Energy Mentors  

Want to make a difference and help NAU reduce its environmental impacts? Become an NAU Energy Mentor! Learn about what the University is doing to reach its carbon neutrality goals and how to engage fellow faculty and staff to help them reduce energy waste. 

NAU has an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2020. As a major first step, Facility Services has launched the Green NAU Energy Initiative in an effort to reduce cost and the environmental impacts associated with the university’s operations. This is a campus wide energy efficiency building upgrade program that stands to save Northern Arizona University $1.5 million per year and significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. However, upgrading buildings can only go so far. We need to improve the energy awareness of the entire university community.  

You can become involved in the energy saving initiative by becoming an Energy Mentor and joining other passionate members of the NAU community to build a culture of energy efficiency. Becoming an Energy Mentor is easy and would not take a lot of extra time throughout your busy week. The first step is attending a training workshop where we will provide you with the tools and knowledge to help your colleagues make a positive change. 

WHAT IS AN ENERGY MENTOR?

  • Faculty and staff members who have volunteered to support the sustainability culture at Northern Arizona University
  • Someone who is passionate about making a difference with the Green NAU Energy Initiative
  • Someone who takes on the responsibilities below:

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Attend a two hour Training Workshop to learn the basics of being an Energy Mentor
    • Pledge to adopt the focal energy saving behaviors
  • Encourage all fellow faculty and staff members to adopt the focal energy saving behaviors 
  • Become a spokesperson for the GNEI and help spread the message and culture of energy efficiency: 
    • Place posters/table tents around your workspace/department, educating fellow faculty and staff members about the focal energy saving behaviors
    • Host a GNEI workshop in your department 
      • GNEI staff will present information about construction activities and the energy saving behaviors to adopt
    • Help facilitate the distribution of other information aiding in energy conservation
    • Attend and support a GNEI or other sustainability campus event

ASSISTANCE

  • GNEI Program Coordinators Nick Koressel and Avi Henn are available to answer any questions and provide support throughout your time as an Energy Mentor 
  • GNEI will provide all materials either in digital or print format for your use in your workspace/department 

BENEFITS

  • Energy Mentors become behavior change leaders campus-wide, influencing the campus population as the sustainability reputation of the university grows
  • Becoming an Energy Mentors puts you in the middle of the culture of energy conservation helping NAU reach its Climate Action Plan goals