Ilse Rojas-Hamilton (She/Her/Hers)

Ilse is the Associate Director for the Office of Sustainability. Ilse’s multi-faceted role includes providing strategic direction for the department, integrating team efforts and skills, and aligning them with the department’s budget process and broader University priorities to effectively drive informed sustainability and climate action decision-making across campus and beyond. Similarly, Ilse oversees much of the Office of Sustainability’s data collection and management, including the University of Arizona’s AASHE STARS process. She also oversees all aspects of the Compost Cats Program, one of the largest university-municipal composting programs in the country. Additionally, Ilse develops and administers innovative sustainability education initiatives that foster hands-on learning and engagement initiatives and promote a culture of sustainability across the broader campus and Tucson communities.

Dr. Rojas-Hamilton joined the Office of Sustainability in July of 2019, bringing 15+ 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.