Solving real-world problems. Preparing for a lifetime of community leadership.

Leadership for Sustainable Development is a next-generation, interdisciplinary degree program that combines immersive hands-on learning, career development, a liberal arts foundation, and Mercy values to transform learners into skilled 21st Century leaders.

Students teaching in local school
Students packing food packages for area food pantry

Pick Your Track

The program goes far beyond traditional academic barriers to dig into real-world challenges - preparing our students to sustain and improve critical systems in areas of Peace & Justice, Nature & Environment, Business & Economics, and Healthcare & Wellness. Flexibility is built into the program's DNA, making it easy to transfer in or double major.

Peace & Justice track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Business & Economics track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Nature & Environment track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Healthcare & Wellness track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Pick Your Track

The program goes far beyond traditional academic barriers to dig into real-world challenges - preparing our students to sustain and improve critical systems in areas of Peace & Justice, Nature & Environment, Business & Economics, and Healthcare & Wellness. Flexibility is built into the program's DNA, making it easy to transfer in or double major.

Peace & Justice track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Business & Economics track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Nature & Environment track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Healthcare & Wellness track

Undergraduate
On Campus

Our Immersive Approach

Working closely with a range of employers and community partners, graduates will be well-prepared for graduate school, government, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and poised to make a positive difference in the world.
Students in an outdoor class speak with Leadership for Sustainable Communities professors
A student presents academic findings
Students doing research in an estuary
A student talks with Leadership for Sustainable Communities professor
Students and staff after packing food baskets for donating to area food bank

Discover your Leadership Skills

Explore the fields that interest you most and learn how your strengths can help you succeed.

Work with Leaders

Learn from the variety of leaders who join LSC classes as subject experts and mentors.

Tackle Real-World Challenges

Build your skills and networks by working on real-world projects with local businesses, organizations, agencies, and municipalities.

Student Stories

Andrew Martin ’24

Leadership for Sustainable Development, History

Andrew Martin 2024 LSD
Andrew Martin 2024 LSD 2

“The idea to begin a community garden grew from a song lyric and an interest in community organizing, into a full-blown passion project in only a couple of weeks. I’ve learned that if you set goals, your impact can be huge. If enough people across the country set their sights on the issues endemic to their communities in that way, we might find ourselves living in a nicer place.”

Nhu Vo 17 a

Nhu Vo ’17

Environmental Science, Marine Studies

“To me, sustaining my community means to support, stand with, and advocate for those around us who might not be able to advocate for themselves. The word ‘sustain’ is defined as ‘to support, nourish, and strengthen’ and so in sustaining our community, we are doing the same. We are looking out for each other, we are supporting each other, and we are taking care of each other.”

Nhu Vo 17 b

Andrew Martin ’24

Leadership for Sustainable Development, History

Andrew Martin 2024 LSD

“The idea to begin a community garden grew from a song lyric and an interest in community organizing, into a full-blown passion project in only a couple of weeks. I’ve learned that if you set goals, your impact can be huge. If enough people across the country set their sights on the issues endemic to their communities in that way, we might find ourselves living in a nicer place.”

Andrew Martin 2024 LSD 2

Nhu Vo ’17

Environmental Science, Marine Studies

Nhu Vo 17 a

“To me, sustaining my community means to support, stand with, and advocate for those around us who might not be able to advocate for themselves. The word ‘sustain’ is defined as ‘to support, nourish, and strengthen’ and so in sustaining our community, we are doing the same. We are looking out for each other, we are supporting each other, and we are taking care of each other.”

Nhu Vo 17 b
 

Learn Skills to Build Sustainable and Resilient Communities

Leadership

Through interactive and hands-on collaborative courses, you will work with local leaders to develop leadership skills specific to your chosen tracks.

Insight

You will gain a deeper understanding of community concerns and how people are leading the way to address them.

Network

All LSC majors build strong networks throughout the program, culminating in an internship /applied experience capstone.

Science students doing field studies in a watershed area
Students teaching in a local school
Students making pies to donate for food baskets for Thanksgiving
Science students doing field studies in a watershed area
Students teaching in a local school
Students making pies to donate for food baskets for Thanksgiving

Partnerships and Programs

Working closely with a range of employers and community partners, graduates will be well-prepared for graduate school, government, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and poised to make a positive difference in the world.

Local Government

Work with local municipal officers on a variety of initiatives, from equitable broadband access to food insecurity and community resilience.

State Government

Mentor with legislators and elected officials and learn how government happens at the state level.

Justice Organizations

Work with organizations such as Maine Women’s Lobby, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Maine Correctional Center, Long Creek Youth Development Center, and more.

Environmental Organizations

Work with the local water system, local lake associations, conservation commissions, and more.

A person with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is working in a laboratory, handling test tubes and lab equipment on a cluttered workstation. Nearby, there's a green notebook labeled "Lab Notebook. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
 

Community Organizations We Work With

  • Local Municipalities

  • Local Chambers

  • Local and State Governments

  • Service and Advocacy Organizations

  • Healthcare Organizations

  • Justice Organizations

  • Environmental Organizations

  • Local For- and Non-Profit Businesses

Faculty

Dale Brooker
Dale BrookerAssociate Dean of Academic Initiatives and Innovation, Program Director for Interdisciplinary Studies
Wendy Galgan
Wendy GalganAssociate Professor, English
Meredith Emigh-Guy
Meredith Emigh-GuyDepartment Chair, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Mark Hibben
Mark HibbenAssociate Professor, Political Science/History
Michelle Laughran
Michelle LaughranAssociate Professor, Political Science/History
Jeff Morgan
Jeff MorganAssistant Professor, Theology
Greg Teegarden
Greg TeegardenProfessor, Natural Sciences

What are the next steps?

 
Aerial view of a university campus in the fall, surrounded by colorful trees and situated near a large lake. Buildings, pathways, a sports field, and parking lots are visible. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Application Deadlines

Nov. 15

EARLY ACTION

Rolling

REGULAR ADMISSION