Director of Sustainability
Lissette Hernandez
Program Coordinators
Connie Caldwell
Connie Caldwell, a Miami native, can remember the days when strawberry fields could be found just off the Florida Turnpike and North Kendall Drive. She credits witnessing the explosive growth of South Florida’s population and sprawl to opening her eyes to the myriad of issues and challenges unfolding with climate change. Before coming to FIU in 2009 for both her BA and Master of Public Administration (MPA), Connie volunteered for a multitude of Florida’s not-for-profits and worked for two, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Rebuild Northwest Florida. As a Program Coordinator, she is committed to/ and anticipates an expansion of FIU’s commitment to greener growth. Connie strongly believes that through greater understanding, empowerment, and opportunity individuals will make the changes that ultimately improve sustainability on a global scale.
Rolando Martinez
Rolando Martinez is a Cuban transplant and a first-generation University graduate from Florida International University. He obtained his degree in Environmental Studies and strives to serve as a leading figure in sustainability whether it be as an activist or as the head of the US Environmental Protection Agency. From a very young age, Rolando has shown an affinity for animals and the planet. He now fights every day to make the world more sustainable and a safer space for all.
Student Sustainability Assistant
Bailey McTigue
Bailey is a third-year Environmental Engineering student at FIU. She started with the office back in Fall 2017 as a Naturalist and is now our office’s Sustainability Assistant. Within environmentalism, Bailey is passionate about waste minimization, ecological restoration, and raising awareness for climate action. As a certified Rescue Diver, she has helped to restore coral reefs in the Florida Keys. As President of MIIndS, an FIU Honors club, she has helped to spread awareness of coral degradation by hosting events with the Coral Restoration Foundation. In her position at the Office of University Sustainability as the Sustainability Assistant, Bailey works to help the office run smoothly to further expand sustainability initiatives at FIU.
Urban Green Space
Alessia Carriquiry
Alessia Carriquiry was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She graduated from Sustainability and the Environment at FIU and got certified in Agroecology. She is very passionate about nature and enjoys traveling and exploring new places.
Cameron Green
Cameron Green was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa and came to FIU to major is electrical engineering. He is most passionate about my family, friends and the environment.
Marcelo Balladares
Marcelo Balladares was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 3. He is currently working on his Bachelors in Environmental Studies and hopes to find a career involving the protection of the Environment. In his free time he enjoys reading and spending time with friends.
Samuel Lopez Teracena
Samuel Lopez Taracena is a Freshman at FIU, loves nature, and outdoor activities. Samuel wants to be an Environmental Engineer like his dad and his main concern is being able to get into the engineering program.