From Minnesota to Norway: How two SSM graduates are shaping a sustainable future

August 22, 2024

As the world grapples with climate change, a new generation of leaders is emerging, equipped with the knowledge and passion to make an impact. Among them are Nicole Witt and Erik Lucas, both alumni of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems’s Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) program. Now pursuing graduate studies in Norway, they reflect on how their education has pushed them to seek change in the environmental sector.

Nicole Witt on a flight to Norway

For Nicole Witt, the decision to major in SSM was driven by a desire to explore different aspects of the sustainability field. “I liked that the program was a bit generalist and covered many topics in regards to sustainability,” she recalls. This broad foundation allowed her to dive into various aspects of the sector before honing in on the Energy Systems specialization in the major.

Erik Lucas, who double-majored in Applied Economics and SSM with a focus on corporate sustainability, was motivated by a different goal. He saw the potential to make a significant impact by working within corporations to improve their environmental footprint. 

“There is so much blame placed on consumers to make sustainably conscious decisions, even when sustainable alternatives can be inaccessible due to cost or lack of availability,” Erik explains. “The problem runs deeper than the consumer's choices.”

This fueled his desire to influence sustainability from the inside out, by helping companies operate more responsibly. For Lucas, the combination of economics and sustainability was the perfect recipe to equip him with both the technical skills and ethical framework needed to pursue his goals.

Erik Lucas in Norway

Both Witt and Lucas found their way to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) for their graduate studies, drawn by the institution’s strong emphasis on sustainability and its international reputation. For Witt, who is a dual citizen of Norway and the United States, the decision to study Applied Economics and Sustainability with a specialization in Climate, Environmental, and Energy economics at NMBU was a natural extension of her growing interest in economics. 

“I am passionate about learning to create better systems to motivate people to change their behavior and address the negative [effects] of climate change,” she says.

Lucas, whose Norwegian heritage and desire for adventure led him to NMBU, was equally drawn to the program’s alignment with his background. “Norway has such a strong reputation for incorporating sustainability into everything they do,” he says. The opportunity to reconnect with his roots while advancing his studies in a country renowned for its commitment to sustainability was too good to pass up.

Currently, both Witt and Lucas are interning with Becour, a company that is challenging the status quo in the renewable energy market. Becour specializes in trading renewable energy credits, a crucial tool for companies looking to claim renewable energy use despite the challenge of tracing electricity back to its source.

Witt is involved in a project to establish a credit market for biogas, an environmentally friendly alternative to natural gas. 

“So far, I have enjoyed learning about the renewable energy credit system and how it functions,” she says. Her work at Becour aligns well with her academic focus and career aspirations.

Lucas’s role at Becour involves researching how renewable energy credits function in the U.S. market, a task that draws on his dual expertise in economics and sustainability. 

“Becour is motivated by developing renewable energy infrastructure and encouraging the use of these energy attribute certificates, not just treating them as a commodity that they can profit off of.” This commitment to making a meaningful impact motivates him as he carves out a career path.

Erik posing with peers in front of NMBU

As they near the completion of their graduate studies, both Witt and Lucas are eager to continue their work in the renewable energy sector. Witt envisions a career that allows her to explore different aspects of the market, always with an eye toward innovation and sustainability. “I think that this field is really exciting and interesting,” she says. “It would be cool to get a job in something related after I graduate.”

Lucas, too, is focused on leveraging his education and experience to drive change. His time at NMBU and Becour has only strengthened his passion to contribute to the renewable energy industry. “I'm really proud to be here at NMBU and to have been able to experience working in the renewable energy industry in a country that is a world leader in sustainable energy,” he said.

For current and future students considering a similar path, the alumni offer some words of advice. “So much of my life's path has been dictated by just taking advantage of opportunities at hand,” Witt said. “Nothing is set in stone, so it is okay to try something and decide it is not for you.”

Lucas echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of embracing new experiences. “Don't be afraid to try new things and consider the options that seem like a big leap,” he says. Both encourage students to consider studying abroad, as it offers invaluable perspectives and new opportunities for growth.