Project Mentor: Professor Kate Jackson, Community and Population Health
2025 Impact Fellows:
Cooper Andersen '26
Zach Burns '27
Gianna Olinger '27
Annalise Thapaliya '26
Project Description:
This project team will work in partnership with the Southside community of Bethlehem to identify pressing environmental concerns, co-produce a map of environmental justice hotspots, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of the community. Students will, among other methods, conduct walking audits, address Southside resident concerns, participate in community meetings and clean-ups, create and manage an Adopt a Spot website connecting neighbors who want to keep Bethlehem Beautiful, and produce recommendations for city-wide change. The project will also explore the impact of trash, pollution, and aesthetic violence on well-being, the causes of illegal dumping, and the community's response to environmental hazards using Community-Based Action Research methods. Knowledge of GIS/mapping software, or the willingness to learn early in the Spring semester, is necessary. Having individual transportation is strongly preferred. All majors are welcome to apply.