Sunit Jadhav

• Field and focus area of study:  Natural Resources and the Environment, Environmental Management
• Hometown: Mumbai, India
• Fun fact: I’m a trained Indian classical vocalist, a national-level handball player, and an amateur astronomer. I’ve been a sportsperson for nearly 15 years, worked professionally as a backing vocalist for 8 years, and have been actively involved with Khagol Mandal—an astronomical society based in Mumbai—stargazing and conducting outreach as an amateur astronomer for the popularization of science, physics, and astronomy for the past 10 years.
• Favorite place at Cornell: Lab of Ornithology, Sapsucker Woods
• Interests and hobbies outside of schoolwork: I’m deeply interested in music, handball, astronomy, sketching, painting, bird watching, hiking, and camping.
• View Sunit's LinkedIn Profile

What led you to apply to the CALS MPS program?

Before graduate school, I completed my undergraduate degree in Zoology, after which I interned in the Sustainability Department at UltraTech Cement, one of India’s largest cement manufacturers. My work focused on biodiversity conservation, ESG reporting, GHG accounting, and stakeholder engagement. This experience gave me valuable insight into corporate sustainability from a client-side perspective. However, I wanted to build a deeper, interdisciplinary foundation in natural resources and environmental management. The CALS MPS program stood out for its unique integration of science, policy, and management. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to grow into a more impact-driven role in conservation, environmental planning, and GIS—areas that are essential for any sustainability professional today.

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

In the short term, I aim to work as a sustainability professional in the corporate sector or as a conservationist in an NGO, where I can apply my skills in biodiversity conservation, sustainability reporting, and management to bridge the gap between conservation and business. In the long term, I hope to contribute to building a robust platform for biodiversity reporting and tracking that serves both businesses and communities, while also advancing social equity and inclusivity in environmental decision-making.

What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome in order to participate in the program?

Coming from a lower-income background and being a first-generation student studying abroad, I faced several challenges—financial, academic, and cultural. Securing funding, navigating the visa process, and adjusting to a new academic environment were all significant hurdles. There were moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, but my personal drive, along with the unwavering support of my family, my girlfriend, and a few close peers, helped me persevere. Their belief in me gave me the strength to take this leap, and being here today is a reflection of that collective resilience.

What are the strengths of the CALS MPS degree program?

The CALS MPS program’s greatest strengths are its flexibility, practitioner-oriented curriculum, and access to world-class faculty who bring both academic and real-world experience into the classroom. I particularly valued the opportunity to take courses across departments, which allowed me to shape a multidisciplinary toolkit tailored to my interests in ecology, environmental planning, GIS, sustainability, and management. The program's diverse cohort also enriched my learning through a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Most importantly, the emphasis on real-world application—especially through the capstone project and collaborative group work—made the learning process both practical and deeply engaging. 

What words would you use to describe the CALS MPS degree program?

Interdisciplinary. Applied. Transformative. Supportive. Forward-thinking.

What were some of the most rewarding moments while in your program?

One of the most rewarding moments was working on a case study focused on highway planning in New Jersey for the Planning for Environmental Conservation and Sustainability course, where I served as the coordinator for our interdisciplinary team. It was incredibly fulfilling to see how effectively we collaborated—bringing together diverse perspectives from environmental science, policy, planning, and business to address a complex, real-world issue. Similarly, courses like Applied Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Water Resource Management included hands-on projects and interactive activities that challenged me to think critically and apply my learning in meaningful ways. These experiences made the academic journey both intellectually engaging and personally fulfilling.

What advice would you give to a prospective student in your field of study?

Come in with an open mind and a willingness to explore different disciplines. Take advantage of the flexibility to shape your learning journey, and don’t hesitate to reach out to faculty—they are incredibly approachable. Most importantly, let your values guide your coursework and projects.

How has your MPS experience changed you, both personally and professionally?

Personally, I’ve grown more confident, independent, and self-aware. Living and learning in a new country has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and adapt to new academic and cultural environments. Professionally, the program has broadened my perspective on environmental challenges and deepened my understanding of how interdisciplinary strategies—spanning science, policy, management, and community engagement—can be used to address them. It has expanded the way I think about sustainability and conservation, not just as technical issues, but as deeply interconnected with equity, economics, and long-term resilience.

What do you enjoy most about Ithaca? 

Ithaca’s natural beauty and peaceful pace of life make it a perfect place to focus and reflect. I’ve loved exploring its gorges, hiking trails, and the supportive community here.

What’s a typical day like for you as a Natural Resources MPS student?

A typical day includes classes and independent work on projects or assignments. I usually start with reading or preparing for class discussions, followed by lectures or seminars. I also work part-time as a Student Services Assistant at the CALS-OPPEL office, which provides a nice balance to my academic schedule. Between lectures, I often meet with peers—either to network, seek advice on coursework, or discuss progress on our capstone projects and case studies. I try to maintain a healthy routine by going to the gym, walking around Ithaca, or attending campus events to stay grounded and recharged.

Why are you interested in Environmental Management?

Environmental Management allows me to work at the intersection of science, policy, and people. I’m particularly drawn to how it integrates ecological goals with social equity—especially in regions like India where development and conservation are deeply intertwined. 

How has pursuing an MPS helped your understanding of Environmental Management? The future of Environmental Management?

The MPS program has shown me how complex, yet essential, good environmental management is—from stakeholder engagement to structured decision-making and spatial analysis. I now understand that the future of environmental management requires inclusive, adaptive approaches rooted in both data and lived experiences.

What are the biggest challenges you want to tackle in the world?

I want to address the disconnect between sustainability targets and on-ground implementation—especially in contexts where development projects overlook ecological and social consequences. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that sustainability doesn’t remain a buzzword, but translates into meaningful action that protects ecosystems and empowers communities. I’m particularly concerned about how data gaps, inadequate biodiversity reporting, and the lack of stakeholder inclusion often lead to uninformed decisions. I hope to bridge science, planning, and public engagement to make environmental management more transparent, accountable, and equitable—so that both people and nature can thrive.

What Cornell / Natural Resources MPS resources have been most helpful?

The faculty and their willingness to mentor, the cross-departmental courses, and the access to cutting-edge research and practical tools like GIS have been invaluable. The career support and alumni network have also been very encouraging.

How has learning from faculty experts changed your perspective on Environmental Management?

Learning from faculty who are actively engaged in solving real environmental problems has grounded my understanding in both theory and practice. Their diverse approaches—from ecology and environmental planning to business and management—have broadened my perspective and inspired me to think more strategically about how to tackle complex environmental challenges. These insights have helped me connect scientific understanding with practical, real-world solutions, which is essential for effective and inclusive environmental management.