Public Engagement

Introduction

Engagement in community problem-solving is fundamental to sustainability. By engaging with community members and organizations in the governmental, non-profit and for-profit sectors, institutions can help solve sustainability challenges. Community engagement can help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understandings of practical, real-world problems and the process of creating solutions.

2945 resources

Certifying High-Performing and Sustainable Parking Structures on Campus: A Parksmart Workshop

  • AASHE (PA)
  • International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) (VA)

Parksmart is the world’s only certification program that defines, measures, and recognizes high-performing, sustainable garages. Developed by industry experts, Parksmart offers a roadmap for new and existing parking facilities ...

  • Posted March 13, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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COP28 Dubai Climate Conference - Delegation Organizers or Members

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

Meet and learn about the plans and interests of other faculty, academic staff or students who are organizing or participating in University or other delegations to the Climate Conference known ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Sustainability is a Home Run

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Athletic Departments are the front porch of the university. This visibility provides opportunities for storytelling, demonstrating impact, and engagement. Although it may not be the most important department, it is ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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AASHE Member Meeting

  • AASHE (PA)

This is AASHE's annual member meeting where you can hear from AASHE leadership on highlights of the year, plans for the future, and ask questions of the board and ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Designing Effective Sustainability Communications in Higher Education

  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)

In pursuit of increasing the effectiveness of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) communications efforts surrounding sustainability, UNL’s Office of Sustainability (OS) and University Communications department collaborated to develop ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Campus Decarbonization Masterclass Panel - Featuring Leah Bamberger, Dennis Carlberg, & Dano Weisbord

  • Boston University (MA)
  • Dartmouth College (NH)
  • Northeastern University (MA)
  • Tufts University (MA)

Panelists from 3 Boston-area institutions will swap stories and share lessons learned from their institution’s efforts to decarbonize and strengthen community resilience to climate change. This panel will feature ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Washington Oregon Cascadia Higher Education Sustainability Consortium (WOHESC) Networking Session

  • Portland State University (OR)

This session will be for higher ed sustainability professionals, faculty, students and sustainability professionals from the Washington Oregon and Cascadia region to gather, report our successes, share our perspectives, problem ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Networking Session

  • Texas A&M University (TX)
  • The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)

This is a networking meeting for Texans and other parties interested in the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) to connect and discuss campus sustainability topics unique to the ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Sustainability, y'all! Southeastern Schools Meet Up

  • Duke University (NC)
  • Kennesaw State University (GA)
  • University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • University of Kentucky (KY)

Do you attend or represent a college or university in the southeastern US? Do you want to connect with folks from other schools from this distinctive part of the continent ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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NY Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education Meet-Up

  • University at Albany (NY)

The New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE) seeks to provide peer support, resources and networking opportunities for those working on sustainability in campuses in NY state. This ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Meet-Up

  • Tufts University (MA)

The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium support sustainability officers in advancing education about and demonstration of sustainable systems on university campuses in the northeast United States and Canadian maritime region by ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Networking Meeting for Californians

  • California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)

Come join with other campus sustainability advocates from California. This is a chance to catch up with peers and discuss topics specific to the California context.

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Mountain West Higher Ed Sustainability Networking

  • Colorado State University (CO)

For all the higher ed sustainability professionals in the Mountain West, including AZ, CO, NM, UT, NV, WY, MT, ID. This is an opportunity for us to connect & meet ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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In the Upper Midwest? Meet your regional colleagues and learn about the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability

  • University of South Dakota (SD)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
  • Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (MN)

Are you a sustainability leader (student, staff, faculty or community partner) in the Upper Midwest? Join us for an informal and interactive networking session hosted by the Upper Midwest Association ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Zero Waste Campuses

  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

This is a meetup for all students, staff, companies, and professionals that are working on campus Zero Waste efforts. Whether you're helping your campus achieve Zero Waste goals, or ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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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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Green Lab Networking

  • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) (IN)
  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)
  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

Working to make campus lab operations more sustainable and “green” offers a huge opportunity to reduce energy use and waste while also providing education and hands on sustainability skills to ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Community College Networking Meeting

  • Johnson County Community College (KS)

This session will allow community college sustainability professionals to catch up, share successes, brainstorm solutions to mutual concerns, and commiserate about frustrations.

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Climate Leadership Network Networking Meeting

  • Second Nature (MA)

Attendees representing campuses that have signed the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments and those interested in learning about the Climate Leadership Network will hear from Second Nature staff about recent accomplishments ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Networking Session for Canadian Institutions

  • Dalhousie University (NS)

Campus sustainability is a strategic priority for many of Canada’s 436 universities and colleges. As higher education institutions across Canada continue their efforts, the need for mechanisms to exchange ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Mentorship in Higher Education Sustainability

  • Emerson College (MA)

Sustainability Offices are typically small and operate in unique and sometimes challenging organizational structures, leaving staff feeling isolated while managing huge organizational change efforts. Sustainability staff from American University and ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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International Networking Session

  • AASHE (PA)

Join this session to network with attendees from outside of the US and Canada, learn about AASHE's work with campuses around the world, and the variety of global organizations ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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A Unique College and Community Mentorship Model

  • Northern Arizona University (AZ)
  • Dallas College (TX)

The AASHE Mentorship Program is a great program for connecting aspiring sustainability student mentees with inspiring higher education sustainability professionals. But what if it could grow into something larger and ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Coolfoodies and Friends Meetup

  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)
  • Williams College (MA)
  • World Resources Institute (DC)

Join Coolfood Pledge members Brandeis University, University of Pittsburgh, and Williams College for a group discussion and networking hour following the “Implementing Coolfood at Three Universities” session. Chat with Coolfood ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Advancing Sustainability Initiatives Beyond Campus to Communities

  • Vanderbilt University (TN)
  • Clearloop (TN)
  • Panola Partnership (MS)

As more higher education institutions seek to reduce their carbon footprints and implement sustainability goals, a new partnership between Clearloop and Vanderbilt University showcases climate and community leadership in action ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Blueprint for Clean Water: A University and Conservation Partnership

  • Messiah University (PA)

Colleges and Universities in the United States are large asset holders, be it endowments, buildings, or land. Based on AASHE data from just 295 Universities in the United States, land ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Leveraging Social Media to Advance Sustainability

  • College of Charleston (SC)

Social media is one of the best ways to engage people with sustainability. It can be a great resource, but also a great challenge. How do you know if you ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Building Support Through Community Collaboration

  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)

Public engagement and community collaborations are critical in creating sustainable campuses and communities. This session will share how the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a public university, is finding success through ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Engaging and Empowering Students With Climate Justice Programming

  • Northeastern University (MA)
  • Tufts University (MA)
  • University of Colorado Boulder (CO)

Climate change is no longer about just reducing emissions or asking individuals to change their behaviors. It is about people and ensuring the voices and lives of those who have ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Join the Team-Collegiate Sports Sustainability Networking Session

  • Duke University (NC)
  • Texas A&M University (TX)
  • University of Colorado Boulder (CO)

Athletics is often considered to be the ‘front porch’ of many of our institutions. A sporting event can be the first interaction people have with the institution and often, not ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Early Career Sustainability Professionals Support and Networking

  • California State University, San Marcos (CA)
  • Endicott College (MA)
  • Tufts University (MA)

As new professionals continue to move into the field of sustainability, and as this is the first in-person AASHE Conference held in the last 3 years, it is important to ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Developing Campus-Community Sustainability Internship Programs

  • University of Florida (FL)

Creating connections between college campuses, community organizations, and businesses is vital for strengthening networks and developing sustainability projects that benefit people and planet. The Active Learning Program provides University of ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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SustainEDU: Empowering Ecuador's Campuses for a Greener Tomorrow

  • Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Pichincha)

This session will contribute to HEIs and campus sustainability professionals in settings where formal sustainability planning and institutional frameworks are nascent, providing insights on how to foster sustainability networking, leverage ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum Masterclass

  • Georgetown University (DC)
  • Spelman College (GA)

Drawing from her experiences as president of Spelman College and Mount Holyoke College as well as her research on race and education, Dr. Tatum will speak about the opportunities for ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Hot Topic: Heat Waves & Cool Campuses Planning for Climate-Resilient Communities

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
  • University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
  • Yale University (CT)

Join this session to network with colleagues from around the country and discuss ways we can effectively prepare for heat in this changing climate. As temperatures rise, schools in the ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Student Leaders Symposium Meet Up

  • Bentley University (MA)
  • Boston University (MA)
  • Tufts University (MA)

Take some time to connect or reconnect with sustainability student leaders across various colleges and universities. Hosted by three board members for the Annual Sustainability Student Leaders Symposium, this networking ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Navigating Successful Co-Production of Campus-as-Lab Initiatives

  • Princeton University (NJ)
  • University of Calgary (AB)

Universities and colleges are critical sources of knowledge and learning, but have often been siloed from and inaccessible to other communities and industries (and other forms of knowledge). Academic work ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Sustainability Curriculum Integration Discussion

  • Santa Clara University (CA)
  • Western Washington University (WA)

How do we integrate sustainability into the curriculum? What are the best practices for teaching sustainability? How are the key competencies for sustainability assessed? This networking session is for those ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Building Climate Resilience and Centering Equity: Case Studies from the University of California

  • Stanford University (CA)
  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • University of California, San Diego (CA)
  • Introba

Equity-Centered climate-resilient planning is a vital component of responding to the challenges posed by a changing climate. The University of California (UC) system has taken a proactive approach to developing ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Climate Planning in Higher Education: From Action to Justice

  • Northeastern University (MA)
  • One Square World

In this session, you will learn about Northeastern’s unique and bold approach to centering justice and equity in its forthcoming climate justice action plan. You’ll also experience a ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Climate Action Simulation: How Will You Solve the Climate Crisis

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

The highly interactive, team-based Climate Action Simulation will immerse participants for two full hours. The Climate Action Simulation enables people to gain insights into the factors that affect climate change ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Fostering Collaborative Action to Meet Voluntary and Regulatory Climate Goals

  • Harvard University (MA)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
  • Tufts University (MA)
  • PowerOptions, Inc (MA)

The Cities of Cambridge and Boston have recently passed some of the most advanced building-level climate action targets in the country. This field report-style panel will discuss and explore the ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Strategic Planning for Equitable Climate Mitigation

  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
  • Robert Morris University (PA) (PA)
  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)

As a group of colleges and universities dedicated to reducing their individual and collective climate impacts, the Higher Education Climate Consortium of Pittsburgh (HECC) has been convening for 15 years ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Just Purchasing Consortium: Networking and Mutual Education

  • Georgetown University (DC)

Poultry processing is hazardous, horrific work. Processing lines move very fast, with some plants operating at a maximum speed of 175 birds per minute, and the working conditions are challenging ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Out of The Box Sustainability: Green Education Support for Title I Schools

  • Maryville College (TN)

How can underrepresented students, in under-resourced schools in economically distressed communities be supported with their sustainability education efforts? The answer might be found in a box. Classrooms in a Box ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
  • Conference Presentations
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Ground Truths: Community-Engaged Research for Environmental Justice

  • Occidental College (CA)
  • Santa Clara University (CA)

This open-access book is the first volume devoted entirely to summarizing the body of community-engaged research on environmental justice, how we can conduct more of it, and how we can ...

  • Posted Feb. 13, 2024
  • Publications
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Community Planning (MCP)

  • Auburn University (AL)

The community planning program is concerned with the use of land, protection of the environment, public welfare, the design of public spaces and infrastructure, and the economy.

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
  • Academic Programs
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Teaching social business to Thai students: A case of LGBTIQ+ social business

  • Mahidol University (Bangkok)

This paper examined the learning experiences of a group of undergraduate business students from a Thai business school in a social business course. The key point to examine in this ...

  • Posted Nov. 20, 2023
  • Publications
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Building the Equity Loop: From Campus Move Out to Community Action

  • Lafayette College (PA)
  • AASHE (PA)

As outlined in the Climate Action Plan, Lafayette is committed to achieving a 40% diversion of waste to landfill by 2030 and a 60% diversion rate by 2035. Green Move ...

  • Posted Oct. 26, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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The Why and How Behind Aligning Your Institution’s Values With its Food Purchases

  • Emory University (GA)
  • Spelman College (GA)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • Bon Appétit Management Company
  • The Common Market

What is the impact of your purchases? Is your food service program taking steps to align its values—local sourcing, equity and diversity, climate, health, and beyond—with its purchases ...

  • Posted Oct. 19, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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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 10: Community Partnerships

EN 11: Inter-campus Collaboration

EN 12: Continuing Education

EN 13: Community Service

EN 14: Participation in Public Policy

EN 15: Trademark Licensing

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Public Engagement Partners