Student organizations offer an ideal space for passionate peers to unite and drive social change. Newly established as a registered student organization at the University of South Florida (USF), the 2025 USF Climate Teach-In is gearing up for its annual weeklong series of events, set for April 7-13. Part of the Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week, the USF Climate Teach-In, sponsored in-part by the Judy Genshaft Honors College, strives to provide students with opportunities for conversations around climate education and actionable solutions.
Student-Led Vision
Honors students Maia Ryan and Katelynn Paciorek, the 2025 Climate Teach-In president and vice president, are leading efforts to expand the event under student leadership.
Ryan, a computer science major, is passionate about sustainability. Paciorek, who is pursuing a concurrent degree in environmental science and professional and technical communication, is eager to explore how her fields of study intersect to enhance the initiative.
The 2025 USF Climate Teach-In will feature staple events such as a 5K race, public lecture, career fair, art exhibit, farmers market, and research showcase. This year, Ryan and Paciorek are introducing new elements, including multiple cleanup events, a sustainable habits demonstration, a movie night, zero-waste workshops, and more.
Each year, the Climate Teach-In evolves by partnering with a wide range of USF student organizations to highlight climate action and raise awareness. Organizers say this year’s collaborators include the Private Equity and Venture Capital Club, the Student Environmental Association, the Marine Biology Club, the Patel College of Sustainability, and the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council, among others.
Sustaining the Teach-In for Future Students
As part of their leadership roles, Ryan and Paciorek are building a long-term framework to ensure the Teach-In continues beyond their time at USF. Ryan is spearheading a shadowing program, allowing interested students to observe executive board and committee members before applying for leadership roles.
“Since this is our first year running the club, we’re creating a framework that future students can follow to continue the Teach-In,” Ryan said.
With an eight-member executive board, delegation has become essential in managing volunteers and ensuring a smooth transition from year to year.
“Being a registered student organization gives us a broader scope and allows us to do more,” Paciorek said. “We have more people involved, which helps expand our reach.”
Navigating Change
Transitioning from faculty-led to student-led has presented challenges, particularly in securing event locations and university resources.
“Naturally, as students, our networks are smaller,” Paciorek said. “We have fewer connections because we’re still building them, so finding communities to join us in our events is harder than before.”
Balancing school, internships, and extracurriculars has also been difficult.
“It’s about making the event bigger and better than in previous years while also ensuring we don’t take on more than we can handle,” Paciorek said.
The Climate Teach-In model was adapted from Bard College and originally brought to USF by Dr. Andrew Hargrove, an instructor in the Honors College and a key driver of its Sustainable Futures programs. Hargrove teaches sustainability-focused Honors courses such as How to Save a Planet and Cli-Fi: Climate Fiction and Climate Science, and his vision for the event was always to create an event for and by students.
“One of the reasons Dr. Hargrove created a student organization for the Teach-In was to ensure that climate education continues, regardless of whether he is here or if we graduate,” Ryan said.
Getting Involved
Ryan and Paciorek hope to see more students participate in this year’s Climate Teach-In. The event raises awareness of climate issues while providing hands-on opportunities for students to take action.
“Students really learn from these events and become more conscious of environmental issues and their role in addressing them,” Ryan said.
Beyond education, Paciorek hopes the USF Climate Teach-In will empower students to take an active role in environmental leadership.
“The Teach-In is a great outlet for students looking to engage in environmental leadership,” she said. “Through our various committees, students can get involved in planning fundraisers, organizing events, marketing, volunteering, and more.”
Learn more about the 2025 USF Climate Teach-In. Students and faculty can stay updated on the Climate Teach-In and its events by following @usf_CTI on Instagram.