Energy. Consumption. Biodiversity. Climate. Understanding the complex interconnections of natural and human systems is fundamental to any enterprise, and to life on this planet. The Sustainability & Society Key invites us to explore these systems up close, with hands-on activities in our local ecosystems and Kenyon’s extensive network of conserved forests, farms and wetlands. Critically examine data and grapple with the trade-offs inherent in environmental decision-making, all rooted in a cultivated sense of place.
Kenyon Keys are interconnected and open for all to explore, whatever your major, class year or career interests.
Related Courses
Conservation Biology
Conservation biology is an integrative discipline that encompasses aspects of evolution, ecology and population biology to understand conservation-related issues in a changing world. Learn how different factors influence population dynamics, and how management practices can ameliorate impacts on biodiversity.
Chemistry and Climate Change
Do you have a favorite renewable energy source? Can it really make a major contribution to global energy needs? Use the subject of climate change to strengthen your analytical skills, articulate your personal interpretation of risk, and practice storytelling techniques with an impactful topic.
Solar Power Systems
How can humanity harness the power of the sun to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels? In this electrifying course, you’ll study the physics of energy before putting knowledge into practice by designing, installing and flipping the switch on a functioning photovoltaic system on Kenyon’s campus.
The Anthropocene as a Philosophical Problem
This course is a philosophical introduction to the environmental humanities, taking the concept of the Anthropocene as our point of departure.
A Living Laboratory
Kenyon is the only college in the nation with its own land conservancy. Within the 6,000 acres of preserved land surrounding Kenyon’s campus are an environmental center and working farm that serve as living laboratories for students and faculty.Go Deep with Paid Research
Research takes center stage during the summer months at Kenyon, with funding for mentored research projects as early as your first year. Here are a few.
The Sustainability Scholars program provides opportunities for environmental studies majors to pursue research with a faculty mentor related to climate change or sustainability. Selected scholars will work in close collaboration with their faculty mentor as well as staff from the Brown Family Environmental Center, Kokosing Nature Preserve, Philander Chase Conservancy or Kenyon Farm, for up to 10 weeks during the summer. The Sustainability Scholars program is supported by the Kenyon College Fund for Environmental Studies.
The Kenyon Farm Fellows program provides opportunities for STEM-related student-faculty summer research or academically related high-impact experiences that utilize resources at the Kenyon Farm. The selected fellow will work in close collaboration with a STEM faculty mentor and the staff and volunteers of the Kenyon Farm for up to 10 weeks during the summer. The program is funded by the Diane Elam ’80 and Nancy Donohue Endowment for Kenyon Farm Fellows.
The Hoskins Frame Summer Science Writing Scholars program supports student writers who wish to communicate artfully and with precision about science, with the goal of deepening our understanding of the natural world and our place in it. Science Writing Scholars working for up to 10 weeks during the summer develop writing projects in diverse genres through close interactions with active research groups in Kenyon’s Summer Science Scholars program and with the Office of Communications. The Hoskins Frame Summer Science Writing Scholars program is made possible by Rick Hoskins and Lynne Frame P’22.
Inform, Persuade and Delight Through Scientific Storytelling
In this interdisciplinary program, learn to write artfully, creatively and with precision about the natural world. Science and nature writing at Kenyon empowers you to become a skilled storyteller who can communicate complex scientific issues to a general audience.Fast-Track Your Internship
These internship opportunities are offered exclusively to Kenyon students, many of them designed by Kenyon alumni or local partner organizations. Kenyon offers funding to supplement wages or offset expenses for internships that would otherwise be out of financial reach.
XCharge Energy North America offers two internship tracks at a clean energy technology company manufacturing EV charging and smart grid solutions. Finance interns will support accounts payable/receivable, reconciliations, and financial data management using QuickBooks and Ramp. Operations interns will coordinate cross-functional projects, track operational KPIs, maintain data systems, and identify process improvements across sales, marketing, and product operations.
Summer 2026 | Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors | Finance track: remote | Operations track: on-site in Austin, TX
Learn about Kenyon internship funds.
Knox County Head Start offers an internship to support the development of sustainable food access initiatives connecting local farms, gardens, and community resources with early childhood programs. Interns will research farm-to-school models, develop gleaning and surplus food infrastructure, create contact databases of local food partners, identify funding opportunities, and present findings to agency staff on strengthening local food systems for Head Start families.
Summer 2026 | 24 hours per week for 10 weeks | Environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, economics, biology, political science or related fields
Learn about Kenyon internship funds.
Knox Public Health offers an internship to supervise and mentor teens (ages 14-19) in a community garden program teaching sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and life skills. Interns will lead garden maintenance, facilitate educational workshops with local experts, coordinate farmers market activities, and create an inclusive learning environment focused on food systems and youth development.
Summer 2026 | Education, agriculture, environmental science, nutrition, public health or related major | Valid driver’s license required
Learn about Kenyon internship funds.
Ariel Foundation Park offers an internship to develop and deliver environmental education and interpretive programming for youth and adult audiences. Interns will lead guided hikes, birdwatching walks, and historical tours; create educational materials and presentations; facilitate nature-based activities and school group programs; and research local flora, fauna, geology, and cultural history to connect visitors with the park's natural resources.
May 11-August 14, 2026 | 20 hrs/week including weekends and holidays | Environmental/Natural Sciences or related field | Valid driver's license required
Funding available through Kenyon internship funds.
Clubs & Organizations
-
Environmental Campus Organization
ECO aspires to transform Kenyon into a more sustainable college, while also raising awareness of environmental issues.
-
Birding Club
Through guided nature walks and discussions, the Birding Club provides instruction on bird identification, morphology, lifestyles and conservation.
-
Outdoors Club
KCOC connects members of the student body with the natural world and with one another by offering affordable trips, outings and activities to members of the community.
-
Buildings, Grounds & Sustainability Committee
The Buildings, Grounds and Sustainability Committee creates dialogue between students and administrators surrounding the current state of campus buildings and grounds projects.
