Campus Engagement
Introduction
Engaging in sustainability issues through co-curricular activities allows students to deepen and apply their understandings of sustainability principles. Institution-sponsored co-curricular sustainability offerings, often coordinated by student affairs offices, help integrate sustainability into the campus culture and set a positive tone for the institution. Faculty and staff members’ daily decisions impact an institution’s sustainability performance. Equipping faculty and staff with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to adopt behavior changes that promote sustainability is an essential activity of a sustainable campus.
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Sustainability Student Committee: A Cross-disciplinary Student Hub for Environmental Awareness and Climate Action
- IE University (Instituto de Empresa SL)
The Sustainability Student Committee (SSC) is a student-led, cross-disciplinary initiative that empowers students in climate and environmental awareness, turning concern, confusion, or eco-anxiety into collective, practical climate action. The SSC …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Expanding Environmental Justice Knowledge at Johns Hopkins University
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
For almost two years, I have been working with departments at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Baltimore community members, and external professors to uplift environmental justice efforts and concerns in South …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Think Before You Trash: Implementing Campus Waste Reuse Initiatives at Hood College
- Hood College (MD)
Globally, the average person generates 0.74 kilograms of waste per day, though the spectrum ranges widely from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms (Kaza et al. 2018). The average college student in …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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New2U Thrift Store: A Model for Student-Led Circularity and Campus Resilience
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The New2U Thrift Store is a permanent, student-powered circular economy initiative at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that advances sustainability through year-round reuse, affordability, education, and community development. Launched in …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Changing Student Behavior through a Circular Economy at the University at Michigan
- University of Michigan (MI)
Both the Lending Library and the FreeStore are housed under Student Life Sustainability under Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSL). PBSL empowers students to put their values into action through hands-on, …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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MSU Culinary Services Staff Eco Ambassadors
- Michigan State University (MI)
The Culinary Services Eco Ambassador Program is innovative in its peer-led, workforce-embedded approach. Rather than relying solely on centralized oversight, Eco Ambassadors are front line staff and supervisors who serve …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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JCCC's Sustainability Distinction Program
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Johnson County Community College’s Sustainability Distinction Program (SDP) was launched in spring 2025. This innovative program allows students from all academic disciplines to add a “sustainability” distinction to their transcript. …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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The ASU Eco Reps Program
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Coca-Cola (GA)
The Arizona State University Eco Reps program is an award-winning, peer-to-peer sustainability communication and engagement initiative that transforms how sustainability is understood, discussed, and practiced across Arizona State University. Led …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
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Matador Move Out: A Collaborative, Closed-Loop Donation Program Supporting Students and Zero Waste
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
Matador Move Out is a collaborative donation and reuse program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) that transforms the annual student move-out period into an opportunity for environmental stewardship, equity, …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
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Bin There, Done That: Students Leading UVA’s Waste Shift
- University of Virginia (VA)
The Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZWA) at UVA are a cohort of 20-25 undergraduate students who help sort and expand composting around Grounds. Led by the Waste Minimization Student Employees in …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
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Students Advance Carbon Neutrality at Northern Michigan University: Early Progress, Engagement, and Lessons Learned
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Northern Michigan University is making steady, measurable progress toward carbon neutrality, demonstrating a campus‑wide effort with meaningful environmental and social impact. Two years into implementing its 2050 Carbon Neutrality Plan, …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
- Case Studies
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Building a lab sustainability initiative from the ground up
- University of Rochester (NY)
The Sustainable Labs Initiative (SLI) is grassroots, trainee-led organization at the University of Rochester (UR) that promotes a culture of sustainability within research and clinical laboratories. SLI brings together environmentally …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
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The Thrifty Cat: University of Kentucky's First Campus Free Store
- University of Kentucky (KY)
- Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
As a Natural Resources and Environmental Science student at the University of Kentucky, I joined UK Recycling as a student intern through the Sustainability Internship Program (SIP) my junior year. …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
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Shared Stewardship: Adopt a Spot at UNC Charlotte
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC)
In 2009, the Waste Reduction & Recycling office at UNC Charlotte started a campus Adopt a Spot program. In this volunteer-based, student-focused litter removal program, student organizations can “adopt” an …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
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Transforming Campus Energy Infrastructure from Steam to Low-Carbon Energy at Humber Polytechnic
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Project SWITCH is a campus-wide energy infrastructure transformation at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus that replaced a legacy steam-based heating system with a low-temperature hot water energy network designed to enable …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
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Maize and Blue Cupboard - Fighting Food Insecurity Among Students and the Larger Campus Community
- University of Michigan (MI)
The Maize and Blue Cupboard (MBC) is a student-established, student-run campus pantry at the University of Michigan that offers access to food and other campus resources for students facing food …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
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Catalyzing a New York Climate Solutions Community of Practice
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
In the fall of 2024, 24 faculty and 6 staff participants representing fifteen different academic disciplines and career services and sustainability departments, from eight campuses in the diverse State University …
- Posted Jan. 26, 2026
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Returnable Shelves - Promoting Environmental and Social Benefits via Recyclable Waste Diversion
- University of Michigan (MI)
Michigan Dining launched the Returnable Shelves initiative to cut landfill waste and make it easier to access deposit-eligible bottles and cans. The project involved attaching lightweight shelves to existing landfill …
- Posted Jan. 23, 2026
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Creating a Bird-friendly Aggieland
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Creating a Bird Friendly Aggieland project aims to enhance campus biodiversity by creating a safe envTexas A&M Universityironment for birds while enriching the campus community's understanding of the importance …
- Posted Jan. 23, 2026
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Seed Library in the Georgia Southern Campus Community Garden
- Georgia Southern University (GA)
Placing the Seed Library in the campus Community Garden at Georgia Southern has diverse benefits for economic, social, and environmental sustainability. With a budget of around $700, the project is …
- Posted Jan. 23, 2026
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From Risk to Readiness: Institutionalizing Climate Resilience at McGill University
- McGill University (QC)
In 2024, McGill University released its first climate risk assessment, identifying the risks posed by a changing climate to its campus infrastructure, operations, and community. By providing a comprehensive understanding …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2026
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Navigating High-Integrity Carbon Credits in Higher Education Sustainability Strategies
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Williams College (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- CNaught (CA)
- Calyx Global (CO)
As higher education institutions work toward ambitious climate commitments, many are exploring how carbon credits can responsibly support their broader sustainability strategies. This session brings together experts and practitioners to …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2026
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Prospering Environmental Stewardship at Saint Peter's University
- Saint Peter's University (NJ)
The project includes five sustainability strategies as follows: 1. Campus Kitchen, Food Pantry, Clothes Closet 2. Recycling of University Discards. 3. CURA: (Center for Urban Research in Agriculture) Hydroponics Farm …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2026
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IE Sustainability Townhall: A Participatory Funding Model for Campus Sustainability and Community Impact
- IE University (Instituto de Empresa SL)
The IE Sustainability Townhall is a participatory governance and funding initiative at IE University designed to promote initiatives that strengthen community engagement around sustainability, environmental stewardship, human connection, and the …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2026
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Give 'N Go Bentley's Move-Out Program
- Bentley University (MA)
- Casella (VT)
Give 'N Go is Bentley University’s campuswide sustainable move-out and reuse program that enables students (and the broader Bentley community) to donate usable goods and “swap” items for free during …
- Posted Jan. 15, 2026
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Kennesaw State University (KSU) Food Forest: A Living Learning Lab Advancing High Impact Pedagogy, while Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Food Justice, and Food Security.
- Kennesaw State University (GA)
The Kennesaw State University (KSU) Food Forest is a slightly larger than 1/3-acre permaculture-based edible landscape which is located at the KSU Field Station, formerly a Georgia Department of Transportation …
- Posted Jan. 15, 2026
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Leading Campus Decarbonization Efforts
- Madison Area Technical College (WI)
- Smith College (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Edison International (DC)
Join this free engaging session featuring a dynamic panel of experts from diverse higher education institutions HEIs—spanning private and public, large and small campuses—who are driving innovative decarbonization initiatives. Panelists …
- Posted Jan. 15, 2026
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#AASHE25 Highlights
- AASHE (MA)
Highlights from AASHE 2025
- Posted Dec. 5, 2025
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Updates to the Inflation Reduction Act per the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Deloitte Consulting LLP (TX)
Join the IRA and Resources Discussion community of practice as we welcome Bryant Katta and Travis Gordon from Deloitte to learn how recent updates to the Inflation Reduction Act under …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2025
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Building a Sustainability Staff Ambassador Program From Scratch: Yes, you can do it, too!
- Princeton University (NJ)
- AASHE (MA)
This presentation is a guide for higher education staff to develop a Sustainability Staff Ambassador program at their college or university. A major hurdle most offices of sustainability face is …
- Posted Nov. 19, 2025
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It’s Not Just About Paper Straws: The role of higher education in teaching sustainability across disciplines
- University of Central Florida (FL)
Integrating sustainability into higher education curricula is a trend and a necessity in today’s rapidly changing world. If our role is to prepare our courses to guide students for life …
- Posted Nov. 19, 2025
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The Ecosystem of NGOs Supporting Sustainable Campus Food
- AASHE (MA)
- Better Food Foundation (DC)
The Plant-Based NGO Network is a network of dozens of nonprofits working to shift to a more sustainable food system. Many of these organizations provide services and programs that can …
- Posted Nov. 13, 2025
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Minding the Future | Cal State Fullerton Opens New Center for Sustainability
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Sustainability has many definitions and implications.
At Cal State Fullerton, where a new Center for Sustainability has opened, the term means: “living our lives, conducting business and managing our natural …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2025
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Gen Z Shares Environmental Expectations With Employers
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
The Gianneschi Center for Social Impact in Business at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics brought together a panel of CSUF students to share with potential employers what …
- Posted Oct. 20, 2025
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Bridging the Data Gap: Strengthening Procurement Insights from Small Producers Student Case Competition - Final Round
- University of Michigan (MI)
This is the final round for both undergraduate and graduate students of "Bridging the Data Gap: Strengthening Procurement Insights from Small Producers," a case competition held as part of the …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Bridging the Data Gap: Strengthening Procurement Insights from Small Producers Student Case Competition - Preliminary Rounds
- University of Michigan (MI)
This is the preliminary round of "Bridging the Data Gap: Strengthening Procurement Insights from Small Producers." a case competition held as part of the 2025 Conference on Sustainable Food Procurement …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Telling Your Sustainability Story
- National Association of College and University Food Services (MI)
Every institution has a sustainable story to tell, telling your sustainable story is important as it communicates to your stakeholders your commitments to reduce your emissions. A good story helps …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Webinar: Building the Climate Workforce: University Fellowship Models That Work
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- AASHE (MA)
- Environmental Defense Fund (DC)
- Indiana University
While academic programs provide essential theoretical foundations, students passionate about climate careers need additional hands-on experience to develop the applied skills employers seek. Enter: climate fellowship programs. These programs serve …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
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MGH IHP Career Closet Pop-up
- MGH Institute of Health Professions (MA)
Many health professional students reported the need for business casual clothing, but the cost of these items was prohibitive. The Career Closet Pop-up helps provide students with free professional attire …
- Posted Oct. 8, 2025
- Case Studies
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Sustainability Passport Program: Incentivizing Employee Engagement
- University of Virginia (VA)
- AASHE (MA)
This session will delve into the developmental process and key insights gained from launching the UVA Sustainability Passport, a rewards and recognition program for employees. Designed to guide and incentivize …
- Posted Oct. 2, 2025
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Webinar: Create Your Own Climate Change Quilt
- Binghamton University (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
Are you frustrated with the lack of attention being given to climate change? Make your voices heard by participating in the Climate Change Quilt project. Join Binghamton University and the …
- Posted Sept. 15, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Building sustainable smart cities on the hopes of tech-savvy students
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Abstract This paper outlines a comprehensive idea to transform urban areas into smart learning cities, leveraging innovative technologies to enhance education, innovation, and lifelong learning for all. Our research, based …
- Posted Sept. 9, 2025
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New Insights on Student Attitudes towards Sustainability in College Life
- None
Veritrove surveyed 200 respondents, ages 16-24, from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland on sustainability, and college life. A key finding from the survey is that 30% of …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2025
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Webinar: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Collegiate Sports: The Collegiate Sports Sustainability Network
- Duke University (NC)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- AASHE (MA)
Explore the Collegiate Sports Sustainability Network (CSSN), a new national community bringing together athletics and sustainability professionals, faculty and students to accelerate sustainability in collegiate sports. This webinar will provide …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Beyond the Right Thing to Do: The Value of Sustainability in Higher Education (2nd Edition)
- AASHE (MA)
This document aims to help higher education sustainability practitioners more powerfully articulate the value of sustainability to higher education leaders as well as the general public. As different points will …
- Posted Aug. 26, 2025
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Duke University Sustainable Infrastructure
- Duke University (NC)
Duke University Carbon Neutrality Journey
2025 SCI
- Posted Aug. 25, 2025
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Planting a mini forest
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College student, Anna, carrying out species identification in the Miyawaki forest. In partnership with Hamilton’s Green Venture, Mohawk College’s Sustainability Green Team helped to plant 300 native trees and …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
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Earth Day Planting
- Mohawk College (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
Over 40 student volunteers came together to celebrate Earth Day by planting out a new bioswale at Mohawk College’s Fennell campus. The group planted nearly 500 native grasses and wildflowers …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
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Native plant bioswale
- Mohawk College (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
Mohawk College received a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada Go Wild Grant to create a bioswale (a long, sloped channel filled with vegetation to filter and slow rainwater runoff) in …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
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Basic Needs, Sustainability & Leadership
- Portland Community College (OR)
The Basic Needs, Sustainability & Leadership (BNSL) program at Portland Community College provides opportunities to advance the interconnected issues of basic needs support (including food and housing security, transportation access, …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
EN 1: Student Educators Program
- Percent of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program
- Description of the student educators program (1st program)
- Description of the student educators program (2nd program)
- Brief description of the student educators program (3rd program)
- Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per students served
- Website URL - Student sustainability educators programs
EN 2: Student Orientation
- Percent of entering students that have an opportunity to participate in sustainability-inclusive orientation activities and programming
- Description of how sustainability is included prominently in new student orientation
- Website URL - Information about sustainability in student orientation
EN 3: Student Life
- Description of the active student groups focused on sustainability
- Description of student gardens, farms, CSAs, fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects
- Description of the student-run enterprises
- Description of student sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives
- Description of sustainability-focused conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events for students
- Description of sustainability-focused cultural arts events, installations, or performances
- Description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles
- Description of sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences
- Description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills
- Description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution
- Description of graduation pledge(s)
- Description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives
EN 4: Student Life
- Website URL - Central sustainability website
- Description of sustainability newsletter or social media platform(s)
- Description of the signage that highlights campus sustainability features
- Description of the sustainability walking map or tour
- Description of the guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience
- Description of other comprehensive sustainability outreach materials and publications
EN 5: Student Life
- Description of the first sustainability outreach campaign
- Description of the second sustainability outreach campaign
- Description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns
EN 6: Assessing Sustainability Culture
- Description of how and when the cultural assessment(s) were developed and/or adopted
- Copy or sample of the questions related to sustainability culture (upload)
- Copy or sample of the questions related to sustainability culture (description)
- Website URL - Assessment of sustainability culture
EN 7: Employee Educators Program
- Percent of employees served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program
- Description of the employee educators program (1st program)
- Description of the employee educators program (2nd program)
- Hours worked annually by trained employee sustainability educators per employees served
- Website URL - Employee sustainability educators programs
EN 8: Employee Orientation
- Percent of new employees that have an opportunity to participate in sustainability-inclusive orientation activities and programming
- Description of how sustainability is included prominently in new employee orientation
- Website URL - Information about sustainability in employee orientation
EN 9: Staff Professional Development & Training
- Estimated percentage of regular, non-academic staff that participates annually in sustainability professional development and training
- Description of any internal sustainability professional development and training opportunities
- Description of any external professional development and training opportunities in sustainability that are supported by the institution
- Estimated percentage of staff for which sustainability is included in performance reviews
- Description of how sustainability is included in staff performance reviews
- Website URL - Information about staff professional development and training in sustainability
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.