Congratulations to Andy Zhang, Economics ’26, who received the Provost Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship in the Undergraduate Student category!
From UConn Today:
Andy Zhang ’26 (CLAS & CAHNR), exemplifies the highest standards of community-engaged scholarship through sustained leadership, innovative problem-solving, measurable community impact, and deep personal and academic growth. Over the past three years, Andy has not only contributed meaningfully to the University of Connecticut’s sustainability initiatives but has fundamentally strengthened the infrastructure through which students, faculty, and community members engage with environmental work.
Andy’s leadership has been both sustained and progressively expansive. Beginning as a Sustainability Intern with the UConn Office of Sustainability, he quickly assumed increasing responsibility across multiple high-impact initiatives. He led the coordination of UConn’s annual Class Tree planting and Arbor Day programming, managing complex logistics, cross-sector partnerships, and public engagement efforts. Simultaneously, he has taken on leadership roles in student governance and founded the UConn Chapter of Plant Futures organization, where he leads a growing team focused on advancing sustainable food systems. His leadership trajectory demonstrates not only longevity but also a clear pattern of increasing scope, responsibility, and influence across campus and community initiatives.
Andy’s work is distinguished by a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Most notably, he founded the ECollaboration Sustainability Network (ESN), a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to break down silos within UConn’s sustainability community. By leveraging a digital platform, Andy created an accessible and inclusive space that connects students, faculty, and staff across disciplines, enabling real-time collaboration, resource sharing, and engagement. He has also introduced new programming such as the “Sustainability Social,” fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, his data-driven work analyzing campus dining systems to reduce single-use waste reflects a creative integration of research, policy, and practice to address real-world sustainability challenges.
Andy’s initiatives have produced clear, measurable outcomes that demonstrate meaningful community impact. The ECollaboration Sustainability Network has grown to include over 300 active members spanning diverse academic and professional backgrounds, significantly increasing participation in sustainability initiatives across campus. His Sustainability Social events have brought together over 50 participants per session, catalyzing new partnerships and collaborative projects. His contributions to UConn’s Green Metric report and Tree Campus USA application support institutional benchmarking and recognition, amplifying the university’s impact on a global scale. Additionally, his advocacy for reusable dining programs directly addresses waste reduction, with the potential to eliminate hundreds of thousands of single-use items annually.
Andy’s engagement in community-based work has driven exceptional intellectual, professional, and personal growth. As a dual major in Economics and Environmental Science with a perfect academic record, he integrates rigorous academic training with applied sustainability practice. Through his leadership experiences, Andy has developed advanced skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and data-driven decision-making. His increasing confidence and initiative, evidenced by founding new organizations, leading large-scale projects, and presenting diverse audiences, reflecting a deep and ongoing commitment to growth as both a scholar and practitioner.
Collaboration is central to Andy’s work. Across all his initiatives, he has engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, community organizations, and government partners. His leadership in the ESN fosters continuous collaboration among over 300 participants, while his work on institutional sustainability reporting requires coordination with multiple university departments. His partnerships with dining services, and engagement with external organizations demonstrate his ability to build and sustain meaningful, cross-sector relationships that strengthen community outcomes.
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UConn Provost Announces 2026 Awards for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship