Pennsylvania Fibershed is expanding the program to universities and colleges across Pennsylvania in the coming academic year and is currently seeking student ambassadors and faculty advisors to join the initiative.
The University Ambassador Program was first launched in September 2025 at Drexel and Thomas Jefferson Universities in Philadelphia.
The program connects students with Pennsylvania’s regional fiber community while providing mentorship and education about regional supply chains and circular textile systems, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to lead sustainability initiatives on their campuses.
In its inaugural year, the program engaged 12 student ambassadors across two universities.
To date, ambassadors have already supported the diversion of 992 garments from landfill² and hosted 10 campus events.
“Students are essential to building the future of regional textile systems,” said Leslie Davidson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Pennsylvania Fibershed. “Pennsylvania has a deep history of textile production rooted in community and place-based practices. If we want to revitalize this industry, we need to educate younger generations so they can carry this legacy forward and help rebuild a textile economy that works for both people and the planet.”
The University Ambassador Program arrives at a critical moment for both the fashion industry and communities across Pennsylvania.
Americans throw away an estimated 70–80 pounds of clothing each year, contributing to more than 13 million tons of textile waste sent to U.S. landfills annually.
As the environmental impact of fashion continues to grow, organizations across the country are searching for solutions, including empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders.
According to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, residents discard more than 35,000 tons of clothing and textiles each year, most of which ends up in landfills.
At the same time, the global fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 4–10% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Pennsylvania Fibershed’s University Ambassador Program helps address these challenges by preparing the next generation of leaders to strengthen regional fiber and textile systems.
Through mentorship, hands-on education, and student-led initiatives, ambassadors introduce their peers to practical skills like repair, reuse, and responsible consumption while deepening their understanding of regional textile systems, from farm to fiber to finished garment.
March 27 Webinar
Pennsylvania Fibershed will host an online information session that day for students and faculty interested in learning more. Click Here to register to attend.
How To Apply
Following the success of its first year, Pennsylvania Fibershed plans to expand the program to additional universities and colleges across Pennsylvania in the coming academic year and is currently seeking student ambassadors and faculty advisors to join the initiative.
Applications for the 2026–2027 program open March 27.
Visit Pennsylvania Fibershed’s University Ambassador Program webpage for all the details.
Pennsylvania Fibershed is a nonprofit organization working to build a regional fiber and textile system rooted in regenerative agriculture, local manufacturing, and community connection.
[Posted: March 17, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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