Joe Fullerton – Director
Joe brings over 15 years of experience as a sustainability leader and change maker to the Office and is excited to be working with faculty, staff, students and the expansive UConn campus community. Joe is committed to leading sustainability efforts and the office with a special focus on inclusive engagement and empowerment, and equitable enrichment.
In his most recent role, he was the Director of Energy and Sustainability Programs at Prospect Silicon Valley, a San José, California based non-profit dedicated to accelerating the adoption of clean tech and sustainability solutions. In this multifaceted, senior-level position, Joe helped deploy equitable decarbonized building and transit solutions in local governments, schools and other public agencies throughout the state of California.
For nearly a decade prior to joining Prospect SV, Joe served as the Energy and Sustainability Manager at San Mateo County Community College District. Here he led local and statewide efforts to advance a range of sustainability objectives including the formation and growth of a comprehensive initiative to equip students from all walks with sustainability leadership competencies through paid internships, fellowships and credit granting academic partnerships. Joe was also the Inaugural Chair of the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee for the California Community College Chancellor’s Office where he charted a path for decarbonization of the entire 115 college system by 2035. Joe has been recognized nationally, and within the state of California for his dedication for putting students first, being resourceful, and creating synergistic educational and operational benefits.
One of the reasons why he enjoys working in higher education is because Joe is a life-long learner; currently he is an Executive MBA candidate at the Quantic School of Business and Technology. He also holds a Master's Degree is Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University and Bachelors in Sustainable Enterprise Management from the University of Phoenix. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Educational Facilities Professional and Climate Reality Leader. Joe also loves to share his knowledge and experience: In the past he has been a faculty Associate at ASU’s renowned School of Sustainability, a professional sea kayaking instructor, climbing guide, and mountain biking coach. Currently, he is an instructor in the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council's Building Operators Certification program.
Joe is a dedicated husband, father and citizen. When not parenting, working, attending classes or teaching, Joe can be found climbing, mountain biking and exploring the natural world. He invites you to reach out with ideas, questions or opportunities to collaborate. Also please feel welcome to connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefullerton/
Email: joseph.fullerton@uconn.edu
Phone: (860) 486-3673
Patrick McKee – Senior Sustainability Program Manager
Patrick McKee was hired by the OS in 2018 to serve as UConn’s Sustainability Program Manager. Reporting to the Director, Patrick works to develop, plan, and administer programs, initiatives and events that align with the University’s strategic sustainability goal areas. He also supervises and provides mentorship to the OS’s high-achieving student intern staff.
Patrick’s ten years of career experience in the sustainability field spans both the private and public sectors including time at a Fortune 250 company, a global manufacturer, and at two large public universities. His previous stint as Sustainability Manager at Eastern Kentucky University resulted in the creation of strategic sustainability goals at the University, establishment of a goal for achieving carbon neutrality, and the subsequent development of a climate action and resilience plan. Having founded the Office of Sustainability at EKU, he was tasked with leading the integration of sustainability into the threadwork of university decision-making, culminating with the University earning a STARS Bronze rating after just two years. During this time, he also established several campus and community outreach events and led projects to both improve recycling and energy efficiency. He also managed up to six student employees per semester, and instructed ENV200: The Global Sustainable Future as an adjunct faculty member.
Prior to working at Eastern Kentucky University, Patrick served as a Sustainability Analyst with Legrand, North America at its West Hartford headquarters. While at Legrand, he helped spearhead operations and social sustainability initiatives including a highly successful energy savings competition known as the “Legrand Energy Marathon” and the ”Better Communities” corporate volunteer program.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA, in 2011 and received his Master of Science degree in environmental science and management from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2013.
Email: patrick.mckee@uconn.edu
Phone: (860) 486-9414
Betsy Mortensen – Communication, Outreach, and Education Coordinator
Betsy was hired by the OS in 2022 and serves as UConn’s Sustainability Communications, Outreach, and Education Coordinator. Reporting to the Director, Betsy develops and leads in-person and virtual outreach and engagement events as well as other initiatives for the Office of Sustainability. She is responsible for enhanced visibility of the OS as well as for managing all of its social media, digital, and print communications.
Betsy takes a creative approach to building awareness, engagement and action for the environment. Following an early career stint in wildlife biology surveying songbirds in Connecticut and tracking chimpanzees in Tanzania, she realized that communicating sustainability was her calling (and it involved fewer venomous snake encounters). In 2015 she co-founded nonprofit Sustain Music & Nature, which uses the emotional hook of music and cultural capital of musicians to build support for America's public lands. Betsy and musician co-founder Harrison Goodale (UConn '12) produce award winning music videos in partnership with the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Forest Service. They also run a podcast, Songscapes, which explores Grammy award-winning artists' relationship to music and nature. It's hosted by Charles Coplin, former executive producer of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. While building Sustain, Betsy worked in NYC as an assistant to Simon Roosevelt, great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt. In the Roosevelt tradition, she assisted him with numerous advocacy projects for America's public lands - working with US Senators, non-profit CEOs, and top philanthropists and entrepreneurs. Betsy got her B.S. in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2010 and an M.Phil in Environment, Society and Development from University of Cambridge in the UK in 2011.
Email: betsy.mortensen@uconn.edu
Phone: (860) 486-5446