Nicole Koedyker, the president of the Drexel Sierra Club, is on a mission to make the planet a better place. After joining the Sierra Club during her freshman year and becoming more involved as a sophomore, Nicole succeeded the SC president into the position she now holds. A senior business administration major with concentrations in international business and economics, and a minor in sustainable built environments, she sure has a lot on her (reusable) plate!
“The Sierra Club’s mission is to spread environmental awareness in order to reduce Drexel’s environmental impact through its policies and student involvement and to educate students in order to continue environmental efforts after they graduate,” Nicole says. Of course, Sierra Club is not just about “being green.”
In fact, as the leader of this group, Nicole’s favorite part of Sierra Club is helping other students find their passion. “Whether it’s animals, the oceans, banning bottled water, or divestment campaigns, everyone has a place in sustainability. Being able to help students find something they’re passionate about and educating the group about different topics lets them figure out what part of this movement they want to be involved in,” she says.
Of her time with Sierra Club, Nicole says it has definitely made her busier, but it has been a great experience, with plenty of opportunities to work with various campus administrators and student groups. But she assures us she’s not going anywhere just yet: “I like to think I’ve made my mark here on Drexel, but I’m not done!”
Fittingly, Nicole’s most recent co-op was related to her personal passion; she worked with a professor at The Sustainability Nexus, a Philly-based nonprofit that supports professionals working toward sustainable culture.
After graduation next winter Nicole plans to stay in Philly, possibly continuing to work with The Sustainability Nexus, and go to graduate school to get her dual MPA/MBA in sustainability. She adds, “I’d also like to travel around a little bit, too!”
In the meantime, Nicole will spend her free time – “Free time? What free time?!” she jokes — reading about sustainable business strategies and environmental economics, and having fun! When she’s not catching up on Game of Thrones, Mad Men, or Arrested Development, you can find her biking around the city or teaching spinning classes at the gym. Even on her off-days this woman does not rest on her laurels: “My friend and I just completed P90X and we are now doing Insanity!” Now that’s dedication.
Be sure to check out Nicole’s weekly HC blog post Conscious Collegiette!