Catching
Rays
From student leaders to sustainability advocates, three alumni are helping power the place that once powered their ambitions.
By Samus Haddad
Not long ago, Jack Johannesson BS ’19 (right), Mark Anderson Marion BA ’22 (left) and Andrea Sanchez Gutierrez BA ’23 (front) were walking UIC’s campus as students. Today, their efforts are helping power it.
Now colleagues at Windfree Solar, these alumni played key roles in bringing a rooftop solar installation to Taft Hall, helping advance UIC’s sustainability goals while demonstrating the impact its graduates are making in one of Illinois’ fastest-growing industries.
As Director of Sales & Business Development at Windfree, Johannesson credits his involvement in student government for building confidence in his leadership skills. For him, managing a $115,000 budget for student activities and clubs as treasurer was empowering. “It taught me to be a decision maker,” Johannesson said.
The relationships formed through student government would prove just as valuable as the leadership experience. Johannesson met Marion through the organization’s treasury committee and later helped both Marion and Sanchez Gutierrez find opportunities at Windfree Solar. Though none of the three initially envisioned careers in renewable energy, each found ways to apply lessons learned at UIC to a rapidly growing industry.
A finance graduate, Johannesson said UIC’s Energy Finance course helped prepare him for his work at Windfree Solar. He frequently draws on lessons from the class when explaining the long-term value of solar projects to clients. “These are complex projects,” he said. “In my proposals, I’m translating the future benefit of the project in today’s terms.”
Both political science majors, Marion and Sanchez Gutierrez said student government and UIC’s urban-centered education helped them develop the communication and relationship-building skills they rely on today. “It’s not just what you say, but how you deliver the information,” said Marion, whose work often involves coordinating with public agencies, utilities and contractors. “You need to know how to speak their language.”
As Windfree Solar’s lone Spanish speaker, Sanchez Gutierrez serves as a green energy ambassador to Chicago communities. She helps Spanish-speaking residents and community organizations navigate the solar adoption process, addressing concerns and building trust around renewable energy solutions.
Their work extends beyond a single rooftop installation. As Illinois accelerates its transition toward clean energy, the alumni see projects like Taft Hall as part of a broader effort to expand renewable energy across the state.
With the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, Illinois has an ambitious goal of becoming 100% carbon-free by 2050. Marion shared his pride in contributing to that mission in solar installations like Taft Hall. “Projects like this at UIC can show other campuses that this is a model that can work,” Marion said.
“Solar power is the cheapest way to add energy to the grid,” Johannesson added. With energy demands on the rise, he believes that solar power is the future. “Like a first domino falling, you complete one campus project and things go smoothly. It paves the way for more campuses.”
Just a few years after graduating, all three alumni are helping shape the future of a campus that helped shape theirs. “I think it’s really exciting to know we have this connection with UIC,” Sanchez Gutierrez said. “Even after you graduate, you can still make an impact.”
Want to support student-led sustainability projects at UIC?
Make a donation to the Sustainability Fund.
From student leaders to sustainability advocates, three alumni are helping power the place that once powered their ambitions.
By Samus Haddad
Rays
Catching
Not long ago, Jack Johannesson BS ’19 (right), Mark Anderson Marion BA ’22 (left) and Andrea Sanchez Gutierrez BA ’23 (front) were walking UIC’s campus as students. Today, their efforts are helping power it.
Now colleagues at Windfree Solar, these alumni played key roles in bringing a rooftop solar installation to Taft Hall, helping advance UIC’s sustainability goals while demonstrating the impact its graduates are making in one of Illinois’ fastest-growing industries.
As Director of Sales & Business Development at Windfree, Johannesson credits his involvement in student government for building confidence in his leadership skills. For him, managing a $115,000 budget for student activities and clubs as treasurer was empowering. “It taught me to be a decision maker,” Johannesson said.
The relationships formed through student government would prove just as valuable as the leadership experience. Johannesson met Marion through the organization’s treasury committee and later helped both Marion and Sanchez Gutierrez find opportunities at Windfree Solar. Though none of the three initially envisioned careers in renewable energy, each found ways to apply lessons learned at UIC to a rapidly growing industry.
A finance graduate, Johannesson said UIC’s Energy Finance course helped prepare him for his work at Windfree Solar. He frequently draws on lessons from the class when explaining the long-term value of solar projects to clients. “These are complex projects,” he said. “In my proposals, I’m translating the future benefit of the project in today’s terms.”
Both political science majors, Marion and Sanchez Gutierrez said student government and UIC’s urban-centered education helped them develop the communication and relationship-building skills they rely on today. “It’s not just what you say, but how you deliver the information,” said Marion, whose work often involves coordinating with public agencies, utilities and contractors. “You need to know how to speak their language.”
As Windfree Solar’s lone Spanish speaker, Sanchez Gutierrez serves as a green energy ambassador to Chicago communities. She helps Spanish-speaking residents and community organizations navigate the solar adoption process, addressing concerns and building trust around renewable energy solutions.
Their work extends beyond a single rooftop installation. As Illinois accelerates its transition toward clean energy, the alumni see projects like Taft Hall as part of a broader effort to expand renewable energy across the state.
With the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, Illinois has an ambitious goal of becoming 100% carbon-free by 2050. Marion shared his pride in contributing to that mission in solar installations like Taft Hall. “Projects like this at UIC can show other campuses that this is a model that can work,” Marion said.
“Solar power is the cheapest way to add energy to the grid,” Johannesson added. With energy demands on the rise, he believes that solar power is the future. “Like a first domino falling, you complete one campus project and things go smoothly. It paves the way for more campuses.”
Just a few years after graduating, all three alumni are helping shape the future of a campus that helped shape theirs. “I think it’s really exciting to know we have this connection with UIC,” Sanchez Gutierrez said. “Even after you graduate, you can still make an impact.”
Want to support student-led sustainability projects at UIC?
Make a donation to the Sustainability Fund.
