Jessica Rowland

Jessica Rowland is a Senior Lecturer II and Associate Director of Sustainability Studies at the University of New Mexico (UNM), affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She has been with the program since 2009 and holds an M.S. from the University of Arizona. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary sustainability education, food systems, and climate change mitigation.

Her teaching emphasizes behavior change for sustainability, and she organizes initiatives like the annual UNM Sustainability Expo and the Lobo Growers’ Market. She has served on the Board of La Montañita Food Co-op and consulted for the Thornburg Foundation on local food systems. Previously, she worked in environmental geochemistry and climate policy in Washington, D.C.

• Education: M.S., University of Arizona

Research interests include sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and community engagement. She collaborates with campus and community partners to advance regional sustainability initiatives.

• Awards: College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award

Advising and grants: Jessica mentors students through experiential projects and collaborates on community-driven sustainability programs. Her work integrates academic research with practical solutions for environmental challenges.

Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Sustainability Studies program and collaborates with the UNM Spatial Computing Lab and GeoAIR Lab on interdisciplinary projects.