Written by SSM student Daniel Rudolph
Paige Peugeot, who is in the Corporate Sustainability Systems track, is working towards minors in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (ESPM), and Entrepreneurship.
Originally from Prairie Village, Kansas, just a short drive from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Paige's journey to the Twin Cities has been an exciting one.
"Minneapolis and St. Paul are definitely a change, but I love all my cities!" she says, expressing her appreciation for her second home while staying true to her ties in Mahomes’s heartland.
The decision to pursue Sustainable Systems Management wasn’t always clear at the onset of her time at the U. "I knew I wanted to do something environmentally focused, but I wasn’t entirely sure how," she shares.
It wasn’t until the end of her first year when she met Erik Joerres, the department’s Student Support Specialist, which really helped her find a place within SSM. "Erik introduced me to the SSM program and I was really intrigued by the possibilities and classes offered. And shortly after, he helped me transfer over and I’ve loved it ever since!"
She adds that the SSM program has given her the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics while maintaining a central focus on environmental sustainability.
Her passion for environmental work is evident in her academic pursuits, and her enthusiasm only continues to grow as she nears graduation in the Spring of 2025. One of the projects Paige is particularly excited about is the SSM Capstone project, which will serve as the culmination of her academic journey. "It’s a chance to dive deep into a project that pulls together everything we've learned in SSM," she says. "I’m excited to create something that can make a real difference."
Beyond academics, Paige has fully immersed herself in university life and extracurricular activities. She is a part of the Ski-U-Crew intern team with the Office for Student Affairs, where she connects with new people and engages with the vibrant community of Gopher athletics. Paige also helps with the Root & STEM program student group that is dedicated to helping and inspiring high school girls interested in STEM fields to pursue their passions as they begin to apply for colleges.
"I love being able to continue being a part of this major and create more opportunities for fellow and future students," she says. Additionally, she’s an active member of the BBE and SSM Student Ambassadors!
In addition to her campus involvement, Paige has gained pronounced real-world experience as an Environmental Intern with U.S. Compliance in Excelsior, Minnesota. In this role, she prepares and submits Tier II hazardous material storage reports as part of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
She also works with industrial clients to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, assisting with reports at the local, state, and federal levels. "U.S. Compliance has been a great experience, and I’ve learned a lot about how to do environmental consulting professionally," she says.
Looking ahead to her career, Paige hopes to become an environmental consultant, though her broader goal is to simply make a positive impact on the world and environment, regardless of the scale. "Whether the impact is big or small, I just want to contribute to something positive,” she says.
Paige is also a die-hard Gopher sports fan, and if there’s a game on campus, there’s a good chance Paige will be there—most of the time on the JumboTron!
Just this week, I was watching the Gopher basketball game against Penn State live on television, and sure enough, there was Paige, front row at Williams Arena, also known as the Barn, in the distinct Gopher animal onesie!
Not even an hour later, I attended the men’s Gopher hockey game against Wisconsin. I couldn’t believe it—again, now at Mariucci Arena in person, there she was on the JumboTron! It’s safe to say that Paige might just be one of the most involved Gopher sports fans on campus!
When asked for advice for current SSM students, Paige encourages everyone to connect with your peers. "Get to know the people in your classes! There are so many wonderful people in the BBE and SSM community with varying interests and stories," she says. "Some of my absolute favorite people I met through my SSM major, and I wouldn't trade them for the world!"
Paige is an exemplary example of what it means to be engaged, passionate, and committed to making a difference. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes after graduation, and we’re proud to have her as part of the SSM community.