From Appalachia to Aberdeen, UVA Grad Pursues Sustainability

Meredith DiIoia plans to continue her sustainability studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. (Contributed photo)

While pursuing her undergraduate degree, DiIoia volunteered with Appalachian Sustainable Development, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and wellness of the Appalachian region. There, she witnessed firsthand the power local communities possessed, and how those communities harnessed that power for change.

She continues to volunteer with the organization, she said.

A member of the UVA Office of Sustainability’s Civic Engagement Subcommittee, DiIoia’s capstone project involved creating a holistic sustainability plan for the University-owned Morven Farm.

“The plan included achieving UVA’s Sustainability Goals, which focused on stewardship, discovery and engagement for UVA students,” she said.

Rebecca Deeds, Morven’s programs director , said she was impressed with the work DiIoia’s team performed.

“I met with the project team several times to help guide the study,” Deeds said. “I was struck by how Meredith and the student team were imaginative and creative, but also realistic and good listeners. They ensured the recommendations were action-oriented and built upon our strong programming foundation on sustainability topics. They were also able to complete what I view as a professional-level study within one short semester.” 

Joan Gore, chair of the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship Selection Committee and a retired UVA faculty member, said DiIoia’s background and her response to it are an important element in the selection process for this $40,000 scholarship.

“Meredith’s creative integration of her personal experience and her education, and how she has made use of these experiences, eminently qualify her for this grant, which will enable her to fulfill her life goals in the environmental field,” Gore said. “Her personal experience living in Appalachia and seeing the environmental degradation caused by the systemic effects of coal mining extraction has made supporting the environment a primary and passionate goal for Meredith. Her background has shown her the impact environmental degradation has on not only the physical environment, but the communities that exist within these physical environments, too.” 

Rotary’s opportunity, DiIoia said, will help her pursue a sustainability career.

“I am so excited and grateful for this incredible opportunity,” she said. “I still have a hard time believing that I have received this scholarship, which will help me achieve my goals and dreams, something that would not have been possible without the award.”

At UVA, DiIoia also volunteered with Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy and was a member of the Environmental Justice Collective, a space for the larger UVA community to discuss environmental injustice. She was on the Dean’s List multiple semesters.

DiIoia said she would not be able to continue her education without the Rotary Scholarship.

Chris Elliott, chair of Rotary Piedmont Council and assistant dean at the McIntire School of Commerce, said the three Rotary Clubs in Charlottesville and Albemarle County have been amazed by the caliber of students applying to and receiving Rotary Global Grant Scholarships each year. 

“Meredith DiIoia clearly is an accomplished student and we are thrilled to support her commitment to study and develop expertise in climate change and environmental management,” he said. “The committee was particularly struck by her recent experiences with the Appalachian Sustainable Development organization – where she sought to combine her interests in sustainable development and environmental management with a local community-facing organization advocating for lasting change and responsible stewardship of resources.

“We are eager to hear how Meredith will focus her leadership and service to people, communities and the planet moving forward.”