Zachary Hayes
University of Michigan - FlintZachary Hayes, a senior at the University of Michigan-Flint, is a student leader active in addressing environmental issues in the Flint Community. He is involved with the Future Urban and Environmental Leaders club (FUEL), the Food Recovery Network at UM-Flint, and the Student Honors Council (SHC). His passion for his community is also evidenced through his ongoing commitment to service through participation in alternative breaks and service Saturdays. Zach has encouraged the university to evaluate its recycling practices and to make sure that recycling is properly disposed of once it is collected. Furthermore, Zach has been working on food recovery initiatives with dining services resulting in hundreds of pounds of food being given to the local community. During this tumultuous time in the city of Flint, Zach has been a committed and dedicated student whose work has been instrumental in the effort to rebuild the community.
Personal Statement
As a student majoring in Energy and Sustainable Systems with a minor in City and Regional Planning, my passions lie in both environmental preservation and community equity. I've shown my strong initiative to pursue opportunities in community service at the University of Michigan - Flint in several ways. When I was a freshman, I was appalled that there wasn't an environmental club established on campus. I connected with like-minded students to form the Future Urban and Environmental Leaders (FUEL). FUEL has been very successful in making a positive impact on campus. Through FUEL I've engaged the campus and Flint communities. I organized and participated in numerous events including Flint River Cleanups, the College Town Recycling Challenges, water filter giveaways and Flint Water Crisis community forums. Being the president of FUEL has allowed me to connect with many organizations, including the Food Recovery Network (FRN). After many meetings, I established our campus chapter last spring with the purpose of donating leftover food from our dining buffet to local Flint non-profits. To date, my volunteer team and I have donated 1,900+ pounds of food. I have found my passion for helping people and the environment through service and remain dedicated to the cause.