By Sharnell O’Neal, Student in the M.S. in Sustainability Management Program, School of Professional Studies
From studying chemical engineering at Tuskegee University to researching sea level change at Columbia, Michael Jordan has always been driven by curiosity and a passion for solving real-world environmental challenges. As a current student in the M.S. in Sustainability Science (SUSC) program, he’s combining his technical background with hands-on sustainability work in a lab and through student leadership. I caught up with Michael to talk about his journey, research, and advice for future students.
You began in chemical engineering before transitioning to environmental engineering and sustainability science. What motivated that shift, and how has it reshaped your outlook on your career?
My focus shifted because I realized that environmental engineering is more applicable to the real-world challenges I’m passionate about. My pivot from chemical to environmental engineering was driven by a desire for more direct, hands-on interaction with the world around me. My bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Tuskegee University built a strong foundation in analytical and systems thinking, and studying environmental engineering and sustainability science has allowed me to apply that rigor in analytics, thermodynamics, and systems design to real-world environmental challenges.
Growing up in Oakland, California, I saw the devastating impact of wildfires on communities and ecosystems—clear evidence of climate change’s growing toll on both public health and the environment. These experiences inspired my commitment to sustainability. SUSC has equipped me with valuable skills in areas like remote sensing, geosciences, seismology, and coding that enable me to approach sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary lens.
You’re currently working on a publication about the Baltic Sea with Professor James Davis. Can you share what that research entails and what excites you most about the project?
I am studying sea level change in the Baltic Sea at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. My current research builds on what I learned in Professor Davis’s course SUSC PS5030: Observing and Understanding Sea Level Change. I’ve also taken his Python-based course SUSC PS5060: Statistics, Data Analysis and Coding for Sustainability Science, which gave me the technical expertise to write scripts for processing and visualizing complex environmental datasets. Applying classroom concepts like these to real-world research has been incredibly rewarding. I am most excited by the opportunity to strengthen my coding skills while working closely with such a knowledgeable professor. Unique and enriching experiences like this are why you come to Columbia.
As an HBCU graduate, how have your experiences at Tuskegee and Columbia shaped your academic and cultural perspectives, and how do they complement one another in your educational journey?
Comparing my HBCU experience at Tuskegee University to my graduate school experience at Columbia makes me appreciate the key academic and cultural elements of each. I’ve found that the SUSC program at Columbia builds on my undergraduate chemical engineering background from Tuskegee in a way that feels both rigorous and accessible. I value Columbia’s small class sizes, which encourage open dialogue and collaborative, roundtable-style discussions.
Culturally, Columbia offers a dynamic environment. I first came to Columbia in a research capacity at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (SEAS), and it has since evolved through my enrollment in the SUSC program at the School of Professional Studies (SPS). I now also serve in student government for SPS, and it has given me the chance to engage with staff and administrators behind the scenes and learn about the University’s operations and leadership. Equally meaningful, though, is the community I’ve found within the sustainability graduate programs, especially among fellow HBCU graduates at Columbia who bring diverse and valuable perspectives to the classroom.
In your time at Columbia, you have generated three publications, and you are working on two more. What strategies or opportunities were key to this research success?
I’ve earned these opportunities at Columbia by showing up, speaking out, and staying engaged. My approach has always been to make my interests known and seize opportunities when they arise. During my time at Tuskegee, I advocated for myself to build my skills in chemical engineering, which opened the door to many meaningful conversations, including a lunch with Columbia professors. This ultimately opened the door to a research position at SEAS after graduation.
In my research role within the Department of Chemical Engineering at SEAS, I developed technical skills, collaborated across disciplines, and deepened my understanding of concepts I first encountered as an undergraduate, such as fluidized beds and vibrational simulations. My research helped me realize how deeply technical innovation and sustainability are interconnected. Engaging with faculty who worked at this intersection naturally led me to the SUSC program, a place where I could build on my experience to directly address global environmental challenges.
My advice to fellow HBCU young professionals: No one can hear you if you don’t speak up, so make your presence known in every room you enter.
You’re involved in SPS student government. What has the leadership role meant to you, and how are you working to make an impact within the broader SPS community?
Serving in student government has expanded my understanding of leadership and community building. As the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) officer and at-large representative for the SUSC program in SPS student government, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with student leadership and staff like Errold Jones, associate director of DEIA at SPS. I supported the planning of our Cultural Day event, which celebrates the diverse backgrounds of students at SPS. Through this role, I’ve strengthened my soft skills, gained insight into student engagement, and begun shaping what the DEIA officer role can look like for future students. I’m excited to continue developing initiatives that foster belonging and equity.
Balancing research, leadership, and academics is not easy. How do you stay grounded and motivated while navigating such a demanding and diverse set of responsibilities?
Balancing my responsibilities can be intense, so it’s important to stay grounded. Right now, everything in my academic and professional lives is moving quickly, but I stay motivated by reminding myself that there could be someone, somewhere else, in a similar position working even harder. This pushes me to keep going.
At the same time, I know it’s important to not overextend myself and burn out, because I’m planning on pursuing a Ph.D. sometime in the future. I have to be able to balance academic intensity with moments of rest. Living in New York helps me maintain balance. A movie day or using Columbia’s free student museum access are some of my favorite ways of decompressing and reconnecting with the city.
What advice would you give to incoming SUSC students who are looking to make the most of their time at Columbia?
First of all, make sure to take advantage of all the free events, tickets, and food that Columbia offers. There are a lot of great resources if you know where to look. Secondly, approach your academic life with flexibility, because not everything can be done in one day. It’s important to stay in communication with your professors. Most of them understand the pressures you’re facing. Thirdly, have fun! New York is full of people making things up as they go, so don’t be afraid to make bold plans and embrace spontaneity.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Science program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, prepares students for management and leadership positions in which they help organizations address environmental impacts. Students learn strategies to respond to the ever-changing environment and predict future environmental changes—and the impact on corporations, not-for-profits, and the public.
Designed by research faculty at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in collaboration with Columbia’s Earth Institute, the program develops a new generation of scientific leaders through a cutting-edge curriculum led by the world’s top sustainability scientists, the majority of whom are Lamont Research Professors. Graduates are well prepared for management and leadership positions, armed with the scientific expertise to drive meaningful environmental change and lead organizations in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. With the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses, students can tailor their education to career goals, while New York City serves as a living laboratory for sustainability innovations and connects them with employers actively seeking program graduates.
Learn more about the program here.
