What sets SES apart is that our research extends beyond the campus and laboratory out into the field and communities. We examine pressing, real-world issues and translate scientific findings into accessible information for citizens, communities, businesses, and decision makers.
Our outreach and extension work addresses relevant societal needs, including agriculture, food systems, water sustainability, climate change, stakeholder engagement, urban resiliency, and healthy ecosystems. Our students' educational training is enhanced by these outreach services. Faculty build these projects into classroom curriculum, and students gain knowledge about best practices and approaches to problem solving. These same projects provide undergraduate internship or research experiences for SES students. This kind of learning is invaluable—it puts core concepts into context so our students graduate with unique professional experience, positioning them to be unusually competitive in the workforce. By engaging with partners in the community, government agencies, and businesses, our students develop a diverse professional network that will serve them well beyond graduation.