Sustainability Higher Ed

Institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to blend in-depth study of sustainability with tangible practices that challenge the status quo, bring to light trade-offs, and express values embedded in strategic decision-making.

Sustainability asks how people, institutions, and societies meet their current needs without compromising the ability of future generations of all living creatures to meet their needs.  Institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to blend in-depth study with tangible practices that challenge the status quo,  honestly reveal the trade-offs, and articulate the expressed values embedded in strategic decision-making.  I am investigating the models used by private liberal arts colleges to engage students in helping to forward institutional sustainability initiatives.  In addition, I am building a material and energy flow profile for chemical education at the undergraduate level using green chemistry and St. Olaf College as a case study.