Gracie FrenchIntern Insights is a mini-series that spotlights the interns participating in the Sustainability Internship Program (SIP) and their day-to-day activities and accomplishments. The Office of Sustainability partners with the Student Sustainability Council and sustainability-related units from across the University to provide exciting and meaningful undergraduate internship opportunities for UK students. Interns work with a mentor to support a specific sustainability-related unit on campus, develop an independent project, and participate in a professional development series with a full cohort of interns. In this article, we are excited to share the perspective of Gracie French, our Kentucky Climate Consortium intern.
Hi! My name is Gracie French, and I am the intern for Kentucky Climate Consortium (KYCC). KYCC focuses on professional development, networking, and climate research and education across Kentucky by connecting professionals who are passionate about climate-related work.
I was drawn to the Sustainability Internship Program after a professor of mine posted a job ad highlighting the different positions offered through SIP. I chose to intern with the Kentucky Climate Consortium as a way to gain experience with climate communication, but through this internship, I have gained much more. I’ve learned how important clear and reliable climate communication is, especially in a field where information can feel overwhelming and inconsistent.
Since August 2025, I have been working under Dr. Lauren Cagle, where I assist with a variety of tasks that support the organization’s outreach and engagement efforts. My responsibilities include maintaining and building new pages on our website as well as providing support for our Climate Chat series, an event that happens monthly where our members and guest speakers are given the chance to talk about the amazing climate-related work they are doing! I also create monthly newsletters. These newsletters highlight member accomplishments, climate-related news, upcoming events, and job or graduate opportunities, helping keep our members informed and connected.
In addition to my day-to-day responsibilities, I am working on an independent project to develop a collection of white papers as an educational resource for Kentucky Climate Consortium members. This collection will cover a range of Kentucky-based climate topics, with the first paper exploring the relationship between climate and construction. Specifically, it examines both the environmental impacts of construction practices and how climate conditions, such as extreme weather, influence construction processes and infrastructure performance.
As a civil engineering major, this topic is especially meaningful to me. I see the importance of sustainability in the way that we design and construct buildings and infrastructure. While traditional practices often prioritize cost and efficiency, there is a growing need to integrate sustainable strategies. Considering environmental impacts before and during the construction phase can lead to more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible projects.
Looking ahead, our organization will be beginning preparations for the spring 2027 Kentucky Climate Symposium! This event brings together professionals, researchers, and students to share knowledge, present research, and collaborate on climate-related initiatives. I am excited to contribute to the planning process and see how the symposium continues to grow. Keep an eye out for more information.
This experience has also given me the opportunity to connect with professionals across a variety of climate-related fields. Being able to learn from their work, hear their perspectives, and see how they contribute to climate solutions will be invaluable to me in my career.
Overall, my internship has allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience with climate communication and given me insight into the real-world impact of climate work.
