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.

3004 resources

Alternative Economies: Libraries of Things, Free Swaps, and Other Sustainable Solutions for Campuses

  • George Mason University (VA)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)
  • Center for Biological Diversity (AZ)

Our endless growth economy has led to rampant overproduction and pressure to constantly consume, driving destructive resource extraction, pollution, and waste and contributing to the climate and extinction crises. With …

  • Posted Dec. 5, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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Climate Action Clinic at UNH: Training Carbon Management Professionals in Collaboration with Community Organizations

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

The Climate Action Clinic is a high-impact learning opportunity that builds off UNH's decades-long role supporting carbon footprinting and climate action by other organizations--leveraging the expertise rooted in UNH’s own …

  • Posted Oct. 24, 2024
  • 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
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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. …


UC San Diego Students Gardening

  • University of California, San Diego (CA)

UC San Diego students spend time gardening in the Warren Garden, one of many campus community gardens used for education and outreach.

Photographer: Erik Jepsen


Restoring Oyster Reefs

  • Georgia Southern University (GA)

Once each year since 2018, students from Georgia Southern University have traveled a couple hours north to assist the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with restoration of oyster reefs …


Game day at Kyle Field Stadium

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Game day in Kyle Field where average attendance is often 100,000. This picture depicts the potential large scale impact that pro-sustainability measures leveraged in athletic spaces can have.


Kyle Field Football Stadium

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Kyle Field view from Aggie Park which encourages campus and community members to spend time outdoors. Aggie Park hosts outdoor learning spaces, venues for community festivals, and an outdoor stage …


Texas A&M Student Athletes volunteering

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Texas A&M Student Athletes volunteering at Habitat for Humanity


Texas A&M Athletics Recycling Bin

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Branded recycling bins in athletic facilities


Recycling containers for football game day experience

  • Texas A&M University (TX)

Recycling containers installed for football game day events outside Kyle Field Gates


How to Make the Most of your Sustainability Event

  • University of British Columbia (BC)
  • AASHE (MA)

This webinar on “How to make the most of your Sustainability Event” will focus on learnings and successes based on a several weeks long Sustainability programme at UNBC that was …

  • Posted Aug. 15, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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Concordia University tree planting event

  • Concordia University

Thanks to the efforts of staff, students and faculty, some 185 new trees were planted on the university grounds in 2019.

The initiative got underway November 5 with the first …


Climate change poster installation at 4TH SPACE

  • Concordia University

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time, and an important priority for the entire Concordia University community.

In keeping with Concordia’s ongoing engagement in sustainability …


Valentine's Day Arts and Crafts with the Concordia University Centre for Creative Reuse

  • Concordia University

The Concordia University Center for Creative Reuse (CUCCR) is dedicated to diverting materials from inside the university’s waste-stream and offering them to the general community free of cost. The 2023 …


Bee-yond Plastic Wraps: Concordia Zero Waste Week

  • Concordia University

Let’s face it, snack containers are bulky and annoying to carry. Concordia University Centre for Creative Reuse (CUCCR), in collaboration with the Dish Project and Concordia's Zero Waste Program, facilitates …


Steminist Movement

  • Cornell University (NY)

The Steminist Movement, a Cornell student organization puts together STEM kits with Wendy Lin from the Community Partnership Funding Board. Fighting the Gender Gap in STEM through Education


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). …


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.


2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)

  • University of Connecticut (CT)

Images for consideration for the SCI publication design.


Aerial View of Bentley's Arena

  • Bentley University (MA)

Bentley's arena is home to Bentley's Divison 1 mens hockey team. The Bentley Arena is the first standalone ice arena in the country to receive LEED Platinum certification, and the …


McGill University Biodiversity Festival 2023

  • McGill University (QC)

McGill’s first Biodiversity Plan was launched in Sept. 2023, with a celebrations held on the downtown and Macdonald campuses, as well as the Gault Nature Reserve. The Biodiversity Festival featured …


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, …


Introduction to STARS

  • AASHE (MA)

This webinar will provide an introduction to STARS and how it can be used to advance sustainability at your institution. From start to submission, we’ll provide an overview of the …

  • Posted July 18, 2024
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UVA Students Enjoying Annual Eco-Fair with Cav Man!

  • University of Virginia (VA)

Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members came out to enjoy UVA's Annual Eco-Fair, held near the Rotunda on Peabody Lawn this year with over 20 groups representing various …


What’s new in STARS 3.0

  • AASHE (MA)

This webinar will provide an overview of the most significant changes between STARS 2.2 and the latest version of the framework, STARS 3.0. These changes include more robust indicators of …

  • Posted July 18, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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Ontario Tech Purchasing Impact Data

  • Ontario Tech University (ON)

Ontario Tech prioritizes sustainable purchasing choices by replacing aging fleet with electric vehicles and sustaining a Fairtrade campus.


Green Skills: Preparing Graduates for a More Sustainable Future

  • AASHE (MA)
  • The Conference Board of Canada

Drawing on our recent research, our session will provide evidence-based recommendations to post-secondary institution leaders and educators on how to meet the surging demand for green skills. Using cutting-edge data …

  • Posted July 15, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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Sustainability Expo at Dickinson College

  • Dickinson College (PA)

Dickinson is proud to bring together students, faculty, staff, and the Carlisle community for our Sustainability Expo each year! This is an interactive event will showcase Dickinson's efforts to remain …


The Hive: Beekeeping at Dickinson

  • Dickinson College (PA)

The Hive engages its members in learning about sustainability problems and solutions through the direct experience of beekeeping, honey production and community building.


An ecosystem roadmap

  • Florida State University (FL)

The collapse of the Apalachicola Bay oyster fishery changed a way of life in the Florida Panhandle. For decades, the bay was renowned for its oyster harvest, an industry that …


Students working at Changemaker Central

  • Arizona State University (AZ)

Gloria Ayala, Khan Nadire, Trey Leveque and Tran Nikki work together in Changemaker Central at the Memorial Union


Earth Month 2024 at Northwestern University

  • Northwestern University (IL)

sustainNU, Northwestern University's Campus Sustainability Program, teamed up with the Block Art Museum for a guided tour of their current exhibition, Actions for Earth: Art, Care & Ecology as part …


Campus Climate Action Toolkit

  • Campus Compact (MA)

A guide to cultivating environmental awareness and climate action on campus and in communities.


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
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Green Practices and Learning Focus of Statewide Higher Education Sustainability Conference

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

More than 170 presenters will discuss best practices in a wide range of sustainable and green projects ranging from construction, lighting and energy during the 15th annual California Higher Education …


Working Toward a Clean Energy Future: CSUF Presents Second Energy and Sustainability Summit

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

As Orange County works toward its climate goals, Cal State Fullerton is committed to advancing clean energy for the future, providing students with hands-on research opportunities and partnering with local …


Community Clean Up on Houbolt Road

  • Joliet Junior College (IL)

Joliet Junior College had a clean up on the road outside of the school. We invited 15 different businesses along the road and had 5 sign up, including a visit …


Romeoville Repair Cafe at Joliet Junior College

  • Joliet Junior College (IL)

Joliet Junior College is a registered international Repair Cafe! We had our first Repair Cafe of the year and our on April 13th, we had our very first one for …


KAUST SDG Highlight Report 2023

  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Makkah)

KAUST proudly presents its latest SDG Highlight Report, offering a snapshot of the institution's targeted efforts and successes over 2023 in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Titan Team Creates Ingenious Ideas for Sustainable House of the Future

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Civil engineering majors Isai Jimenez and Daniel Santa Maria are learning how to build a sustainable house for the future, focus on issues facing Orange County housing and reduce climate …


CSUF Engineering Team Selected for Competition to Build Sustainable Home, Address Issues Facing Orange County Housing

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

To help solve California’s housing needs through sustainable development, a Cal State Fullerton student and faculty engineering team has been selected to participate in the first-ever Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. …


Students of Department of Bioinformatics Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (SBBWUP), Pakistan celebrated Earth Day at campus through plantation and cleanliness campaign.

  • Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University

Female students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar took part in plantation and cleanliness drive at campus under the supervision of Dr. Nosheen Bibi, Assistant Professor, Department of Bioinformatics, …


Students of Department of Food and Nutrition, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (SBBWUP), Pakistan celebrated Earth Day at campus to raise awareness about sustainability for DNGFE activity.

  • Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University

Female students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, showcased importance of environmental conservation and sustainability for encouraging other students, faculty and staff to come together and take action for …


Students of Department of Biochemistry, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (SBBWUP), Pakistan, Gain Insights into Sustainable and Eco-friendly Transportation during BRT System Visit for DNGFE activity.

  • Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University

Female students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (SBBWUP), Pakistan, had the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of urban mobility and sustainable transport initiatives during an informative visit …


Rice University Earth Month Kick-Off Festival 2024

  • Rice University (TX)

Rice University's Office of Sustainability hosted an Earth Month Kick-Off Festival in the Rice Memorial Center. The event featured over 20 campus and community organizations and drew over 150 attendees. …


USC Peace Garden Seed Giveaway

  • University of Southern California (CA)

Student volunteers gather at the USC Peace Garden to harvest and label seeds collected from the garden to give away.

  • Posted April 30, 2024
  • Photographs
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Arts & Climate Collective Festival

  • University of Southern California (CA)

USC students participate in the annual Arts & CLimate Collective Festival during Earth Month.

  • Posted April 29, 2024
  • Photographs
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Walk to the Beach

  • University of South Dakota (SD)

Students, faculty, staff, and community members enjoying a walk to Missouri River on a nice spring day.

  • Posted April 26, 2024
  • Photographs
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Walk To The Beach

  • University of South Dakota (SD)

We have a great place to walk near our magnificent Missouri River. North Alabama Bend is located 2 miles southwest of Vermillion. Few people in the Vermillion area know where …

  • Posted April 25, 2024
  • Photographs
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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