About - UPPER MIDWEST ASSOCIATION FOR CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

About UMACS

The Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) was established in 2005 to support higher education staff, faculty and students in the region who are working to advance sustainability on their campuses and in the community. We believe that by building collaborative relationships and sharing ideas and resources, we can advance our work for a more sustainable society. We offer programming throughout the year and an annual conference.

At this time, anyone can participate in UMACS programming. In 2024, we became a membership organization and encourage campuses to learn more about membership benefits.

UMACS is led by Megan Voorhees, our part-time Executive Director, and a volunteer Steering Committee. If you would like to learn more about UMACS and share ideas for how we can best support your work, please contact Megan Voorhees.

UMACS Staff

Megan Voorhees - UMACS Executive Director

Megan Voorhees has served as UMACS part-time Executive Director since September 2022. She also works as a life coach, organizational consultant and has fun teaching “Cultivating Purpose: for the Midlife Academy at the University of Minnesota. Megan’s career has primarily focused on leading higher education and community programs designed to help participants effectively address complex social and environmental issues. Most recently, she was the Director of Experiential Education and Graduate Programs at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, where she also was Affiliate Faculty at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. From 2000-2013, she was the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Public Service Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She has also led youth development and youth employment programs in the non-profit sector. Megan has a BA In Sociology and Anthropology from Lewis & Clark College and Masters in Theological Studies from the Graduate Theological Union.

When not working, Megan enjoys time with her husband, two children, two dogs and friends. She also loves, reading, gardening, music, traveling, and doing what she can to contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Rachel Krouse (she/her) - Events and Communications Coordinator

Rachel is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she obtained her degree in Community Sustainability with an emphases on Environmental Justice. While in school, Rachel was a student athlete on the UWSP Cross Country and Track & Field teams (Roll Dawgs!). She also worked in the UWSP Office of Sustainability where she fell in love with sustainability communications and education. Rachel is passionate about many aspects of sustainability but is particularly drawn to the Green Sports movement.

When not working at UMACS, Rachel works at a day service for adults with disabilities. And in her free time, Rachel enjoys being active outside by cycling, running, and hiking. In addition, Rachel enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family, and playing with her two cats.

Elizabeth Gust (she/her) - Summer 2026 Intern through the University of Minnesota's Sustainability Corps

Elizabeth will be a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she is studying English and Political Science with a minor in Environmental Geosciences. She is from a small town in Northwest Minnesota and is interested in sustainable development within food, water, and agricultural systems. She is also passionate about the intersection of human rights and climate justice within international systems of governance.

At UMACS, Elizabeth will be helping to design new programming for 2026-27, including events focused on environmental justice, climate action, and student engagement. She will also help with the 2026 Conference and is excited to meet the other attendees.

Elizabeth loves to read science fiction novels, visit art museums, play the piano, and try new foods. She previously completed an internship at the Minnesota Senate and hopes to explore environmental policymaking in the future.

Sophia Agtarap (she/siya) - Facilitator, Sustainability Fellows Program

Sophia Agtarap (pronouns: she, siya) is a 1.5 generation Filipina who works alongside communities in the areas of justice and climate solutions, as they do the necessary work of imagining and co-creating the world they want to build and animating others to join in creating a more just society where all may flourish.

Sophia lives out her vocational call as faculty at South Seattle College while completing her doctorate through the Education Policy, Organization & Leadership department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Here she explores the intersections of climate solutions and racial justice in community and technical colleges. She also serves as a Board Member for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

She does life in community and resides in Tacoma, Washington, the traditional homelands of the Puyallup people, with her spouse, kiddo, pups and rabbit. She is the daughter of a retired United Methodist clergy person, public health nurse, older sister to two siblings, and auntie to six. You can learn more about Sophia here.