CPaCE News

Madeline Franco hasn’t even graduated yet from CSULB’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Policy program, but she’s already achieving one of her life goals: educating people from different backgrounds about climate change.

While attending classes, Madeline works full-time as an SEI Climate Corps Energy Fellow at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Working at their Central Plant—the headquarters for operating the mechanical systems of all buildings on campus—Madeline is gaining hands-on experience in optimizing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, aiding with LED bulb retrofits, assisting with budget analysis for energy projects, and researching Low Carbon Fuel Standard initiatives. 

“My role focuses on learning how to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through data analysis and verification, contributing to the university's sustainability goals,” she said. “Many of these skills were exposed to me in my first year of the MSSMP program.”

Soon after starting classes in 2023, Madeline learned these new skills through a curriculum that highlights business-minded approaches to sustainability and climate-friendly practices that foster economic growth. She also benefited from members of the program’s Professional Advisory Board, which features a wide range of leaders in the field who share their experience through mentorships and networking. 

One of Madeline’s favorite MSSMP courses included Sustainability Management Simulations, where the class took on the challenge of achieving a 50% carbon reduction while staying under budget. Guided by the professor, the team-building experience was centered around incorporating feedback from the multiple perspectives of students. 

“This teaching style has been very insightful because of the diversity within my cohort,” Madeline said. “Collaborating allowed me to learn from mistakes. I thought that was a powerful lesson that pushed me to think critically.”

During her first year in the program, evening classes made it easy for Madeline to balance school while staying busy as an athlete on the Long Beach State Track and Cross-Country Team. She also gained valuable experience through an internship with Green Sports Alliance, an organization dedicated to advancing  sustainability and social impact in the sports industry.

“It is my dream to use the voice of sports and entertainment venues to communicate the need for action,” Madeline said. “My mentors from the MSSMP program have been instrumental in connecting me with this niche community.”

One of those mentors—MSSMP alum and CSULB Sustainability Specialist Nanci Torres-Poblano—recently presented Madeline with the opportunity to become a mentor herself. As a result, Madeline has been working with Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLPs), an innovative partnership between the CSU and UC systems to meet the need for climate and environmental justice literacy in elementary and high schools. 

“I am providing regional support for teams of 20 undergraduate students from various majors and universities,” she explained. “As an ECCLPs mentor, I am providing research guidance for students new to the field. I am also a leader in their professional development.”

As Madeline prepares to graduate in August 2025, she plans to combine all of her skills and interests to help find solutions to the complex problems of climate change.

“Although my career goals are not directly in education,” she explained, “I aspire to educate my community and corporations by making a case for sustainability and climate action. I am from the Los Angeles area, so I wanted to make a difference in my nearby communities.”

Learn more about the Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Policy program at CSULB.