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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
AASHE Celebrates Campus Sustainability!
- Harvard University (MA)
- Portland State University (OR)
- Stanford University (CA)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) invited several distinguished higher education sustainability professionals to share their thoughts on where sustainability has been and where it …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Dr. David Orr Presents AASHE 2015 Monday Keynote Address
- Oberlin College (OH)
- AASHE (MA)
Dr. David Orr, Oberlin 2020 Project founder and Senior Adviser to the President at Oberlin College, spoke on the AASHE 2015 conference theme, Transforming Sustainability Education.
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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Brave New Workshop Presents an AASHE 2015 Keynote Address
- AASHE (MA)
Margi Simmons and Elena Imaretska with Brave New Workshop, shared tips and tactics to help arm the higher education community to better advance sustainability efforts.
Brave New Workshop, based in …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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A Guide to Climate Resiliency & The Community College
- American Association of Community Colleges (DC)
Too many municipalities are crafting climate adaption and resiliency plans without community colleges as partners. Yet, community colleges are positioned to be powerful partners in implementing a holistic local response …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Publications
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Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship
- Wesleyan University (CT)
The PCSE supports students and alumni interested in creating and sustaining programs, businesses, and organizations that advance the public good. It offers workshops and trainings, specialized counseling and networking services, …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Campus Sustainability: The Next 10 Years
- Emory University (GA)
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- Western Michigan University (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
Enjoy this plenary session that examines institutional sustainability advancements of both where we've been and we we are going.
Speakers include:
Julia Newman, Massacusetts Institute of Technology
Harold Glasser, Executive …
- Posted March 3, 2016
- Videos & Webinars
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A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy’s Future
- Association of American Colleges and Universities (DC)
This report from the National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement calls on the nation to reclaim higher education’s civic mission. Commissioned by the Department of Education and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Publications
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Using Creative Commons Licensing for Conference Presentations and Handouts
- Central Community College (NE)
Receiving materials at a conference for use in the classroom or elsewhere is a wonderful gift! The exchange of intellectual property is a fantastic way to share what works with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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POWER Careers in Sustainability: Inviting the Next Generation to be Agents of Change
- University of Virginia (VA)
Interest in sustainability in government, industry, and higher education has led to a rapid expansion of employment opportunities for sustainability professionals. Yet many young people, who may be considering their …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting Sustainability with Design and Construction: The Project Managers Professional Development Program
- Ohio University (OH)
The Office of Sustainability at Ohio University realized there was a disconnect between our office and others on campus that play direct roles in the sustainability of the institution. In …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Solve, Educate, Engage: The Role of the University in Sustainability Solutions
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Using case histories from the Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at ASU, we'll explore how universities can engage government entities, business and academic communities, non profit organizations and the public in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Transformative Partnerships: Replacing Consumerism with Community
- California Lutheran University (CA)
- City of Thousand Oaks (CA)
Can disciplines traditionally anchored in consumerist perspectives–like marketing and advertising–help students engage with sustainability and provide opportunities to make positive change in their communities? This case study demonstrates how campus/community …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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The United Nations' New Global Action Programme, Sustainable Development Goals, and You
- Portland Community College (OR)
- University of North Texas (TX)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
- York University
- China Green University Network
The Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) highlighted how education institutions have contributed to innovative pedagogy and partnerships, enhanced training, and galvanized whole-institution approaches, thus helping foster a more …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Teaching Systemic Sustainability through a Local Lens: A Minnesota Experience in Engaging Students with the Greater Community
- Prescott College (AZ)
One critical component of sustainability education is to help students understand the interconnectedness of environmental and social justice issues. The intersection of sustainability education, service learning, and social justice offers …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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The Road to Zero: A Tale of a Stadium Compost Pilot
- Purdue University (IN)
- NatureWorks (GA)
Purdue opened the South End Zone Patio area of Ross-Ade Stadium (capacity 57,236) at the beginning of the 2014 season. The Office of University Sustainability initiated a zero waste pilot …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Building a Statewide Sustainability Strategy in Higher Education (2015)
- University of Hawaii System Office (HI)
This case study will describe the first two years of developing the system-wide University of Hawaii (UH) Sustainability Strategy. In January 2014 the Board of Regents of the University of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Marketing-Minded Videos to Improve Waste Diversion and Sustainability
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The 'Video as Marketing for Waste Diversion' (VaMWD) project at UC Berkeley leverages marketing techniques known and familiar in corporate film-making and brand awareness to approach waste diversion as a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability Blitz for a Rapid Diffusion Across the Curriculum
- Skyline College (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
The time is now for addressing sustainability education across the curriculum. While there remain plenty of barriers to doing so – overburdened faculty, lack of interdisciplinary coordination, misaligned incentive structures …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Environmental Dashboard: Using real-time display of resource use & community voices to foster connections & empower stewardship
- Oberlin College (OH)
Many schools now use real-time 'dashboards' that provide feedback on electricity use in campus buildings to encourage conservation behavior. This presentation will engage audience members in an exploration of 'Environmental …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Communicating & Visualizing Sustainability: The Effects of Biomimic Marketing For Water Refill Stations on Campus, A Case Study
- Maryville College (TN)
As the field of sustainability grows, it becomes ever important to consider how sustainability is communicated, designed and visualized to aid in successful engagement, perceptions and implementation of sustainability-based programs, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Experiential, Community-based Learning and Sustainability Assessment: A Field Skills Course for Professional Degree Students
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
In 2014, the School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, launched a week-long field course for its professional Master of Sustainable Environmental Management program. Previously separate ecological and social …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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SOS – How Global Collaboration will Help you and your Campus
- National Union of Students
There are 17,000 universities and colleges in the world and students need to leave their education equipped to be part of the solution to sustainability issues, rather than part of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Building Change Agent Competencies Through Community-Based Research
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Portland State University (OR)
Community-based research (CBR) is a powerful pedagogy that engages students with community partners in authentic research that benefits the community while supporting students' development of change agent competencies and dispositions …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Voices from Minnesota's Youth Climate Movement: Organizing at the Intersection of Climate Change & Social Justice
- Macalester College (MN)
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Will Steger Foundation (MN)
- Grand Aspirations (MN)
- MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (MN)
- Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MN)
This panel discussion will feature stories from 6 vibrant Minnesota youth organizations working at the intersection of climate change and social justice. Across the state, youth are leading campaigns and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Attract a Bigger Audience by Saying Goodbye to Green
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
This session is PART 2 of the ways in which Penn State is attracting a bigger audience to sustainability by saying 'goodbye to green.' What we identify as 'sustainability' has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainability and Faith: The Language of Transcendence as Common Ground
- Lane Community College (OR)
- Alliance to Save Energy (CA)
Moving toward a more sustainable world requires consensus from people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Environmentalists tend to focus on the connectedness of creation, while people of faith more often …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Greening the Game at Collegiate Sports
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Like many universities, the University of Arizona has a strong tradition of athletics at the collegiate level. While sporting events are a key component to any university and it's students …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Building Capacity Through Regional Climate Action: A case study of cross-sectorial partnerships
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
Laurier has a unique relationship with local nonprofit Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR), a group that works to further environmental and economic resiliency in local organizations. SWR was initiated through a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Undergraduate Community Engagement in the Service of Sustainability: Connecting the ACTC Consortium with the City of St. Paul
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
In this session we will describe our experience leveraging the strengths of multiple institutions and engaging undergraduate students in project-based learning to improve the environmental sustainability of our city. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Wandering Out of the [Food] Desert: a Campus/Community Farmers Market Collaboration
- Wells College (NY)
One of the surprising things discovered by the new Center for Sustainability and the Environment at Wells College was that – despite the college's location within an upstate New York …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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American Jesuit College and University Networking Session
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Please join us for a networking session for the 28 American Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Any faith-based institution that is advancing sustainability connected to the faith tradition of your school …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Identity Caucus: The Intersection of Sustainability and Identity
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
During this section attendees will split into different groups depending on the identity that most resonate with them. The discussion will focus on how the intersection of these identities correlates …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Environmental Leaders Program (ELP) Networking and Professional Meeting
- University of Richmond (VA)
The mission of the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is to support visionary, action-oriented, and diverse leadership for a just and sustainable future. ELP aims to catalyze change by providing emerging …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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International Networking Meeting
- Portland Community College (OR)
- AASHE (MA)
Members of the international community who are attending the AASHE conference are invited to join in a networking luncheon to share ideas and successes in our countries. Let's discuss ways …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Facilitation In Action: How to cultivate group consensus that matters - Advanced Level
- GreenerU (MA)
Do you understand the basics of group facilitation but still feel stuck when it comes to creating group consensus with tricky stakeholders? Are you looking for a space to discuss …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Art as Vital Agent in the Spiral of Sustainable Change
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
What is the role of art in the process of sustainable transformation and education? Recognizing that environmental issues, historically, have shaped the arts, we examine how the arts have shaped …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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UBC Sustainability Scholars Program: Sustainability Internships as Drivers of Change
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Offered in collaboration with both on- and off-campus sustainability partners, the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program is designed to provide UBC graduate level students - regardless of their academic discipline - …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Integrating community-based learning into the sustainability classroom: A practical, collaborative approach
- University of South Dakota (SD)
Experiential learning is critical in sustainability because these hands-on, interactive experiences are often the most transformative of a student's formal education. Engaging students outside of the classroom can foster meaningful …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Including spirituality in the curriculum without conflicting with established beliefs systems
- University of Northern Colorado (CO)
Industrially developed nations, especially the USA, are showing a renewed search for spirituality, which seems to be a reaction to a materialistic consumer lifestyle, characterized by high levels of individualism, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Collective Impact: Results from a Multi-Campus Farm to College Pilot Program
- University at Albany (NY)
- State University of New York at New Paltz (NY)
- State University of New York at Oswego (NY)
This initiative involved four state colleges working with a statewide partnership of agricultural, public health and economic development interests who are working with food service providers on these campuses. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Driving Energy Efficiency through Higher Education Collaboration
- Heartland Community College (IL)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Rocky Mountain Institute (CO)
- APTIM (IL)
Alliance to Retrofit Chicago Higher Ed (ARCH) brings together higher education institutions in the Chicago area to share best practices and lessons learned around expanding efficiency in existing buildings and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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When School and Community Dance Together: Lessons learned from University and Government collaboration
- Florida International University (FL)
- Nova Southeastern University (FL)
Inspired by a 2014 AASHE presentation, the W. Huizenga Business School of Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University contacted 4-STAR rated Broward County to explore ways to connect the sustainability goals …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Positive Sustainable Change: The Crossroads of Sustainability & Civic Engagement
- Florida State University (FL)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Many common elements exist between the realms of sustainability education and civic engagement. Both movements are meant to foster an ethic of responsibility and justice, leadership development, and address community …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Experiential Learning: A Win-Win-Win for Higher Education, Communities, and Sustainability
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- City of Saint Anthony Village (MN)
This panel discussion provides an inspiring and informative overview of how the University of Minnesota's capstone course in its sustainability minor program has successfully built an ongoing and collaborative relationship …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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HydroCats: Water Harvesting and Community Connections in Tucson
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Like an infant born from Tucson's sustainable communities, the University of Arizona's HydroCats project has developed in less than a year from the glimmer of an idea to a rapidly …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Sustainability in Christian Higher Education: Symbolic Value Claims or Substantive Organizational Change?
- Carroll University (WI)
Environmental activism about climate change and sustainability-related issues is increasing on conservative Protestant campuses in the U.S. Highly religious Christian students are engaging their peers to increase sustainability awareness and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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EcoLeaders Community Supports Student Sustainability Efforts and Helps Build Career and Leadership Skills
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
National Wildlife Federation's EcoLeaders Initiative is a sustainability leadership certification program for college students and recent graduates. EcoLeaders features first web-based community to provide students with the virtual space to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Story, Psychology and Incentives: Sustainability Behavior Change Case Studies
- Alliance to Save Energy (CA)
This case study session uses identity and sustainability as an underlying theme to explore behavior change strategies and successes on college campuses through a variety of projects and curriculum. Nate …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Growing Community: University of Louisville Eco-Reps and Blackacre Nature Preserve
- University of Louisville (KY)
The University of Louisville's Eco-Reps is a sustainability training and networking group offering certifications, hosting monthly lunches, local speakers, and field trips, and organizing volunteer projects. Blackacre State Nature Preserve …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Integrating Environmental Issues Into Social Sciences, Business, And Humanities Courses Using Ecological Worldview Principles
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
Environmental problems are actually human behavior problems. Social sciences and humanities are important contributors for addressing environmental sustainability as they investigate and explain human behavior. Yet for faculty, integrating sustainability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- 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.
EN 10: Community Partnerships
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (first partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (second partnership)
- Description of a formal community partnership to advance sustainability (third partnership)
- Website URL - Community partnerships to advance sustainability
EN 11: Inter-campus Collaboration
- The national or international sustainability network(s)
- The regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s)
- Description of sustainability conference(s) and presentation(s)
- Description of sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s)
- Description of sustainability board or committee appointment(s)
- Description of sustainability-related mentoring relationship and activities
- Description of sustainability-related peer review activities
- Website URL - Sustainability-related inter-campus collaborations
EN 12: Continuing Education
- Percentage of continuing education courses that are sustainability course offerings
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (upload)
- Inventory of continuing education sustainability course offerings (description)
- Description of sustainability-related continuing education certificate program(s)
- Website URL - Continuing education courses and programs in sustainability
EN 13: Community Service
- Percentage of students engaged in community service
- Number of annual community service hours contributed per student
- Description of program(s) to support employee volunteering
- Website URL- Community service programs
EN 14: Participation in Public Policy
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the municipal/local level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the state/provincial/regional level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the national level
- Description of sustainability public policy advocacy at the international level
- Website URL - Sustainability advocacy efforts
EN 15: Trademark Licensing
- Description of the independent trademark monitoring and verification organization
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (upload)
- The labor rights code of conduct for licensees (description)
- Website URL - Trademark licensing initiatives
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.