By AZ CSO Mays – Chief Science Officer | Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE) Ambassador | ASU Preparatory Academy – Downtown Phoenix
My name is Mays, and I’m currently an early grad high school junior at ASU Preparatory Academy Phoenix. I was first introduced to the SWSIE through the Chief Science Officers program. In 2024, they put out a call seeking youth leaders passionate about building a more sustainable future for Arizona, and that mission immediately sparked my interest.
SWSIE, short for the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine, is a regional program led by Arizona State University, with partners and communities from other southwestern states. It focuses on driving innovation and collaboration around sustainability issues that specifically impact our region, such as droughts.
What makes my experience unique is that most people involved in SWSIE are professionals like scientists, educators, and other experts in the fields of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math, aka, STEM. I’m part of a small group of students who represent the youth voice in a space made up of mostly adults. Being one of the few young people in the program can definitely be intimidating at times, but it has also been incredibly empowering, too! It’s shown me just how important it is for youth perspectives to be included in shaping the future as we are the future itself!
As a SWSIE Youth Ambassador, my role is to bring those perspectives forward, help introduce sustainability topics to my peers and encourage them to take action while they’re still young. It’s about making sure our generation is not just heard but actively also involved in creating the change we want to see.
Each ambassador also develops a sustainability-related Action Plan to bring STEM and environmental awareness into our communities. At ASU Prep, my team and I are working on launching a school-wide recycling program. It’s a small but meaningful step toward encouraging long-term sustainable habits on our campus.
Even though I plan to pursue a career in medicine, being part of SWSIE has helped me recognize the deep connection between community health and environmental sustainability. This experience has shaped the way I think about helping others, not just through healthcare, but by supporting a healthier overall world.
