This week’s Student Spotlight features Missouri State University junior, Indigo Tran. Students featured in the Student Spotlights show characteristics exemplified in each of Missouri State University’s three pillars: Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence, and Community Engagement. They also exemplify what daily practices of sustainability look like. You can find these students educating, volunteering, and pushing for a more sustainable future. Please read on to see how Indigo practices the three pillars, sustainability, and what it means to be a bear.

 Name: Indigo Tran

Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam

Graduation Year: 2019

Major: Environmental Biology and Evolution. Minor in Sustainability

What is your favorite vegetable?

This is the toughest question but I will have to go with a chayote.

What career options are you thinking about and why?

I want to work in water and plant conservation.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love to cook and garden. I’m lucky to have the campus garden to be a job that I love going back to.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Mt Verde in Peru, for the ecological system and the native cuisine.

When did you first become interested in sustainability? Share the story.

When I was really little, my family would make it a fun game to recycle. Whenever I save enough cans and glass bottle, we would all take it to the recycling center and sell the cans. I felt like I made my own money, even though it was not much, but I did something good for the environment and bonded with my family at the same time.

How are you involved in sustainability on campus and/or in the community?

I’m currently the campus garden manager and I have been involved with Students for a Sustainable Future as vice president for a couple of semester and as an active member ever since I started college. I’ve been in the sustainability engagement subcommittee that connect faculty and student in joining efforts to make sustainability campus-wide. I will be a part of the advisory committee to prepare for next year Public Affairs Conference with the theme of Sustainability.

And I put my trash in the recycling bin :))

What motivated you to get involved?

Thanks to SSF, I’ve met so many inspiring individuals that help me “walk the walk”, being sustainable, active and vocal about it.

What advice would you give other students who want to live more sustainably?

Just pick one sustainable habit that you can take on at a time and stick to it (like bring your own container when eating out or carry reusable grocery bags). Once you have incorporated that into your routine, pick another change you can make, keep adding on until you feel comfortable.

What is one thing that makes you unique?

Have you ever known a Vietnamese with the name of Indigo? That’s me.

Anything else you want to share with the world?

My life purpose is to become a tree, preferably aspen. (I can be compost and put into the ecosystem maybe).