Aelita Khusnutdinova (‘24), has swiftly transitioned from student life to an impactful professional role as AUBG’s first Presidential Fellow for Sustainability. Her long-standing passion for sustainability has found a new platform, allowing her to give back to her beloved university.
As she walks the path of making a positive institutional change, Aelita reflects on her university experience and looks ahead to a future full of opportunities to contribute to environmental change.
AUBG empowering students to lead in sustainability
During her time at AUBG, Aelita’s schedule was packed with both academic and extracurricular pursuits. She completed a double major in Political Science & International Relations and Psychology, further fueling her passion for institutionalizing sustainability and encouraging others to adopt an eco-conscious mindset.
Aelita’s initial involvement in sustainability at AUBG began with her active participation in the Sustainability Club, founded in 2020.
“The club helped me foster a culture of sustainability even more than I had before,” she shares.
“I also realized there were many like-minded people who wanted to see change happen.”
Aelita fondly remembers Earth Week, where the Sustainability Club held a series of events on various topics. “We had activities like painting tote bags and planting trees,” she recalls. “I also organized the first recycling workshop on campus.”
Later, she became vice president of the Sustainability Club, served as a student representative to the Board of Trustees, and joined the Sustainability Committee.
“Working with the administration and the board inspired me to apply for the Presidential Fellow role and use that knowledge to shape a different approach to climate change.”
Recycling workshop during orientation week
Sustainable fashion workshop
Building a sustainable future: Aelita’s vision for AUBG
One of Aelita’s primary goals this year is to develop comprehensive sustainability policies that will be workable not just for the present but for future generations of students. She’s committed to laying the groundwork for a sustainability strategy that spans three to five years, with concrete plans for tracking progress. “We need the right data,” Aelita emphasizes, “and we need to start somewhere.” Her work includes conducting greenhouse gas assessments, improving recycling systems, and encouraging a cultural shift toward sustainability on campus.
Aelita envisions a campus where eco-friendly practices are embedded into the fabric of the institution.
“If we can get the university to embrace these habits, it will set a precedent for the community as a whole,” she notes.
Inspired by education
Reflecting on her role as AUBG’s Presidential Fellow for Sustainability, Aelita acknowledges that her previous experiences on campus made for a smooth transition into this new position. “It wasn’t a matter of figuring out where to go for certain things; I already knew whom to approach and how things worked, having been part of the community for four years.”
She highlights the strong support and resources AUBG offers to students interested in sustainability, which have also been beneficial to her role.
“This position didn’t exist before, yet I’ve received tremendous support from the committee and the professors teaching related subjects. For instance, Professor Clark teaches environmental science, and getting into his class was challenging, but I learned so much more than I could have from watching YouTube videos about sustainable practices.”
Aelita also deeply values the research skills she cultivated at AUBG. “For this role, I need to read extensively about what other institutions are doing, filter out the useful information, and integrate that research into our strategy.”
While studying at AUBG, Aelita conducted significant research for her majors, particularly in Political Science, which equipped her well for her current role. Her research pursuits also extend to fieldwork in the environmental sector. During her exchange year at the University of Maine, Aelita took the opportunity to explore their environmental programs and initiatives, considering how they might be adapted for AUBG.
She was further inspired by Orlina Boteva, an AUBG alumna who serves as the Director of the Office of International Programs at UMaine. Aelita is even contemplating pursuing a Master’s Degree in the environmental field at UMaine, highlighting the strong connections AUBG has with renowned institutions that enable students to further their prestigious education.
30th Commencement Ceremony 2024
Trip to recycling facility
Driven by community
Aelita’s drive comes from a deep belief in the power of small institutions like AUBG to inspire larger change. “There are a lot of schools in the U.S. and Europe that are small but are very sustainable,” she notes, referencing The American College of Greece. For her, creating change is fundamentally about community.
Through AUBG’s many group projects, clubs, and committees, the sense of community is alive and well on campus. “I’ve learned collaborative skills, which are crucial for my current role,” Aelita notes.
“I’m very motivated, but I cannot be the only one. It starts with one or two people, but it has to grow. My job is to ‘recruit’ others who share this mission.”
Aelita hopes her legacy will be one of lasting change—demonstrating that even small actions, such as learning how to be sustainable on campus, when multiplied, can lead to significant impact.
Though her efforts are just the beginning, she remains optimistic. Aelita is determined not only to bring change to AUBG but also to help Bulgaria and her home country of Kazakhstan achieve greater sustainability goals.
“Bulgaria has a long way to go, but I truly believe we can get there,” she asserts with conviction.
If you’re ready to embark on a transformative journey and leave your mark on the tapestry of meaningful deeds, AUBG offers immense growth opportunities. Explore our academic programs and begin your next chapter.
