By promoting plant-centered food on your campus, you’re driving a cultural shift toward sustainable and inclusive food services both on and beyond campus.
Join the DefaultVeg Internship Program to champion sustainable food systems while gaining valuable skills and experience.
The DefaultVeg Internship Program is for changemakers (like you!) who want to bring the Plant-Based Food by Default movement to their university. Equipped with essential tools and guidance, ambassadors are empowered to engage positively with university decision makers, dining staff, student clubs, offices, coffee shops, and campus event staff to advocate for adopting plant-based defaults and nudges.
Our approach emphasizes collaboration over confrontation, which is popular because it preserves freedom of choice and works anywhere food is served, from a dorm party to a dining hall. Most importantly, many DefaultVeg Ambassadors have greatly impacted campus food systems.
By encouraging your campus to adopt climate-smart, plant-forward food, you’re promoting a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and inclusive food services both on and off campus.
Sign upThe program provides students with a structured internship to advocate for Plant-Based Food by Default on their campuses. Students of any experience can join, as the process is tailored to individual needs.
DefaultVeg Internship Program offers:
Training & Mentorship: Deepen your understanding through lectures and training with sustainability and food systems experts.
Flexible Custom Program: Tailored and flexible projects to fit your schedule. Ideal for internships, projects, and service work.
We will guide students each step of the way with online training, webinars, research and data, 1-on-1 meetings, and many more resources. In addition, you’ll be able to connect and learn with other students working on similar projects worldwide via our online platform, Circle.
Parker Do worked to bring DefaultVeg to the Bruin Model United Nations conference, making delicious plant-based meals the norm for over 2,000 participants. Meanwhile, Hannah Hughes spearheaded the introduction of an oat milk default policy at Pitzer College, alongside piloting a similar initiative at Pomona College.
Lauren Walcott and Alena Baker made waves at Northwestern University by successfully advocating for DefaultVeg across over 20 student clubs and departments. Their efforts fostered a culture of inclusivity and environmental awareness around food on campus.
Join these inspiring students who create a resilient campus food norm.
Applications are accepted anytime for capstones, grad students, or service-learning programs.
If you’d like to integrate the DefaultVeg Program with your school’s internship program, service learning, or community service requirements, please contact Kenzie at [email protected].
If you’re a professor interested in incorporating our Service Learning Curriculum Module into your course curriculum, please contact Kenzie at [email protected]. Developed by faculty at the University of San Diego Center for Food Systems Transformation, this module is available and updated frequently. The curriculum focuses on supporting students in enhancing their research and critical thinking skills by exploring behavioral science and our food systems.