A Community-Centered Design major in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, Jada Gleeson has forged an academic portfolio defined by leadership, interdisciplinary learning, and a commitment to systemic change.
Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Gleeson spent her early years there before finishing high school in Mitchell, Indiana—two places she proudly calls home. Her academic journey began in social work in Indiana, but after transferring to UVM, she found a more aligned direction.
“After conversations with my advisors, I discovered the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics,” she said. “It felt like the perfect intersection of leadership and social advocacy.”
That sense of congruence with her goals has guided Gleeson through an undergraduate career rich with hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Over the past year, she has immersed herself in climate-focused electoral work with Run On Climate, advancing from a summer intern in 2025 to an Electoral Fellow. In that role, Gleeson led a team of student organizers, coordinating research, phone banking, and canvassing on behalf of climate-focused candidates. Her efforts helped flip several key elections in favor of climate champions.
“This experience has been instrumental in allowing me to bridge the gap between community organizing and tangible electoral outcomes.”
In parallel, Gleeson has worked as a Legislative Intern for Representative Bram Kleppner in the Vermont House of Representatives. Supporting the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure, she gained first-hand exposure to renewable energy policy and the inner workings of state government. Jada then progressed into the role of Campaign Manager for Representative Bram Kleppner’s 2026 re-election campaign.
Her commitment to climate advocacy extends beyond politics into the clean energy sector. Through her work with mentor Daniel Dus of Cleantech Industry Resources, Gleeson supported Solar Fight Night, one of the nation’s leading renewable-energy fundraising events, while simultaneously representing both Cleantech Industry Resources and Run On Climate. She credits Dus’s mentorship as a defining influence in her professional development.
Gleeson’s academic journey has been equally impactful. One of her most defining moments came when she delivered a TEDxUVM talk titled, “What Water Taught Me About Change.”
The experience challenged her to think more expansively about advocacy and inspired broader conversations within her community. Gleeson emphasizes that it was this experience that broadened her perspective on individual advocacy and made her consider how to make an impact on a larger scale within a community.
“Since then, I’ve been approached by both peers and professionals who were moved to start deeper conversations with me. The encouragement, recognition, and dedication from professionals like Thomas DeSisto, Kelly McDowell, and Christina McClay have been instrumental in my development. These connections, paired with real-world projects, have provided me with a level of professional confidence and networking experience that I never would have encountered through traditional coursework alone."
She also conducted undergraduate research in the Insect Agroecology and Evolution Lab, where she worked on the Colorado potato beetle with Yolanda Chen and Joe Gunn. Studying pesticide resistance and ecological systems gave her a scientific foundation to complement her policy work.
“It deepened my understanding of how micro-level ecological changes affect larger environmental systems,” she said.
Beyond campus, Gleeson traveled to Saint Lucia as part of the Winter Travel Course through a CDAE program focused on community development. Working with the Saint Lucia National Trust, she contributed to heritage and environmental preservation efforts, while also helping highlight UVM’s long-standing partnership with the island through an Across the Fence episode.
Her campus involvement further reflects her passion for advocacy. Gleeson engaged with the Young Democratic Socialists of America early in her time at UVM before shifting her focus toward environmental policy through the Run On Climate Club. She also participated in the UVM Political Science Club to strengthen her policy knowledge.
These experiences taught her how to balance campus engagement with the demands of professional work in policy and organizing, an essential skill she encourages younger students to develop.
“Don’t just join clubs, contribute to them,” she advised. “And prioritize networking. The relationships you build will be the true catalysts for your growth.”
After graduation, Gleeson will continue her studies at UVM in the Sustainable Innovation MBA program, where she plans to focus on sustainable business development and climate policy. Her long-term goal is to help organizations transition to a circular economy that prioritizes people and the planet alongside profit.
“My undergraduate experience has been the foundation for everything I’m building next,” she said. “It’s pushed me to apply what I’ve learned in real-world contexts and prepared me for the complexity of working in the climate sector. As I transition into graduate school, I look forward to applying this dual background in electoral strategy and policy advocacy to drive further sustainable innovation.”
From delivering a TEDx talk to influencing elections and contributing to renewable energy initiatives, Gleeson’s time in CALS reflects a deep commitment to making meaningful change. As she moves into the next phase of her career, she brings a rare combination of policy insight, scientific understanding, and strategic leadership, all of which position her to create a lasting impact in the fight for a more sustainable future.
