to learn about and work on a variety of topics, including carbon reduction, environmental and climate justice, waste minimization, environmental education, civic action, behavior change psychology, and more. We also have plenty of opportunities to have fun and bond with one another through (optional, but highly encouraged) movie nights, meals, Campus Garden volunteer sessions, local hikes, and more. SLG is a group that truly belongs to its members; you get out of it as much as you put in!
Selection Process
SLG members are selected through an application process that is made available to incoming first-year students each summer. All incoming first-year students are eligible, regardless of knowledge and experience. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applications for SLG '29 will be accepted through September 7, 2025, with priority consideration given to those received by August 19.
Questions
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the program, please contact Brian Cohen, Assistant Director for Sustainability Engagement, at cohenbj@wfu.edu, or our SLG ‘29 student coordinator, Ethan Anderson (‘28), at andee24@wfu.edu.
Apply!
Whenever you're ready, click below to begin the application!
We'll kick off SLG with an orientation where you'll meet your teammates and learn the basics, and follow that up with an off-campus retreat. Throughout the year, SLG meets weekly, where we focus on developing leadership skills, teaching each other about and discussing sustainability, and building community. In addition to our 75-minute team meetings, members should expect to spend additional time each week (1-2 hours on average) working both collaboratively and independently to plan and execute a variety of initiatives and events. Through SLG, you'll have the opportunity to learn about and work on a variety of topics, including carbon reduction, environmental and climate justice, waste minimization, environmental education, civic action, behavior change psychology, and more. We also have plenty of opportunities to have fun and bond with one another through (optional, but highly encouraged) movie nights, meals, Campus Garden volunteer sessions, local hikes, and more. SLG is a group that truly belongs to its members; you get out of it as much as you put in!
Selection Process
SLG members are selected through an application process that is made available to incoming first-year students each summer. All incoming first-year students are eligible, regardless of knowledge and experience. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applications for SLG '29 will be accepted through September 7, 2025, with priority consideration given to those received by August 19.
Questions
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the program, please contact Brian Cohen, Assistant Director for Sustainability Engagement, at cohenbj@wfu.edu, or our SLG ‘29 student coordinator, Ethan Anderson (‘28), at andee24@wfu.edu.
Apply!
Whenever you're ready, click below to begin the application!