Sonoma State University enlightens students with its essence of nature, and a particular student, Madi Hayes, has her eye out to protect the beautiful bounty we have surrounding our campus. Besides enjoying the beauty that Sonoma has to offer, Madi Hayes decides to put her passion into actions about sustainability within our community.

Madi Hayes is currently a Junior here at Sonoma State, and is involved in various ways on top of her two majors, environmental studies and marine biology. Her generous amount of work and involvement with environmental practices has given our school a practical outlook on sustainability.

“I took a marine biology class in high school, and soon after realized I wanted to help people and the planet for the rest of my life,” said Hayes.

  Hayes grew up in Malibu, and had always wanted to make a change. Her passion for the environment grew deep during her high school years, when taking a marine biology class and falling absolutely in love. Hayes knew her passion had grown so deep for the love of the environment that she wanted to incorporate it into her time at the university.

  When Hayes is not busy with her studies, she spends most of her time working with Join Us Making Progress (JUMP), the community service program, as a part of Associated Students here at Sonoma State. Beginning as a Sustainability Coordinator in the beginning of her Sophomore year, Hayes organized small scale community service events regarding sustainability.

“My job as Sustainability Coordinator was to help the school create community service events concerning sustainability to students and staff,” said Hayes. 

 Hayes skills and focus landed her a promotion in May 2019, as Director of Sustainability. This job entails overseeing three coordinators, helping with marketing improvement, and meeting with housing for composting.

“With this new job, I have a few people under me that I manage, and they help with marketing and improvement for our community,” says Hayes.

Hayes and the JUMP community are always trying to recruit volunteers to help with activities like gardening around campus. Hayes believes it is very necessary to have volunteers to keep their program growing strong, and keeping the campus sparkling. 

Any student is welcome to lend a hand with JUMP, and learn new aspects about our community they that may have never known.

In addition to Hayes’ wonderful accomplishment as Director of Sustainability, she was as involved as possible, which led to her position as JUMP’s former treasurer. Hayes also takes time to provide for the university in many other ways. This includes: working as a summer orientation leader, a former teammate on the rowing squad, and a current member of the Greek organization Alpha Gamma Delta.

  Hayes keeps a busy schedule during the year, but she learned to keep herself at a well-managed, steady pace throughout her hectic lifestyle, by providing time to help others and time for herself. Hayes likes to find balance, and make sure she takes time out to keep herself well-adjusted. Often, Hayes can be found hanging out with friends on her downtime, reading books, and even collecting makeup.

  “When I am not working or doing homework, I like to hang out with friends, and I read on my downtime. I love a suspenseful book,” said Hayes.

  Hayes wants to gain more responsibilities as she continues her journey, hoping to expand her boundaries, and enter the world of environmental policy. Her current job title has pushed her to believe she can go anywhere from small scale environmental practices, to performing them on an even bigger scale. This includes her current dreams to write environmental policy regarding social justice around the D.C. area, to not only help the planet but the people on it.

“I would love to go deeper and combat environmental racism, and deal with policies that keep people of color oppressed, and perhaps write environmental policies of my own,” said Hayes.

  Hayes’ work has made her a vital component of the Sonoma State community, and will continue to through her years as a college student. Hayes has shown a tremendous amount of care for our school, and the opportunities she has provided has opened doors for many others here at our university. Hayes wants to help the environment, as well as help people’s ecological footprint in a positive way.

  “Volunteering is a super important aspect in my life, and I feel like everyone should be giving back to their community in some way shape or form,” said Hayes.