Office of Sustainability

Jim Walker, Director of Sustainability

Office: FC1 3.102 
Phone: (512) 475-6549
jim.walker@austin.utexas.edu

Jim collaborates on sustainability initiatives across campus and with surrounding neighborhoods and the City of Austin. This includes facilitation of the President's Sustainability Steering Committee, campus planning initiatives, supporting resource conservation efforts and various Green Fund projects. He received his Master’s in Community and Regional Planning from UT Austin last century, has worked on sustainability issues in Austin for over 20 years and will always share a cup of coffee to brainstorm the next cool idea.

Jill Parrish, Program Coordinator, Green Fund

Office: SSB 1.302 
Phone: (512) 471-8647
jill.parrish@austin.utexas.edu

Jill manages the Green Fund program, a student-funded, competitive grant program, for the Office of Sustainability. Jill works with students, faculty and staff who are interested in applying for Green Fund funds to make UT Austin a greener place. After working at local and national non-profits facilitating community-driven environmental projects, Jill transitioned to state government where she managed state and federal grant programs. Jill is a UT Austin alum, receiving her undergraduate degree in Biology before there was recycling on campus and is thrilled to be a part of UT’s sustainability effort. 

Lilly Young, Staff Coordinator, Campus Environmental Center

Lilly (she/her) is the Staff Advisor for the Campus Environmental Center (CEC), a student-led program in the Office of Sustainability. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. Before joining UT Austin, she worked in private equity sustainability, focusing on integrating environmental and social responsibility into investment practices. Outside of work, Lilly enjoys practicing yoga, exploring Austin’s green spaces, and engaging in local sustainability initiatives. She is passionate about empowering students to make a tangible impact and is proud to be part of the UT Austin community.

Jessi Coats-Drummond, Living Lab Coordinator

Office: SSB 1.302 
Phone: (512) 232-7840
jessica.drummond@austin.utexas.edu

Jessi (she/her) is the Program Coordinator for campus "Living Lab" programs, which allow students to get hands-on sustainability work and research experiences. She moved from Southwest Florida where she completed her master’s degree in Environmental Science at Florida Gulf Coast University. During her time in Florida she worked at various non-profits focused on conservation and sustainability. She is the former staff advisor for the Campus Environmental Center (CEC), a student-led program in the Office of Sustainability. She also worked in the Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Department at Florida Gulf Coast University connecting students to sustainable organizations. She is passionate about creating a space at UT for students to learn, lead, grow, and recharge.

Rocky Baier, Sustainability Analyst and Reporting Coordinator

Office: Virtual 
raquel.baier@austin.utexas.edu

Rocky (she/her) collects and analyzes data from sources around campus to create actionable and insightful data visualizations. She also assists with regular reporting to STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System). She works remotely from Tucson, AZ, where she lives after graduating from the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in Journalism. She regularly volunteers with the Tucson Repair Cafe, a nonprofit she co-founded to help reduce waste by fixing broken items for free. Rocky is passionate about all things sustainability, and she's happy to be a part of the UT family!

Caitlin Griffith, Program Coordinator, Climate Leaders

Office: SSB 1.302 
caitlin.griffith@austin.utexas.edu

Caitlin (she/they) coordinates the Climate Leaders Program, a student-led experiential learning program focused on climate action planning. They also manage the office social media accounts (@texassustainability). During her non-traditional undergraduate experience she bartended, studied sustainable development in Fiji, earned a grant that secured renewable energy credit funding for the University of North Texas, and ultimately graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied anthropology. After working as sustainability coordinator at the University of Texas at Dallas, they decided to migrate back to their adoptive home of Austin. She is a recent graduate of the Master of Public Affairs program at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.