ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT YUFEI YAO, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Duke University | North Carolina, United States | Advancing SDG 3 & UNAI 6
" “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall I am thrilled to be a Millennium Fellow because I believe that meaningful change begins at the intersection of policy and grassroots action. Environmental justice isn't just about protecting the planet, it’s about safeguarding people, amplifying marginalized voices, and building systems that empower communities. This fellowship is an opportunity to turn research into impact, collaborate with passionate change makers, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Promoting Healthy Indoor Environments in Duke Dorms
As Millennium Fellows at Duke University, we are addressing an often-overlooked issue: poor indoor air quality in student housing. Many dorms experience inadequate ventilation, mold, or polluted air, affecting students’ health and well-being. Aligned with “SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being” and “SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities”, our initiative aims to raise awareness, and drive institutional change for healthier dorm environments. Through air quality monitoring, student surveys, and partnerships with campus facilities, we will identify key issues and advocate for sustainable solutions, such as non-toxic cleaning products, better airflow systems, and educational campaigns. By empowering students to act and collaborate with the university, Clean Air Dorms project promotes healthier, more equitable, and sustainable living spaces for all.
About the Millennium Fellow
Yufei Yao is a bright and globally minded third-year student majoring in Political Economy with a Public Policy track. She was born in Beijing, China, and is currently studying at Duke Kunshan University, an international platform that emphasizes cross-cultural communication. Influenced by her own experiences of blocking environmental education activities, volunteering, and producing an audio documentary on climate change, Yufei has focused her coursework and research on the intersection of environmental policy, climate governance, and environmental justice. She is particularly interested in how public policy, regulatory design, and community-driven initiatives can jointly advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She is deeply committed to promoting equitable governance, protecting marginalized communities, and facilitating inclusive dialogue on sustainability challenges.
