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.

3022 resources

Observing Earth Day 2025 On your Campus

  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Earthday.org (DC)

Learn about the theme of Earth Day 2025: “Our Power, Our Planet,” focused on promoting renewable energy and the power of advocacy! Lee and Libby will introduce you to the …

  • Posted Jan. 30, 2025
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Binghamton 2 Degrees: Building Community Resilience Through Collaborative Action

  • Binghamton University (NY)

Binghamton 2 Degrees is a transformative initiative uniting Binghamton University and the greater Binghamton community to envision a resilient future under the looming threat of two degrees of warming. Through …

  • Posted Jan. 27, 2025
  • Case Studies
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B.Y.O. Campaign and Romeoville Repair Cafe: Reducing Waste by Promoting a Circular Economy through Single Use Waste Reduction and Product Repair

  • Joliet Junior College (IL)

American throwaway culture is rapidly expanding garbage landfill around the world; majorly, it’s caused by planned or perceived obsolesces and daily disposables. Many people unknowingly throw away items that could …

  • Posted Jan. 27, 2025
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Cat Trax Bike Share Program

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

Cat Trax bike share is a collaborative program between the town of Durham, NH and the UNH Sustainability Institute. We manage and maintain a fleet of 30 bikes that are …

  • Posted Jan. 27, 2025
  • Case Studies
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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
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ACG’s Commitment to Reducing Food Waste On Campus and the Broader Community

  • The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)

ACG is dedicated to reducing food waste both on campus and in the broader community through ongoing volunteer initiatives, awareness-raising events, and relevant research.

Since November 2018, The American College …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
  • Case Studies
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The ACG Sustainability Leaders Student Organization

  • The American College of Greece (Aghia Paraskevi)

The ACG Sustainability Leaders student organization is consistently making an impact both on and off the ACG campus through a variety of sustainability-related activities, including community contribution initiatives.

Established in …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
  • Case Studies
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Leading Campus Decarbonization Efforts

  • Tufts University (MA)
  • University of Oregon (OR)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • WRNS Studio (CA)
  • Trio (CA)

Join this engaging session featuring a dynamic panel of experts from diverse higher education institutions—spanning private and public, large and small campuses—who are driving innovative decarbonization initiatives. Panelists will share …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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Northeastern's Climate Justice Action Plan

  • Northeastern University (MA)

Northeastern University’s Climate Justice Action Plan (CJAP) is a comprehensive, forward-thinking initiative designed to integrate climate justice principles into the institution’s sustainability framework. At the heart of this plan is …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
  • Case Studies
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IE University’s Sustainability Week

  • Instituto de Empresa SL

Each year, the entire IE University community comes together to celebrate one of our most impactful flagship events – the Sustainability Week. This student-led initiative is driven by a collaborative …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
  • Case Studies
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CSUN’s CA Climate Action Corps Workforce Development Service Program

  • California State University, Northridge (CA)

The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) CA Climate Action Corps (CCAC) program is part of California’s statewide effort to address climate change through community-focused action. Launched in 2021, the program …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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From Waste to Resource: Building a Culture of Circularity and Engagement at ISU's Share Shop

  • Illinois State University (IL)

Illinois State University (ISU) has developed and successfully implemented The Share Shop, a free secondhand store located inside the Office of Sustainability. The Share Shop has had a transformative impact …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
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SUNY Student Assembly’s Sustainability Town Hall

  • University at Albany (NY)
  • University at Buffalo (NY)
  • State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
  • State University of New York System Office (NY)

On September 24th, 2024, I, Eden Gardner, hosted a virtual sustainability town hall on behalf of the SUNY Student Assembly, in coordination with the SUNY Office of Sustainability, and the …

  • Posted Jan. 24, 2025
  • Case Studies
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System-wide STARS completion for Tecnológico de Monterrey

  • Tecnológico de Monterrey – Campus Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)

Tecnológico de Monterrey is a private, non-profit, independent institution with no political and religious affiliations. The work of Tecnológico de Monterrey and all its campuses is supported by civil associations …

  • Posted Jan. 22, 2025
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Green For Good

  • Nanyang Technological University

The Green For Good is the flagship initiative of Earthlink NTU, one of the largest student-led sustainability group in Singapore. Held in Nanyang Technological University Singapore, the one-month long sustainability …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2025
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Mysun Foundation Grant Supports Arboretum Partnership With Conservation Corps

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was awarded a grant from the Mysun Foundation to support a partnership with Orange County Conservation Corps, aiming to empower individuals …


Net Zero on Campus: A Guide and Accompanying Toolkit for Universities and Colleges to Accelerate Climate Action Worldwide

  • AASHE (MA)
  • United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NY)

Universities are uniquely positioned to be agents of change as living labs, testing innovations and educating on tools and resources in their institutions, communities, and beyond. With university net zero …


CSUF’s Energy and Sustainability Summit Paves the Way for a Greener Future

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Cal State Fullerton is at the forefront of making sustainability efforts accessible and affordable for Orange County communities, preparing students to be pioneers in clean energy and partnering with local …


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
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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
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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
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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

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