Makayla Mayhew knows exactly what she wants and how to accomplish it – and she’s not wasting any time jumping into action.  

“I want to spread the word about environmentalism and get more people involved in sustainability, regardless of their background,” she said.  

Mayhew is a junior studying environmental sciences at the University of Missouri with plans to go to law school.  

“I decided to major in environmental sciences because I wanted to gain an understanding of the science behind environmental policy,” Mayhew said. “My interest in environmental harm and my passion for law kind of merged into one and became a goal of going into environmental law.” 

She’s also in her second year of serving as president of Sustain Mizzou, the university’s sustainability program.  

“Because it’s a program, and because it’s supported directly by the student sustainability fee that every student pays, it’s able to have really expansive programming,” Mayhew said. 

Sustain Mizzou does beekeeping, gardening, stream and campus clean ups and hosts speakers from the local community.  

“There’s really something for everyone,” Mayhew said. “If they’re interested in getting outside, we also have nature sessions where they can go paint rocks outside, take a hike or remove invasive species.” 

The program also provides student volunteers for local environmental preservation organizations, spreads awareness about recycling, collaborates with local leaders and much more.  

Reduce, re-wear and recycle 

One cause Mayhew is passionate about is Sustain Mizzou’s semesterly clothing swaps. Students can donate their old clothes which are then offered to others completely free of charge. 

“It’s not only sustainable, but also a huge accessibility thing for students on campus who might not be able to otherwise afford to get new clothes,” she said.  

Sustain Mizzou will host its spring clothing swap April 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lowry Mall.  

“It makes me really happy knowing that students will have that opportunity to get clothes when they need them,” she said.  

Mayhew’s drive to bridge the gap between student need and finding clothes doesn’t stop with the clothing swap. She also has a goal of finding permanent space on campus for a free thrift shop.  

“Having a space for that is incredible, where we can give people new clothes,” she said. “We can give clothes a new life.” 

Preserving the present while facing the future 

Mayhew’s devotion to environmental activism doesn’t come without the knowledge she’s gained in the classroom.  

“I’ve taken some really interesting classes that have been really helpful to know how all of these different environmental factors coincide with each other and influence each other,” she said.  

She credits what she knows today and the career path she’s following to the unique curriculum opportunities at Mizzou.  

“The classes I’ve been able to take have given me the science but have also given me the policy,” she said. “They’ve deepened my understanding of how the environment works and how the law works and how they work together.” 

The space Mayhew has carved out for herself on campus – in the classroom and beyond – have given her the skills to be the environmental advocate she is today.  

“The courses that I’ve taken have been really complimentary to the extracurriculars I’m involved in,” she said.  

As she prepares for a bright future ahead of her, no act of environmentalism is too small. Whether it’s facilitating clothing exchanges or cleaning up campus, Mayhew aims to make the local community better for the sake of the those who live in it and love it.