The Staff Spotlight: Exploring Your UW Support Network
This series shines a light on the support systems that help staff at the University of Waterloo thrive. Through conversations with the staff behind this work, we highlight the services available to staff and opportunities to get involved and grow.
In this Spotlight, we meet Patricia Huynh, who works at the Sustainability Office, where she coordinates, leads, and implements projects across campus related to sustainability. We spoke with her about sustainability projects, campus collaboration, and the many ways staff can help build a more sustainable Waterloo.
Tell us about your role at UW and what your day-to-day work looks like
As the Sustainability Projects Manager at the Sustainability Office, my role is to coordinate, lead, and implement projects across campus related to sustainability. I lead projects that work towards the goals of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS).
My day-to-day varies a lot because I work on areas like water, energy, waste, and food. Sometimes I'm out planting trees; other times I’m in the office doing reporting, data analysis, or meeting with a variety of partners across campus. We work with units across campus because without them, we wouldn't be able to reach our sustainability goals. I also lead the Living Labs Program, which gives students experiential hands-on learning where they get to tackle sustainability questions that also support challenges that the University of Waterloo faces in terms of sustainability.
Patricia Huynh
Sustainability Projects Manager
Sustainability Office
There's just so much passion, interest, and curiosity at the university—it’s amazing to be a part of that space all the time.
What drew you to this role, focusing on sustainability in a university setting?
I've been a grad student for over a decade now, so I love the university environment. There's just so much passion, interest, and curiosity at the university—it’s amazing to be a part of that space all the time.
Having been a student for so long, it’s also been really interesting to have that staff perspective and see how the university operates in ways students may not be aware of. I've learned so much more about the university from being a staff member. It's been a really great experience. A big part of that has been meeting people from lots of different departments, from the academic side to the operational and support unit side.
For someone unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe the impact your team has made on campus?
At the University of Waterloo, we’re like our own little town—our population actually surpasses other towns in Southern Ontario. We've been able to track the progress we've made over time on our sustainability goals. We report on all the targets (e.g., emissions, water, energy) that we're trying to reach on our website. We’ve made some great progress, but there are still many opportunities to do more, so we continue to work collaboratively with people all across campus in order to meet those goals.
Can you share a project or initiative you’re proud of and what made that experience rewarding?
I'd love to highlight the food garden that we installed by the V1 residences. This is the third year of the garden, and it has 10 raised beds. This year, it’s actually majority staff who are tending the plots. It’s amazing to see that staff are using these plots as ways to get to know each other better, learn about food and where it comes from, and grow their own food as well. I’ve heard really positive feedback from staff about their experiences.
We also have the North Campus Community Garden, where many others garden as well. I applied for the funding through the Sustainability Action Fund and was involved in the planning, design, and installation. Seeing it used so actively has been really rewarding.
Are there any new sustainability initiatives you’re excited about right now?
We just released our new Sustainability Strategy, which includes some ambitious targets, but I’m really excited to get things rolling and start seeing progress.
It’s amazing to see that staff are using these [garden] plots as ways to get to know each other better, learn about food and where it comes from, and grow their own food as well.
What’s a challenge you face in your work and how do you approach it?
I think one of the big challenges we face is that people already have their own responsibilities and KPIs to meet. It can be hard to collaborate when everyone is so busy and has a lot on their plates. But I also see lots of opportunities to connect with people, build community, and create ways for them to connect and de-stress.
For example, we’ve been leading pollinator walks to highlight all the green spaces, plants, and biodiversity on campus that people might not otherwise notice. It's neat to be able to provide those services to people on campus.
How does collaboration across departments shape your work?
Collaborating with others has been incredibly educational. It’s been great to learn what people in different units across campus do in their day-to-day work. Being able to transfer that knowledge into other areas has also been a positive experience.
Overall, it’s been a great experience collaborating with so many people and seeing change happen. Within the Sustainability Office, we have the Green Office Program, with staff ambassadors who are the sustainability champions in their departments and units. Being able to empower them to incorporate sustainability practices into their offices has been meaningful to see.
What trends in campus sustainability are you most excited (or concerned) about?
With everything going on in the world, it’s encouraging to see that people are still concerned about climate change. We have people reaching out all the time asking things like, “How can I make my office more sustainable?” or “Can you lead a presentation?” There are lots of staff who may not be as familiar with sustainability but want to be better informed and feel empowered to make sustainable choices in their workplace. It’s great to see that ongoing interest and how people are finding ways to incorporate sustainability practices into their roles—even if their job descriptions might not be directly related to sustainability.
What are some ways staff can contribute to sustainability efforts at Waterloo?
Staff members can check if they’re part of our Green Office program and, if not, maybe explore ways to get involved.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved in sustainability. We host a variety of events, such as our lunch and learns. We also offer volunteer opportunities to help with invasive species management or campus naturalization and support events like orientation, encouraging staff to share sustainability practices with others.
What is your favourite part of working at UW?
I’d say my favourite part is connecting with people across campus—learning what they do, how they support the university’s goals, and how we can work together. I love seeing how those synergies come together to make a big impact for students, staff, and faculty, and to move our shared goals forward.
What is another staff role that deserves a spotlight?
I would plug Nicole Pin, a dietitian from Food Services. Not only is she a dietitian, but she’s also a huge champion for sustainability on campus. She’s been involved in initiatives like the eco-mug and eco-container programs and is always coming up with ways to encourage more plant-based diets to help reduce carbon emissions and our overall footprint.
Is there anything else you want people to know?
We have a very open-door policy at the Sustainability Office. If people have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to us. We are always here to address them and figure out how to make campus more sustainable—and we want to do it collaboratively.
Do you have an idea for a support, service, or team we should spotlight? Tell us! We prioritize suggestions that showcase less visible work, reflect a broad range of roles and lived experiences, and centre voices and roles that are often under-recognized.