UNO Welcomes Kristina Hughes As Sustainability Coordinator

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) welcomes Kristina Hughes as the university’s new Sustainability Coordinator.

Kristina Hughes is a community advocate and engagement champion who is thoroughly committed to sustainability and climate advocacy. She has nearly a decade of experience collaborating on environmental initiatives, both in Nebraska and Colorado. Most recently, while serving as Communications Director for Senator Megan Hunt, Kristina assisted in introducing and passing legislation updating Nebraska’s statewide energy codes, making Nebraska the leader in efficient building codes in the Midwest. While working for the Nebraska Legislature, she also attended the Clean Energy Legislative Academy organized by the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University.

Kristina holds two bachelor’s degrees from Colorado State University in forest management and natural resource management. As an undergraduate, she served as Vice President of the student chapter of the Forest Products Society, secretary for the Alpha chapter of Society of American Foresters, member of the Xi Sigma Pi honor society, and member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Before graduating, she began work with Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) as their marketing and engagement coordinator for the Colorado Wood Utilization and Marketing program where her passion for empowering community members through sustainability initiatives grew.

After graduating, Kristina had the opportunity to continue her tenure with Colorado State University by serving as a research assistant to Dr. Robin Reich, where she studied climate impacts on high alpine forests in Colorado. While working for CSFS and aiding in research, Kristina also had the opportunity to serve as teaching assistant for multiple forestry and natural resource classes, and instructor for a 2-week forestry class located at Colorado State University’s Mountain Campus for 4 consecutive years. Her teaching experience instilled a deep passion for working with university students on environmental topics and issues and she is thrilled for the opportunity to continue to work with students at UNO through the sustainability coordinator position.

Kristina was recently accepted into the Master’s of Public Administration program at UNO and her professional goals center on urban sustainability and increasing access to the natural world for those living in metro Omaha. In her free time, she enjoys visits to the farmer’s market, yoga, gardening, and spending time with her fiancé and two pups.