Get to Know Delicia Nahman

College’s sustainability director brings experience and passion to new role as she leads efforts to reduce—and eventually eliminate—College’s contribution to climate change

The College’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and environmental responsibility appealed to Delicia Nahman, who joined Lafayette as director of sustainability in September. Nahman is working to bring the College’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 (CAP) to life. Nahman led sustainability efforts for Los Angeles Community College District before taking the inaugural sustainability officer role at Lehigh, a position she held for nine years. Here’s a chance to get to know Nahman.

The Green List

Nahman reflects on her influences, guilty pleasures, and personal goals.

Green hero
“My maternal grandmother. She composted, was a stickler for water conservation, loved cooking with fresh food. We always took the bus or walked, and we went to museums and parks, where I gained a sense of community.”

Green moment
“As an undergrad at UC Berkeley I was involved in an UC-wide effort that created a course in which campuses could serve as a living laboratory to test sustainability-oriented solutions. It made me recognize that piloting and scaling sustainability solutions could happen inside and outside the classroom. It was a transformative experience for me.”

Green book
“Recently I’ve read A Finer Future and Doughnut Economics. They give unique perspectives on how to think about sustainability and how non-economists can build an economy that supports a sustainable world.”

Green guilt
“I have not figured out how to stay connected to my family who lives internationally without taking long flights. It’s an internal conflict for me.”

Green goal
“I’d like to pick up composting again in our household. I’d also like to add chickens to the farm where I live. They take time to maintain, but my son loves eggs, and I’d love for him to learn about where eggs come from.”

CAP in Action

Since approving the CAP in 2019, the College has implemented several energy-conservation projects

Kirby Sports Complex was outfitted with energy-efficient LED lights.
Hugel Hall had the face velocity of fume hoods adjusted, and Fisher Hall West’s 100-horsepower pump had a variable frequency drive installed to save energy and reduce operating costs.
College is partnering with Lehigh, Muhlenberg, and Dickinson to purchase off-campus renewable energy. The purchase agreement will help prevent 70,000-plus metric tons of carbon emissions each year.

Looking Ahead

Nahman and her team have big plans for 2020

Solar The College is investigating on-site solar.
Farm equipment Thanks to a donation from an alum, LaFarm is installing a high-tunnel system, which will provide 2,880 square feet of protected growing space.
LaFarm CSA LaFarm will launch a campus-supported agriculture (CSA) program to help student summer research scholars have access to affordable, fresh, locally grown vegetables. Environmental science major Addie King ’21 will manage the CSA.
Collaborations Nahman’s team is working with Landis Center for Community Engagement and Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to create new programming.