Diversity & Affordability
Introduction
Higher education opens doors to opportunities that can help create a more equitable world, and those doors must be open through affordable programs accessible to all regardless of race, gender, religion, socio-economic status and other differences. In addition, a diverse student body, faculty, and staff provide rich resources for learning and collaboration.
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Environmental Literacy Differences Based on Gender Identity and Race: A Social Justice Concern
- Indiana State University (IN)
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington (NC)
Environmental literacy can empower students to make positive changes in their environment. Understanding the rates of environmental literacy in college students of color is particularly important because African American, Asian, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Students of colour views on racial equity in environmental sustainability
- Dartmouth College (NH)
- DePaul University (IL)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Racial and ethnic diversity in environmental sustainability advances social equity and innovation, solving social-ecological crises. Yet, Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) remain underrepresented in sustainability fields despite high …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Shifting the approach: greening abolitionist teaching for inclusive sustainability
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
- Goddard College (VT)
In recent years, there has been growing criticism within environmental studies and sciences (ESS) regarding the environmental racism embedded in the institutions that train future environmental professionals and leaders. The …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Citation as representation: gendered academic citation politics persist in environmental studies publications
- Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)
- University of South Florida (FL)
Publication citation impact can be an essential metric in deciding tenure and promotion, but studies have shown that historically women are cited less than men, despite equal or greater output …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Building more epistemically inclusive and environmentally equitable universities
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
Higher educational institutions tend to draw from mainstream approaches to environmentalism that reinforce race, class, and gender hierarchies around who constitutes “an environmentalist” and what activities constitute “environmentalism.” As a …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Racially inclusive climates within degree programs and increasing student of color enrollment: An examination of environmental/sustainability programs.
- University of Virginia (VA)
- Vincent Evaluation Consulting (OK)
Students of color remain severely underrepresented in many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, including environmental fields. Although there is a growing body of research on predictors of selecting …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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A pedagogy for the end of the world: teaching environmental health and justice in a sacrifice zone
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
This article describes pedagogical changes that I have made to my Environmental Justice class at the University of the Pacific in response to increasingly crisis conditions with regard to both …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in environmental studies and sciences by practicing compassionate pedagogies
- Fort Lewis College (CO)
- Franklin & Marshall College (PA)
- McDaniel College (MD)
- University of Nottingham
The imperative to (re)center diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) touches nearly every aspect of higher education today. The multidisciplinary fields of environmental studies and sciences (ESS) are no exception; …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Campus sustainability office representations of the DEIJ-sustainability nexus
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- University of Vermont (VT)
The number of campus sustainability offices in the USA has grown over the past two decades. These offices evolve from myriad origins such as an outgrowth of a facilities department, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Environmental justice teaching in an undergraduate context: examining the intersection of community-engaged, inclusive, and anti-racist pedagogy
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Since the early 1980s, the environmental justice (EJ) movement was critical in drawing much needed attention on how Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and low-income groups have experienced a …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Representation & Access (formerly Social Equity)·
- Cornell University (NY)
Yusef Salaam speaks to students during a roundtable discussion on social justice in the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives
- Posted Aug. 12, 2025
- Photographs
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Dining Services Sustainability Initiatives
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Dining Services at the University of Maryland offers plant-based and local foods in all of the Dining Halls. Much of the produce is grown at Terp Farm, a two acre …
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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Graduates celebrate Cultural Heritage at Commencement Ceremony
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Graduates at the University of Maryland's Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony
- Posted Aug. 4, 2025
- Photographs
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Amherst College - Free Clothing Extravaganza
- Amherst College (MA)
A student holds up a bundle of secondhand clothes they picked out at the Free Clothing Extravaganza, a campus event held just after move-in. The event recirculates over several tons …
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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Amherst College - Free Clothing Pop Up
- Amherst College (MA)
Students enjoy a free clothing pop-up outside the Office of Sustainability, featuring gently used items collected from residence halls. The event promotes textile reuse and helps students find what they …
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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Free Thrift Store
- Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ)
The Student Government Association (SGA) teamed up with the Office of Sustainability to host a FREE Thrift Store on campus. THis was a pop-up event, lasting for two days. Students …
- Posted May 5, 2025
- Photographs
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Biodiversity
- Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Biodiversity
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Photographs
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LGBTQIA+ Meet-Up
- University at Buffalo (NY)
This session is for any individual from the LGBTQIA+ community that wants to connect with others in the AASHE network. It will be a safe space to build relationships and …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Exploring the Intersection of EDIA and Sustainability in HEIs
- University of Toronto (ON)
Environmental issues have a disproportionately negative effect on marginalized communities. Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) is a prevalent topic in environmental studies, and there is a growing interest in …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Building the Pipeline (Not the Fossil Fuel One!)
- Tufts University (MA)
This session is about accelerating and diversifying climate leadership. The sustainability sector often reflects a lack of diversity, with a predominance of white employees, especially in higher-level positions such as …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Community Colleges and Just Transition: The Tribal Stewards Program and Leading With Equity
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WA)
The Tribal Stewards program in Washington Community and Technical Colleges seeks to reconstruct workforce education to support Tribal student success, leadership, and economic mobility. We will explore how we have …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Embracing the Queerness of our Work
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
As the world grapples with climate change, it is essential to recognize that sustainability extends beyond ecological practices. It encompasses diverse identities, including those of LGBTQIA+ students and professionals. Our …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Without Equity - Responding to Anti-DEI Bills
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The three E's of sustainability are the environment, economy, and equity. Over the past year, we have seen dramatic changes in higher education concerning the third E, namely in diversity, …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Equity in Campus Decarbonization: Insights from UC Campus Studies
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- JLL (IL)
- Inclusiv
University of California academic and health campuses are pursuing decarbonization studies to identify how to eliminate 90% of the emissions from fossil fuels on campus. As part of the study …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Shifting the Approach: Greening Abolitionist Teaching for Inclusive Sustainability
- California State University, San Marcos (CA)
In recent years, there has been growing criticism within environmental/sustainability curriculum and within the sustainability field, in general, regarding the implicit racism embedded in the institutions that train future environmental/sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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It's All Connected! Climate Change, Social Justice, Basic Needs Support and Student Leadership
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
- Portland Community College (OR)
Implementing a new student leadership development program during a global pandemic, national uprising due to political and social unrest and climate-fueled fires was challenging, to say the least. However this …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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The HBCU Climate Action Blueprint: Sustainable Campuses, Empowered Communities
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Released at the 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, "The HBCU Climate Action Blueprint: Sustainable Campuses, Empowered Communities" explores the current activities and future aspirations of Historically Black Colleges and …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Design for Vulnerables
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)
- Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Chihuahua (Chihuahua)
Design for “Vulnerables – Technology Challenge” is a project idealized and created in Tecnológico de Monterrey, Chihuahua Campus, it aims to understand how design processes can facilitate the introduction …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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“Up-cycling”: Amherst College’s Tread Shed - Our Campus Spoke Easy
The Tread Shed is a bike co-op on the Amherst College campus that is designed to collect and repair abandoned bikes from around campus and return them to students, staff, …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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University of the Immaculate Conception - Sustainable Education for Culinary Professionals
- University of the Immaculate Conception
Developed by Worldchefs in collaboration with an esteemed panel of culinary experts, educators, and scientists, the Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals curriculum offers a transformative learning experience for chefs and …
- Posted Jan. 22, 2025
- Case Studies
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Revitalizing HBCU campuses: Innovative strategies to address sustainable infrastructure Challenges
- AASHE (MA)
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a vital role in providing accessible and equitable higher education opportunities, particularly for underrepresented minority students. However, many HBCUs face significant challenges in …
- Posted Oct. 22, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Co-Creating the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: A Value Creation Inclusive Learning
- Woxsen University
Abstract The United Nations initiative to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by advocating for a transformative …
- Posted Sept. 10, 2024
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Tufts Cluster Hire for Racial Equity
- Tufts University (MA)
Option to accompany the Tufts cluster hire section in the SCI
- Posted Aug. 27, 2024
- Photographs
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Arizona Center for Environmental Justice
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The University of Arizona launched the WEST Environmental Justice Center. The center focuses on providing groups and organizations free training, resources, and support to tackle environmental or energy justice challenges. …
- Posted Aug. 22, 2024
- Photographs
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Solar partnership supports formerly incarcerated individuals
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The University of Notre Dame has partnered with Crossroads Solar to develop a 1-megawatt solar array. Crossroads provides jobs and life skills to formerly incarcerated individuals as part of a …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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Compass at Cornell Volunteer- Civic Service
- Cornell University (NY)
Courtney Knight, a volunteer with Compass at Cornell, works with students, staff and other volunteers at the George Junior Republic High School (a school specifically designed to educate at-risk children). …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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AFRIK! The Annual Fashion Show- celebration of Black fashion
- Cornell University (NY)
AFRIK! The Annual Fashion Show: The Blueprint. An annual celebration of Black fashion creatives within the Diaspora! Anticipate beautiful clothing, amazing performances, and a beautiful night to remember.
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show
- Cornell University (NY)
Native American Indigenous students at Cornell present Rematriation: The Fashion Show, Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show. Michelle Schenandoah ’99, founder of Rematriation, is a member of the Oneida Nation Wolf …
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show.
- Cornell University (NY)
Student models prepare backstage for “Rematriation: The Fashion Show,” Cornell’s first Indigenous fashion show presented by Native American Indigenous Students at Cornell.
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Haudenosaunee creation story
- Cornell University (NY)
Anna Margaret Davidson's class "The Art and Science of the Mohawk River" meets in Fernow Hall. Chris Rivera ’24 , an environment and sustainability major, created a mosaic that tells …
- Posted July 30, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus Barcelona - MBA Graduation
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - MBA Graduation
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Campus Barcelona - Students of MBA Program
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - Students of MBA Program
- Posted July 29, 2024
- Photographs
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Top Performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)
- University of Toronto Mississauga (ON)
SCI 2024
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Celebrating hosting the SSLS conference
- Bentley University (MA)
This is a photo of Bentley's Office of Sustainability team celebrating the hosting of the Student Sustainability Leadership Symposium a regional student led conference for colleges and universities in the …
- Posted July 25, 2024
- Photographs
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Hiawatha Wampum Belt Flag over the McCall-MacBain Arts Building
- McGill University (QC)
Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag is raised over the McCall-MacBain Arts Building on McGill's downtown campus. The flag is centuries-old symbol that marks unity and peace between the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, …
- Posted July 22, 2024
- Photographs
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San Jose State University
- San Jose State University (CA)
San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to sustainability. SJSU offers a wide range of academic courses and programs on this critical issue as well as …
- Posted July 10, 2024
- Photographs
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Building the Next Generation of Climate Leaders
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
In the summer of 2022, Santa Clara University and Silicon Valley Power, the City of Santa Clara’s municipal electric utility, announced a five-year Silicon Valley Power (SVP) Sustainable Futures Program …
- Posted May 30, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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The HBCU Climate Action Blueprint
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Released at the 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, “The HBCU Climate Action Blueprint: Sustainable Campuses, Empowered Communities” explores the current activities and future aspirations of Historically Black Colleges and …
- Posted March 19, 2024
- Publications
- View more
Ben Jealous Masterclass
- Boston University (MA)
- Sierra Club (DC)
With experience leading social change organizations from the NAACP to the Sierra Club, Benjamin Jealous will make the case that we cannot solve the climate crisis without also tackling racial …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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Empowering Change: HBCUs, PBIs, and Sustainability
- United Negro College Fund (GA)
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking table talk discussion as we delve into the dynamic intersection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and Sustainability. …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- Conference Presentations
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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.
PA 5: Diversity & Equity Coordination
- Description of the institution’s cultural competence, anti-oppression, anti-racism, and/or social inclusion trainings and activities
- Description of the diversity and equity committee, office and/or officer
- Website URL - Diversity & equity coordination
PA 6: Assessing Diversity & Equity
- Description of the diversity and equity assessment process
- Description of recent diversity and equity assessment findings
- Diversity and equity assessment report or summary (upload)
- Website URL - diversity and equity assessment report or summary
- Website URL - Diversity & equity assessment
PA 7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
- Non-discrimination statement
- Discrimination response policy or protocol
- Programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups
- Programs to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups
- Programs to prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members
- Website URL - Support for underrepresented groups
PA 8: Affordability & Access
- Percent of need met, on average, for students who were awarded need-based aid
- Percent of students graduating without student loan debt
- Percent of entering students that are low-income
- Graduation/success-rate for low-income students
- Website URL - Affordability and access programs
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.