Greenfield-Central High School Class of 1975
Three years out of high school Susan Schultz was a Bank Manager for Hancock Bank and Trust and had the distinction of being the youngest bank manager in Indiana. Susan recalls her 5th grade teacher noting on her report card, “Susan is a good student, but always thinking of other things to do.” That has held true throughout her life and is part of Susan’s creativity. For example, shortly after her banking milestone, Susan diverged into an environmental focus in 1979.
Getting involved in conservation/environmental education seemed a natural path for Susan. She grew up as a 10 year 4-H member enjoying a variety of projects such as forestry, wildlife and showing swine. She loved to be outside. She says, “Each area of my life has led me on a path to the next opportunity. I collected knowledge, connections and appreciation throughout each career or volunteer position.” That path took her to jobs she could never have imagined.
It began with her position as District Coordinator for the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, where recognitions started to come in such as the Indiana District of the Year. It then blossomed into being an Environmental Education Facilitator for Greenfield-Central schools where her outdoor classrooms led to the first Indiana Youth Environment Summit at Eden Elementary plus additional awards and a variety of programs for the schools. Becoming the State Coordinator for Indiana Project WET followed. In that position she traveled around the state, nationally and internationally showcasing the program and new project ideas. Japan modeled their program after Indiana’s. Outreach Coordinator for Shelby County Soil & Water Conservation & Solid Waste Management District came next. Finally her dream job was offered as the Education and Stewardship Specialist and Marketplace Manager for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). She says, “I seemed to be in the right place at the right time, whether they found me or I found them along the path.”
In her position with the NACD, Susan traveled the nation, developed exhibits, education outreach materials that reached over 1 million individuals each year and provided a connection with various agencies to work together on projects. She worked with the Smithsonian Natural History staff; Project Learning Tree; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; EPA; USDA-NRCS; Soil Science Society of America and others. She also sat on several of their education and outreach committees for many years. After 10 years, Susan retired in 2018. Susan has developed innovative education approaches that are used across the nation. She has provided training to thousands of teachers and students. Many have benefitted from her impact and energy. Along the way as she embraced her passion – advocating for and educating about the environment and conservation, Susan has accumulated a number of awards and accomplishments.
Susan is a lifetime member of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana, serving as president and vice president, and has been a member of the North American Association for Environmental Education and the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America. Her work with teachers and volunteers won the Outdoor Lab of the Year from the Indiana Tree Farm and National Take Pride in America program. The G-C Hearts program under her direction won the National Energy Education Development projects. Susan also earned the President’s Award from the Environmental Education Association of Indiana in 1995; was an Indianapolis Power & Light Professional of the Year finalist in 1997 and their award winner in 2002.
Susan did not forget where she initially discovered her love of nature and its conservation. She also notes that, “Having community minded teachers taught me to be community minded.” She is an active community volunteer, and spent 21 years as a 4-H leader and then project superintendent. Currently she is a member of the Hancock County 4-H Agricultural Association board. Susan and her husband, Tim, have two children, Erika and Adam, and four grandchildren.
Well done, Susan!