Linda Kogan

Sustainability Director

Linda Kogan is the Sustainability Director for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Linda helped to create her position and to develop the office 2005. In her tenure, she has directed two comprehensive strategic sustainability planning processes to address the areas of leadership and administration, operations and education. Additionally, Linda works with the Facilities Services Department to manage energy performance funds, develop conservation campaigns, advocate for high performance buildings in new construction, and direct the recycling and waste program.

Previously Linda lectured for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at (UCCS). She received a B.B.A. in Marketing with a double major in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a M.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies at UCCS. Her thesis focused on measuring institutional sustainability, providing an ecological footprint for the University of Colorado and evaluating its incorporation within curriculum. She coordinated the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network offering public seminars, a yearly green development conference, and assistance for local businesses to explore the competitive advantage of sustainability strategies. Linda was the founding co-president of Students for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability (SEAS) and is a member of the UCCS Campus Sustainability Committee. She is an advisory board member for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), and sits on the Colorado College Sustainability Council. Linda has directed and developed curricula for courses with Outward Bound since 1999 with a strong focus on diverse populations, including youth-at-risk, survivors of violence, and non-profit organizational leadership. While away from the office, Linda can be found climbing Colorado's mountains, telemark skiing, mountain biking, or backpacking in other countries.

Kevin Gilford

Assistant Sustainability Director

Kevin is currently the Assistant Sustainability Director for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and has worked in the Office of Sustainability since 2008. He recently completed his M.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies at UCCS with the thesis "Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: A Case Study Aligning STARS with the Values of UCCS." Kevin coordinates office projects, performs campus energy, utility, and greenhouse gas emission analysis, directs sustainability measurement and assessment activities, such as AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS), and maintains this web site.

Prior to joining the UCCS community, Kevin received his B.A. from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a major in Geography. He worked for six years with the U.S. Bureau of the Census, helping to develop the TIGER files, the foundation for many digital cartographic databases and geographic information systems today. After spending a couple of years traveling around the world, Kevin worked for fifteen years in the computer industry performing mission-critical technical support, computer system engineering and design, and managing a global technical services program. In addition to working in the Office of Sustainbility, he is a co-founder of a wind turbine development start-up company and a member of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES). He is an active member of the UCCS Sustainability Committee as well as the campus Climate, Landscape, and Heller Committees. He is a STARS Technical Advisor for AASHE and on the Steering Committee of the Pikes Peak Green Cities Coalition (GCC). He has volunteered with the Solar Home Tour, Habitat for Humanity, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, trail building projects and he provides navigation clinics (map, compass, GPS) to local non-profit groups. His passions include renewable energy and alternative home-building techniques, such as straw bale and rammed earth. When not at work, Kevin can usually be found outdoors somewhere mountaineering, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, skiing.

Eric Basco

Zero Waste Coordinator

Eric is attending his Junior year at UCCS in the College of Business, majoring in Business with an emphasis in Accounting. His interests with Sustainability focus on waste, recycling, and composting. Eric is actively a part of Phi Beta Lambda, a club focusing on Leadership and Success. He can be seen reading a book, practicing yoga, hiking, or spending time with his fiancée. His favorite quote comes from Don Williams Jr: "The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination."

Josh Hendrickson

Sustainability Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Josh is a graduate student in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. He recently graduated with his undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Studies in 2012. Josh grew up in Iowa and moved to Colorado Springs after falling in love with the Garden of the Gods. He loves food of all kinds, and it was this passion for what we eat as a culture and why that initially sparked his interest in Sustainability. Josh also works on campus as an IT Lab Adviser in Columbine Hall and with the Office of Student Recruitment. When Josh isn't working or studying, he is busy exploring the quality ingredients at one of the local farmer's markets, cooking, reading, or hiking the trails around Colorado Springs with his partner and their two dogs (a Jindo named Nikko and an Akita/Aussie named Zephrum.

Alison Smith

Water and Energy Conservation Coordinator

Alison is a junior at UCCS pursuing a Mechanical Engineer Major and minors in Business and Sustainable Development. She volunteers for CoPIRG's Energy Service Corps and is Treasurer for the up-and-coming Archery Club on campus. Energy and water conservation are paramount to not only UCCS expenses, but also for their environmental impact, and Alison is excited about working with such a complex and fascinating subject. In the future, Alison wishes to work in green technology, with the aspiration of working in tidal energy sources in New Zealand. In her spare time Alison loves karaoke nights at Clyde's, spending time with friends, family, and her two beautiful Siberian huskies, and doing yoga and tennis.

Valerie Beyer

Communication and Information Coordinator

Valerie is a senior undergraduate student studying Geography and Environmental Studies. She was homegrown on a forty-acre farm in Raymond, Wisconsin and has always had a passion to help bring sustainable changes throughout the world to many kinds of people. Valerie is unsure of where her future will go but she is excited to continue on life's path that has led her to many vast horizons. She also works on campus as an Information Technology Team Lead for the College of Business. Valerie's interests include crafting, going to music festivals and concerts, snowboarding, hiking, enjoying the sun, making people laugh, and most importantly, spending time with her friends and family.

David Maxon

Events Assistant

David is a sophomore at UCCS and is studying for a Bachelor’s in Biology. David is also a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, an elite merit-based scholarship and leadership program on campus, and he is currently pursuing a minor in Leadership Studies. David grew up in San Jose, CA, but has spent most of his life in Colorado Springs, and coming from and Asian background, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. David volunteers with YoungLife, as a YoungLife Leader in the Rampart Range area, where lies his passion of getting to know and mentoring younger students to become leaders in all aspects of their lives, as well as the future. David enjoys climbing 14ers, rock climbing, camping, playing guitar and singing, and spending time with friends and family.

Micah Perez

Water and Energy Conservation Outreach

Micah is a Senior at UCCS and is on the verge of completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a double Minor in Math and Aerospace. Micah hopes to work in industry designing HVAC and mechanical systems in buildings while working towards a Professional Engineering license. Micah is interested in implementing concepts of sustainability and efficiency in his future work. When not at work or in school Micah enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading books, hiking, biking, Skiing, gardening in his greenhouse, and playing soccer.

Kelsey Sells

Recycling Outreach

Kelsey is a senior at UCCS pursuing a Sociology major and a minor in Sustainable Development. The combination of these academic pursuits often leads her to ponder the social and cultural behaviors behind sustainability efforts, specifically food and waste .Her love for the outdoors has also sparked her interest in sustainability practices. Gradually, she became aware of the intimate connection between sustainable practices and conservation. Finally, Kelsey’s hobbies include hiking/running, yoga, reading, cooking, slack lining, snowboarding, and spending time with her friends and family.

Victoria Garcia

Graphic Design

Victoria is an undergraduate student at UCCS studying computer science, and hoping to add a minor in Japanese language. She is very interested in sustainable agriculture and the local food movement. She enjoys practicing yoga, gardening, drawing, sewing, and video games.