Ilse Rojas-Hamilton (She/Her/Hers)

Ilse is the Program Manager for the Compost Cats Program with the Office of Sustainability. Her role is to oversee the diversion of organic waste and engagement initiatives to promote food security, student workforce development, and environmental/social justice across campus and within the Tucson community through public education, outreach, and research facilitation.

Dr. Rojas-Hamilton joined the Office of Sustainability in July of 2019, bringing 12+ years of progressive experience in environmental consulting, outreach and education programs development, interdisciplinary research, and mentorship. She has initiated and managed numerous federal and state grant projects and delivered over $6 million in USDA projects on behalf of low-income and socially disadvantaged groups in Arizona.

Dr. Rojas-Hamilton is a Fulbright alumna. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Chile and a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from the University of Arizona. Over the years, she has focused her expertise on providing outreach, education, and reliable holistic solutions to address pressing water-food-energy challenges faced by local communities.

As Compost Cats Program Manager, Dr. Rojas-Hamilton is working to continue empowering student employees through focused experiential learning and leadership to better inform and inspire the Tucson community about food waste reduction, food security, materials cycling, soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship broadly. Her goal is to enhance the Compost Cats Program to serve and benefit both the University and communities throughout Southern Arizona, becoming a sustainability resource for the Southwest.