“Never is it too late to do something, especially if it’s to protect the environment.”
Marileidy Pimentel Paniagua is a Columbia SPS CUNY Fellow, a student in the M.S. in Sustainability Management program, and a bilingual community organizer at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Despite innumerable obstacles in the fight against climate change and the particular challenges of grassroots environmental advocacy, Pimentel is encouraged by increasing public awareness of the issues at hand and remains undeterred in her efforts toward environmental justice.
Prior to joining Columbia’s School of Professional Studies, she studied at Bronx Community College and then transferred to the City College of New York (CCNY), where she earned a bachelor of science in earth and atmospheric sciences with double minors in community change studies and sociology. Now, as a recipient of the inaugural Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship, she hopes to use the skills she develops in the SPS program to amplify her efforts in advocating for sustainable initiatives and creating positive environmental change.
The Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship program was launched in early 2024 with the goal of providing high-achieving recent City University of New York (CUNY) bachelor’s or master’s degree recipients access to Columbia’s vast academic, professional, and community resources. The fellowship provides a full-tuition scholarship for six semesters in any one of the School’s graduate programs, helping to remove a financial barrier to earning a master’s degree.
We spoke to Pimentel about her path to SPS and what motivates her passion for sustainability and environmental justice.
Could you please tell us a bit about your background?
I was born in a town in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York City in 2012. During my internship at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, I focused on community gardens and their role in urban resilience and food justice. Now, as a bilingual community organizer, I work to increase Latino membership and support grassroots initiatives. I am a proud wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt of a Dominican family rising in the Bronx.
Why did you decide to apply to be an SPS CUNY Fellow in the Sustainable Management program?
I applied to the SPS CUNY Fellowship in Sustainable Management because I wanted to deepen my understanding of sustainable practices and enhance my ability to advocate for environmental justice. The program offers valuable knowledge and skills that I can apply to my work at WE ACT and my community both in New York and the Dominican Republic.
What does it mean to you to have gotten this opportunity and scholarship?
Receiving this opportunity and scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. It validates my hard work and dedication to environmental justice, and it provides me with the resources to further my education and make a greater impact in my community. I am thankful and blessed for it, and still in shock, it’s unbelievable.
What has been the most impactful lesson or experience for you from Columbia's Sustainability Management program so far?
One of the most impactful experiences has been realizing that the knowledge I apply in my everyday work is being taught at a master's level. This not only reinforces my expertise but also validates the significance of the work I do. Staying current with every topic in the courses has made me feel blessed and confident, ensuring that I am well-prepared and engaged in class discussions. It's incredibly rewarding to see that my practical experiences align with advanced academic concepts, and this alignment motivates me to continue my efforts in environmental justice with renewed vigor and confidence.
When talking about environmental challenges, there's often a sense that it's too late to stop what humans have already set in motion. How do you stay motivated? What encourages you to keep doing the work you do?
Never is it too late to do something, especially if it’s to protect the environment. Although staying motivated can be challenging, seeing the positive changes in my community and knowing that my work contributes to a healthier environment keeps me going. I'm encouraged by the growing awareness and action around environmental justice. Developments such as the increased focus on climate resilience and the support for community-led initiatives give me hope for the present and future.
What's next for you after SPS?
After completing the SPS program, I plan to put into action what I have learned in my role at WE ACT and anywhere that my knowledge is needed. My goal is to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained to make a tangible impact on environmental justice and sustainability within my community and beyond.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Management program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, provides students cutting-edge policy and management tools they can use to help public and private organizations and governments address environmental impacts and risks, pollution control, and remediation to achieve sustainability.
The fall 2025 application deadline for the M.S. in Sustainability Management program is May 1. Learn more about the program here.
