Pepperdine Scholar Earns National Fellowship for Sustainability Leadership
Belle Li was recently selected as a Rachel Carson Council Fellow in recognition of her work advancing sustainability initiatives at Pepperdine University. The Rachel Carson Council is a national environmental organization whose fellowship honors college students from across the country for their commitment to environmental leadership.
Belle’s fellowship project explored ways Pepperdine could strengthen its environmental impact through initiatives ranging from a sustainability newsletter highlighting campus achievements to expanding the university’s Food Recovery Network.
Environmental sustainability and its impact on different communities has long been central to Belle’s academic interests.
Posse gave me the foundation I needed to succeed.
“I’ve always been passionate about sustainability, but it never felt complete without looking at the human side of it,” says Belle.
Recognizing the relationship between environmental issues and social advocacy, Belle spent several years volunteering at a law office in Long Beach, where she helped advocate for older adults who did not speak English fluently.
Those experiences inspired Belle to pursue majors in sustainability and Hispanic studies while preparing for law school. Belle also broadened her studies through Pepperdine’s international programs, studying ecology in Argentina and Spanish culture in Madrid. Alongside her coursework, she has consistently balanced at least two jobs while remaining active in campus leadership.
“I realized that if I wanted to make meaningful change in environmental policy, I needed to understand both the law and the communities those laws affect,” says Belle.
One of Belle’s most significant leadership experiences has been serving as president of Pepperdine’s Food Recovery Network chapter. During her tenure, the organization recovered more than 5,000 pounds of food for local community kitchens. Belle also helped expand campus gardening initiatives that support sustainability education.
As Belle prepares to begin law school, she reflects on the role Posse has played throughout her journey.
“Posse gave me the foundation I needed to succeed.”
