CAPLA panel highlights green building, celebrates student sustainability leaders
Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, 21 students were selected to receive support from the Green Ginsberg Fund, helping them participate in a summer Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate bootcamp and certification exam.
As sustainability becomes increasingly central to the future of the built environment, CAPLA students are gaining the tools and credentials to lead that transformation.
In April, CAPLA hosted “Building Better is Building Green,” a panel discussion celebrating 21 students selected to receive support from the Green Ginsberg Fund. The award helps students participate in a summer Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate bootcamp and certification exam.
Hosted by the Building Better Alliance student organization in collaboration with the PLG 256 Sustainable Cities course, the event celebrated the Green Ginsberg Fund while exploring how sustainability is shaping the future of the built environment.
The panel was open to all CAPLA students, faculty and staff with interests in sustainability, design, planning, energy, materials and environmental leadership.
The discussion offered a clear and practical look at how sustainability can translate into meaningful career pathways. A key focus was on LEED credentials, including the LEED Green Associate and LEED Accredited Professional designations.
“The credential is a way to verify that you know the topic, that you’ve taken the test and that a third party has verified you know the subject. That’s valuable,” said Mark Ginsberg, a University of Arizona alumnus and the inaugural U.S. Green Building Council senior fellow who supports the Green Ginsberg Fund.
Panelists emphasized how credentials can support both individual career growth and broader organizational success.
PANEL MEMBERS
Erin Price, AIA, NCARB
Project Architect, BWS Architects
Hilari Varnadore
Vice President for Sustainable Cities, U.S. Green Building Council
(Leads local government engagement and LEED adoption nationwide)
Alex Sexsmith, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Licensed Architect in CA, AZ, CO, and NM
COTE Chair and Board Member, AIA Southern Arizona
“If you can show a list of resumes that are American Institute of Architects members and LEED certified, you are able to demonstrate the depth and knowledge of your team,” one panelist said. “It helps in terms of business development and winning projects.”
Panelists also shared real-world examples of how early investment in sustainability credentials can open doors. One example highlighted a young sustainability manager in Indiana whose employer supported her advancement from LEED Green Associate to LEED Accredited Professional, positioning her to work on a significant project.
Graduating students were also awarded green stoles that represent their commitment to sustainability and earning their LEED certification.
Advice for students centered on aligning career paths with personal values, gaining experience through internships and volunteering and building professional networks.
“The next generation will be part of a cleaner future that’s more sustainable and that you can be proud of, not only for your children and grandchildren, but for you,” a panelist said. “You have a chance to say you left the world a better place.”
Dean Nancy Pollock-Ellwand acknowledged the contributions of Sandra Bernal Cordova.
“You’re a driving force,” she said. “Thank you for making this opportunity happen for these students.”
The Green Ginsberg Fund aims to expand access to sustainability-focused education and professional credentials, helping prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving field where environmental considerations are increasingly central.
“No matter what area you are coming from, to have this as part of your ethos is so critical,” Pollock-Ellwand said. “This will resonate throughout your career and your life.”
