A Warm Welcome to our new Assistant Director Mike Harrington

As a former EPSM graduate and a person generally invested in the sustainability Goals of The New School, we are happy to announce that Mike Harrington will be joining the Tishman Center team as an Assistant Director to help drive sustainability throughout The New School. Since moving to NYC in 2016 to attend the EPSM program at Milano, he was very interested in engaging with sustainability work at The New School. Mike hopes to continue the great work of the former Assistant Director Molly Craft Johnson, and he looks forward to working with the committed students, faculty, staff and alumni of the university to not only keep our sustainability and environmental justice (EJ) initiatives going, but to grow our community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and equity. What were you doing prior to coming to the Tishman Center?While you may have seen me around campus as the President of the Sustainable Cities Club, TAing for the Parson’s Sustainable Systems course, working with the cafeteria to assess food sustainability, or helping with sustainability events, I grew my EJ and sustainability skills in Chicago. Prior to attending The New School, I did two years of Americorps service, where I learned how to address environmental issues using an Asset Based Community Development approach, which focuses on looking for and utilizing existing institutions and relationships and using those to make change instead of looking for what is missing. I grew my expertise in sustainability through volunteering with boards on both the Delta Institute (an innovative environmental non-profit/consulting firm focused on the Great Lakes Region) and the Green City Market (Chicago’s largest farmer’s market). I also learned a lot about community gardening and food systems through my work with Ginkgo Organic Gardens. I was able to further develop a holistic understanding of environmental issues by working alongside a great team of colleagues at Elevate Energy, a leading non-profit whose mission is to increase access to energy programs and savings for all people. What excites you the most about working for the Tishman Center?Even though I have had many experiences working on mitigating the effects of climate change on communities, I am always learning something new and it is my hope that as I help The New School reach (hopefully exceed) its sustainability goals, I am able to learn even more from the wonderful students and alumni, my fellow staff and the dedicated faculty here. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions or concerns so that we can all work together to make our community more equitable and green. I look forward to working together with you all!