The natural resources programs offered by the college in the National Capital Region are specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals seeking credentials for job advancement, a career change, or a graduate degree. Two recent additions complement the existing programs.

The college welcomed its first cohort of students to the Executive Master of Natural Resources program in leadership for sustainability in January 2011. “A primary goal of the program is to help students develop advanced leadership, management, and administration skills for addressing complex sustainability challenges. Interdisciplinary teamwork and cross-sector partnerships are essential professional skills that we emphasize in this program,” explained David Robertson, program coordinator. The 18-month accelerated graduate degree program includes a 10-day international residency and capstone project in which students, who represent a wide variety of disciplines and professions, work with a team of faculty mentors and real-world clients to tackle complex sustainability challenges.

The China Sustainability Initiative, a series of professional development programs and client services, offers a variety of cultural exchange and applied research experiences. The program includes a two-week study abroad trip to China in which participants — including graduate and senior undergraduate students, alumni, and professionals — gain international work experience as part of a consulting team performing service-learning projects for local clients and international partner organizations. “Our overall approach is to look broadly at sustainability challenges in rapidly developing and sensitive areas, combining the ecological, economic, and cultural components common to all of these places,” said Michael Mortimer, director of the National Capital Region’s natural resources programs. Similar programs are currently being developed in India and Africa.

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