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.

2946 resources

Ask Me Anything About How to Start an "Ask Me Anything Series

  • University of California, Merced (CA)

In May 2020, the University of California, Merced launched a monthly “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) Series where an expert guest is featured for an hour long session answering attendees’ questions ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Engage Your Campus Community Through Social Media

  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)

Have you ever wondered how to connect to students using social media as a tool to spread awareness of your sustainability initiatives? Are you struggling to grab students’ attention online ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Stay Rad, Post Grad

  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

Are you graduating? Are you panicking? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but it’s just a matter of making it happen. Join the PLAN staff ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Bringing Out the Change-Maker in All of Us

  • City University of New York, Hunter College (NY)
  • PIPS Education Fund (NY)

Can you think of any games that use some form of currency (coins, tokens, etc.) to encourage people to keep playing? Have you ever gotten hooked on such a game ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Networking Session

  • Rice University (TX)
  • Texas A&M University (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 May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Green Bamboo Ceiling - The State of APIs in Higher Education and Sustainability

  • Mount Holyoke College (MA)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
  • Western Washington University (WA)

In sustainability there is a green ceiling that is a challenge to get people of diversity into leadership roles. In addition, if you are Asian Pacific Islander (API), you have ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Alumni & Student Engagement: Building Relationships and Career Pathways

  • Elon University (NC)
  • University of Virginia (VA)
  • Green LMN LLC (NJ)

Now, more than ever, students need support finding professional development opportunities and career pathways. Connecting alumni to students expands opportunities for students to engage in meaningful sustainability work and can ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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Composting: Community Based Solutions to Food Waste & Climate Challenges

  • University of Arizona (AZ)

Food loss and food waste are global challenges; an estimated 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. Food waste is directly related to food insecurity, poverty, and the ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
  • Conference Presentations
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EarthFest 2023

  • Cleveland State University (OH)

EarthFest is an annual event thrown by Cleveland State's Office of Sustainability. The mission of EarthFest is to celebrate Earth Day by engaging students, faculty and staff to create ...


The Working Farms Fund: Partnership to Build a Sustainable Local Food System and Support a Diverse New Generation of Farmers

  • Emory University (GA)
  • The Conservation Fund (GA)

Emory University has partnering with the national non-profit The Conservation Fund (TCF) to support a diverse new generation of farmers in rural Georgia and help build the local food supply ...


Ava Brewer uses student-athletes as sustainability advocates for CMU

  • Central Michigan University (MI)

Central Sustainability coordinator Ava Brewer created a video promoting sustainability at CMU using student-athletes as sustainability advocates. The video will play at football, men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling ...


Central Sustainability, CMU Professor Hope May and Cora di Brazza Foundation lead Peace Flag Raising at CMU

  • Central Michigan University (MI)

On April 21, 2023, Central Sustainability, Central Michigan University Professor Hope May and the Cora di Brazza Foundation collaborated to present CMU’s annual Peace Flag Raising ceremony. This year ...


Creation of a Pollinator Garden at Farmingdale State College

  • State University of New York at Farmingdale (NY)

In the Spring of 2023 Farmingdale State College's Office for Sustainability partnered with the college's Horticulture department to design an on-campus pollinator garden. The site is currently a ...


USC Office of Sustainability tabling

  • University of Southern California (CA)

Staff from the USC Office of Sustainability table at an Earth Month event on campus.


WashU Earth Day Festival

  • Washington University in St. Louis (MO)

WashU School of Medicine held the 2023 Earth Day Festival, which included a free bike tune up for all employees and students, a farmers market, and sustainable vendor showcase. The ...


Earth Day Summit at Franklin University Switzerland

  • Franklin University Switzerland (Ticino)

The Green Office Sustainability Programs at Franklin University Switzerland hosted an Earth Day Summit showcasing multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability. By bringing together a wide diversity of academic and ...


Hope College Students and Holland State Park Beach Cleanup Event

  • Hope College (MI)

Hope College students partnered with local high school student leaders to host their annual (spring and fall) community cleanup event at Holland State Park. Together they collected nearly 102 pounds ...


Enhancing Students’ Environmental Skills Through A Solid Waste Sustainability Hub

  • University of South Alabama (AL)

The objective of this project is to establish a solid waste sustainability hub that promotes environmental stewardship and education by focusing on waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and rethinking. A team ...


Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover

  • Temple University (PA)

Climate in the Classroom: Bell Tower Takeover was a special Earth Month event hosted by the Temple University Office of Sustainability, the Office of the Provost and select student and ...


2023 Iowa State University Earth Day Celebration

  • Iowa State University (IA)

Iowa State University celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day with the theme of, “The Opportunity is NOW! The Urgency is NOW!” This year, more than 400 students, faculty, staff ...


Zero Waste Visioning – Campus Wide Solutions to Zero Waste

  • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CA)
  • University of Arizona (AZ)
  • Williams College (MA)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

In this webinar we will hear from Sustainability Staff at 3 Universities who recently published Strategic Visions for Achieving Zero Waste on their campuses.

Developing a Strategic Vision is a ...

  • Posted May 1, 2023
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Endicott College's Environmental Justice Working Group

  • Endicott College (MA)

The Environmental Justice Working Group at Endicott College was established in 2023 by Sophia Gosselin-Smoske, a student at Endicott College and a Fellow in the Office of Sustainability. The group ...

  • Posted April 27, 2023
  • Case Studies
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Colaboration with Community garden in San Juan District

  • EARTH University

With the support of a resident of the San Juan District in the Union of Cartago, Costa Rica. We have come together to develop a community garden. With the contribution ...

  • Posted April 24, 2023
  • Photographs
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Earth Day Spring Fling at UConn

  • University of Connecticut (CT)

Students at the University of Connecticut hosted their annual Earth Day Spring Fling on April 19, 2023.

  • Posted April 21, 2023
  • Photographs
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2018-22 Progress Report on the Pitt Sustainability Plan

  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)

The University of Pittsburgh’s sustainability journey dates back to 1990, with commitments, activities, and engagement deepening and increasing over the past three decades. In 2018, the Pitt Sustainability Plan ...

  • Posted April 18, 2023
  • Publications
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Adopt-a-Plant sponsored by ArtCenter College of Design Community Food Garden

  • ArtCenter College of Design (CA)

The ArtCenter College of Design Community Garden remained active throughout the Pandemic through the tremendous care of two Photography Department staff. With students, staff, and faculty back on campus, we ...

  • Posted April 18, 2023
  • Photographs
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ReWear It Marquette

  • Marquette University (WI)

Student-led monthly clothing swap organization on Marquette University's campus.

  • Posted April 18, 2023
  • Case Studies
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DEI Legislation Tracker

  • Chronicle of Higher Education (DC)

The Chronicle is tracking legislation that would prohibit colleges from having diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or staff; ban mandatory diversity training; prohibit institutions from using diversity statements in hiring ...


Renewable Energy Trends in Higher Ed: Different Solutions for Different Institutions

  • Brown University (RI)
  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)
  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

Colleges and universities are buying more renewable energy than ever. Their strategies are evolving and increasing, including: onsite, offsite, PPAs, Utility Green Tariffs, Retail Renewables, unbundled RECs, and emerging approaches ...

  • Posted March 23, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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Academic Collaborations that Achieve Sustainable Operations

  • The Ohio State University (OH)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • ENGIE (TX)

This webinar will explore how innovative universities are leveraging comprehensive energy management partnerships to collaborate with private industry, research and deploy new technologies, and meet sustainability goals.

In 2017, The ...

  • Posted Feb. 16, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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Eddy at New Paltz: Centering Racial Equity as we Co-create a Sustainable Culture

  • State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)
  • AASHE (PA)

Sustainability has expanded to include issues of racial equity in a way that also embraces the interdisciplinarity of academic study. This webinar will introduce Eddy at New Paltz, a co-creative ...

  • Posted Feb. 8, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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Bucknell 10-Years Sustainability Plan

  • Bucknell University (PA)

January 18th 2023, President John Bravman formally announced the release of the 10-year Sustainability Plan for Bucknell University. According to President Brvaman,

"Caring for the environment and reducing waste remains ...


Citrus College Educational Development Center

  • Citrus College (CA)

Citrus College was recognized with an excellence in Energy & Sustainability Award for the Educational Development Center modernization project:

"Best innovative project -Medium size District" Award


Introduction to the Regional Center of Expertise as a Model for ESD Integration

  • Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
  • University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • University of Regina (SK)

Universities and colleges around the world are making commitments to advance the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) through their teaching, research, operations, and partnerships. One proven model for making good ...

  • Posted Jan. 19, 2023
  • Videos & Webinars
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Summer REU in Urban Ecology and the Environment (2024 enrollment)

  • City University of New York, Baruch College (NY)
  • The City University of New York (NY)
  • City University of New York, Brooklyn College (NY)

The Brooklyn Urban Ecology and Environment Program (BUEE) is a NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates hosted at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. BUEE supports the training ...

  • Posted Jan. 10, 2023
  • Academic Programs
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Webinar #2: Inner Development Goals: A Three-part Exploration

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • AASHE (PA)

Many of us are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This three-part Community of Practice (Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 13) will allow us to space to explore the ...

  • Posted Dec. 5, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Guidance for the Sustainable Procurement of Laboratory Supplies

  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • AASHE (PA)
  • Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (MA)

Laboratories often represent a “hot spot” within organizations for environmental waste, toxins, and even supply chain labor issues. Until now, comprehensive guidance wasn’t available for purchasers seeking to address ...

  • Posted Dec. 2, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Solving Climate Change Problems: CSUF Presents Energy and Sustainability Summit

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

More than 100 people packed the room at Cal State Fullerton’s first Energy and Sustainability Summit, held Oct. 26.

The summit, sponsored by Edison International, featured three panels of ...


Webinar: An Accessible Roadmap to Healthy Indoor Air Quality

  • University of Georgia (GA)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
  • AASHE Test Campus
  • Healthy Schools Campaign (IL)

Two years ago it was a struggle to generate interest in topics like ventilation and HVAC maintenance, but the COVID pandemic has highlighted just how much the air we breathe ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: #1 Inner Development Goals: A Three-part Exploration

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
  • AASHE (PA)

Many of us are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This three-part Community of Practice (Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 13) will allow us to space to explore the ...

  • Posted Nov. 18, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Pollinators, Pesticides & People: Landscaping Certifications Explained

  • AASHE (PA)
  • The Xerces Society (OR)
  • Re:wild Your Campus (TX)

Interested in sustainability certifications for your campus landscape? We’re here to help! Join Bee Campus USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society, and Rewild Your Campus (formerly Herbicide Free ...

  • Posted Nov. 10, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Webinar: Assessing Sustainability Literacy & Culture: Innovations & Lessons Learned by Multiple Institutions

  • Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ)
  • University of Southern California (CA)
  • Weber State University (UT)
  • Williams College (MA)
  • AASHE (PA)

This interactive panel discussion will feature four presenters from different geographic regions (eastern and western United States) and institutional contexts (private and public, and from small liberal arts colleges to ...

  • Posted Oct. 4, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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University and Community Open Forum

  • University of Illinois Chicago (IL)

This picture is of an event, E2S Climate Hub: Paths toward Sustainable and Just Engagement open forum at Green Era Campus on April 8th with community partners and University of ...


2022 EarthFest at the University of Maryland, College Park

  • University of Maryland, College Park (MD)

Sustainability-minded students at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) hosted an Earth Day festival in 2022. EarthFest 2022 invited student sustainability leaders and volunteers from more than twenty groups ...


Diverse Business Training Showcase hosted by Supplier Diversity Department for WashU buyers (detail)

  • Washington University in St. Louis (MO)

St. Louis Anchor Action Network - The St. Louis Anchor Action Network (STLAAN) comprises organizations committed to reducing inequities through increased employment, health and wealth-building opportunities. The University of Missouri–St ...


Diverse Business Training Showcase hosted by Supplier Diversity Department for WashU buyers (overhead)

  • Washington University in St. Louis (MO)

St. Louis Anchor Action Network - The St. Louis Anchor Action Network (STLAAN) comprises organizations committed to reducing inequities through increased employment, health and wealth-building opportunities. The University of Missouri–St ...


Fullerton Arboretum

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Mission: The mission of Fullerton Arboretum is to support the academic mission of CSUF with a world class living and historical collection and to provide learning opportunities for every stage ...


Mercedes Dorame: Ancestors Leading the Stars ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

RECEPTION | Saturday, September 18, 2021 12:00 – 4:00 PM (Public reception)

Ancestors Leading the Stars - ‘Eyoohiinkem He’uuk Shishyoota is an installation by artist Mercedes Dorame and it explores ...


Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987–2020

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987-2020, at the Begovich Gallery will be the first time this seminal series is shown in its entirety. The exhibition features thirty years ...


Greening Burundi Project launches with support from Cornell Climate Online Fellows

  • Cornell University (NY)

Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze, right, founder of the Greening Burundi Project, enjoys planting a few trees – on his way to a million trees – with a few children in his social network. Niyoyabikoze ...

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