The impact Colgate has on the field of sustainability comes not only from advancements on campus, but also from the pursuits of students after they graduate. To support students in realizing those ambitions, the assistant director of career development/STEM/sustainability, Matt Ardaiolo, offers guidance, structure, and an inspirational past. We reached out to Matt to learn more about his work before he joined Colgate in the spring semester of 2023 and his perspectives on the field.
Since completing my BS in biology from the University of South Carolina in 2008, I worked as a zookeeper at several institutions across the country, with the most recent ones being Denver Zoo, where I managed the ungulate collection for seven years, and Utica Zoo, where I had the opportunity to manage the animal care staff and collection. While at Denver Zoo, I completed my master’s degree through a unique hybrid program partnered with Miami University of Ohio, where I learned about the intersectionality of conservation and humans while focusing on marketing and promoting endangered cervid populations in zoological collections.
While working in nonprofit/scientific organizations, I learned a lot about community building and leveraging conservation and sustainability efforts to those communities. I have always been passionate about considering the environment around me and teaching others about how we can promote biodiversity, science, and sustainability in our everyday lives — something that I also bring to the forefront of the sustainable farm that my partner and I manage. Working at Utica Zoo was a great opportunity for me to explore my desire to mentor other zookeepers, and when I had the opportunity to bring all those pieces together to continue to coach the bright students of Colgate University, especially with the STEM/sustainability lens, I jumped at it!
Why do you find it important to have careers in sustainability?
Careers in sustainability are important because they touch every industry out there. I think the role we have to play, through these careers and mindsets, provides an opportunity to continue to move the needle toward sustainability — to ensure we are being mindful of the world around us. Careers in sustainability will only become more and more relevant. Possessing the skills necessary to be major movers in these careers will continue to propel each and every one of us forward to ensure we are living in a world that thinks about the legacy we leave behind and how that protects the biodiversity of our planet for generations to come.
What is your favorite sustainable practice you think everyone should adopt?
I’m a little biased, because of the farm my partner and I manage, but I think sourcing locally grown/raised food is the epitome of sustainability and my favorite practice. Not only does that allow us to consume more nutritious meals, but it allows us to substantially lower the carbon footprint that food production and transportation leaves behind, while supporting your local economy. The exciting part is that you don’t have to grow your own food to take part in this practice. You can visit the Farmers’ Market, whether at the Hamilton Village Green during the growing season or at Parry’s in the winter, purchase fresh produce from the Colgate Community Garden, or volunteer/work at the community garden or even other local farms (e.g. Common Thread Farm).
— Written by Owen Fahey ’25 and Julia Sparks