The Civil Service Council will feature a civil service employee at Illinois State University each month to highlight an exceptional colleague and the outstanding work being done on campus! This month get a chance to learn about and applaud Elisabeth Reed from the Office of Sustainability.
What is your position on campus and how long have you been with the University?
I have worked at ISU since 2008. I am currently the Director of our Office of Sustainability. Prior to this, I was a faculty member for 11 years in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program here at ISU.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I love working with the students. We have an opportunity to educate our campus community to be stewards of our environment, to create a culture of social responsibility, and to provide the tools for our students to actively participate. If we can do this while they are here at ISU, then they will expect this from their communities, their work places, and neighborhoods. We have created a tremendous and positive ripple effect. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing from a former student making the world a better place because of what they learned here at ISU!
What are your hobbies or favorite past-time?
I love to travel to the beach and the mountains, read all kinds of different books, and cheer on my kids while they play all the sports they love!
What else would you like others to know about you or your time at ISU?
ISU is where we have raised our family – from our children attending the ISU Child Care Center to many nights spent cheering on the Birds at Redbird Arena, to summer camps and fashion shows to tuning into WGLT on the morning drive to campus. The people and community of ISU are our second family!
More about Elisabeth from Kristie Toohill, Director of Facilities Management:
Elisabeth’s love for students, sustainability, and our campus, make her the perfect person to lead the Office of Sustainability. She has a vision to elevate sustainability at Illinois State through programs and environmental stewardship. Elisabeth works tirelessly to be present for all who need her and to cultivate sustainability in every way she can. She enjoys partnerships across campus and within the community to collaborate, share her expertise, and learn from others. She recently led a campus-wide task force to develop the first Sustainability Strategic Plan and provided updates for the Facilities Standards and Design Guidelines, both of which will provide opportunities and direction for campus.
Elisabeth has a passion for sustainability that you feel as soon as you meet her. She has a drive to make things happen and is committed to develop others through internships, civic engagement, site visits, workshops, class projects and so much more. She just finalized the Office of Sustainability as a part of “Birds Give Back 2022,” which will hopefully provide even more opportunities to expand our positive impact across campus. Elisabeth is a true Redbird – I enjoy getting to work with her and making a difference together.
