Michelle Gibbs
Director for the Office of SustainabilitySince November 2014, Gibbs has served as the first director for theHolland-Hope College Sustainability Institute (HHCSI), a partnership between Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. The HHCSI’s mission is to foster collaborative efforts to infuse sustainability into the minds and practices of the greater Holland community. In August 2018, she became the first director for Hope College’s Office of Sustainability, where she coordinates strategic planning, implementation, analysis and communication of campus sustainability initiatives by working with faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Gibbs oversees a free community sustainability education series,Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore, which won the 2016 Top Project of the Year Award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality'sNeighborhood Environmental Partners Program.
Education
- M.S., sustainable management, University of Wisconsin–Online Extension Program, 2018
- B.A., zoology with a specialization in environmental studies, Michigan State University, 2007
Professional experience
Before moving to Holland, Michelle worked at Lakeshore Technical College in Wisconsin as the next generation energy coordinator. Prior to that, she worked as an environmental scientist for an environmental consulting company. She also worked for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality while in college.
Awards and recognition
- 2014 Volunteer of the Year with the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council's (MACC) Watershed Project
Why I love Hope
Michelle feels truly blessed to have the opportunity to work for Hope. She says everyone here is friendly, helpful and working together to create a better world. She believes sustainability is a multifaceted topic that will take all of us using our unique talents and working together to create a more sustainable world. Michelle loves having the opportunity to work with students on all aspects of sustainability and helping them find areas they are passionate about and how they can have an impact on our campus, our local community and around the world.
Outside the college
Michelle, her husband Travis and their two children are members at Zion Lutheran Church. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially outdoors! She is a Great Lakes Girl and enjoys being in/on the water or hiking/snowshoeing the beautiful Michigan trails.
616.395.6811
gibbsm@m.icarseries.com Miller Center for Musical Arts Room 233221 Columbia AvenueHolland,MI49423-3605