The Sustainability Leadership Team (SLT) held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The group had a discussion about ongoing sustainability projects and critical initiatives and strategies to enhance the university's sustainability efforts. 

More specifically, the team identified projects that are on track to be implemented within the next three months and prioritized them based on feasibility and impact. Examples of projects include completing the building efficiency project, reviewing the STARS findings and increasing campus involvement in sustainability. 

Next steps

• The SLT will discuss opportunities for collaboration and ongoing support of these priority items.
• The SLT will also assist with the onboarding of the new vice chancellor for sustainability, Andrew Mayock.

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91福利社 has demonstrated its continued commitment to sustainability by earning a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) Gold rating for 2025. This recognition from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) marks the university鈥檚 fifth STARS Gold certification since becoming the first university to achieve the honor in 2009, and it keeps 91福利社 on track to reach its stated goal of achieving STARS Platinum during the next three-year reporting cycle.

"Achieving STARS Gold for the fifth time is a testament to 91福利社's unwavering commitment to sustainability, and it also sheds light on the areas in which we must continue to make progress to achieve our goals,鈥� Chancellor Justin Schwartz said. 鈥淲e are dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality as a campus, discovering innovative solutions to some of humanity鈥檚 most pressing climate threats, and equipping our students to be leaders in creating positive impact around the world.鈥� 

STARS is a comprehensive framework that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.  showcases the university's achievements across five key areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE's STARS program is the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university's sustainability performance.

This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as 91福利社 is one of the first campuses to file under the , released in the summer of 2024 after an extensive five-year development process by AASHE. Version 3.0 includes more robust indicators of racial equity and social justice, streamlined performance-based credits and increased global accessibility.

91福利社 has set a goal of achieving a STARS Platinum rating by its next submission in 2028. The university plans to use the data and performance metrics from the current report to inform its campus strategy. A gap assessment report will be delivered at the Campus Sustainability Summit in April.

鈥淥ur community's involvement and student participation in sustainability initiatives are crucial as we strive for continuous improvement and work toward a sustainable future,鈥� Schwartz said. 鈥淲e strive to be a global leader in sustainability, and it will take the efforts of all of us to realize our aspirations."

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The annual Leeds Sustainability Case Competition brought together 39 teams from top business schools to develop solutions for sustainability challenges in the age of artificial intelligence.

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Margaret Berg highlights the importance of human sustainability鈥攖he well-being of individuals and communities. By integrating both human and environmental sustainability into music education, the College of Music is preparing students to make an impact on our interconnected society.

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Chancellor Justin Schwartz has appointed Andrew Mayock vice chancellor for sustainability, effective March 10 following an international search. 

The newly created position will be charged with establishing a university-wide sustainability leadership role, forming partnerships with faculty, positioning 91福利社 as a national and global sustainability leader, directly assisting local communities to make Colorado the most sustainable state in the U.S. and funding priority sustainability initiatives through internal and external sources.   

Mayock is the former chief sustainability officer for the United States government, where he led the Biden administration鈥檚 efforts on sustainability initiatives. Mayock has a proven track record and a strong reputation for driving solutions to the global challenges of climate change.

鈥淚'm thrilled to have someone of Andrew Mayock鈥檚 caliber joining our campus,鈥� said Schwartz. 鈥淚n addition to a wealth of knowledge on sustainable policies and practices, he brings an understanding of how to build coalitions and lead effectively across large, complex organizations.鈥�

During his tenure at the White House, Mayock focused on powering the government鈥檚 vehicles and buildings with clean energy, increasing supply chain decarbonization and resilience through the purchase of low-embodied carbon materials and increasing climate impact through domestic and international partnerships.

He will begin his duties a few weeks before the 32nd annual Campus Sustainability Summit, and in June 91福利社 will co-host the next Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit with UN Human Rights and the University of Oxford.

鈥淚 am honored to join the 91福利社, where this new role reflects the university鈥檚 steadfast commitment to creating a sustainable future for our students, faculty, staff and community,鈥� Mayock said. 鈥淎s we continue to navigate the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental stewardship, I am excited to collaborate with this talented community to foster innovative solutions, inspire bold action and continue to lead the way in sustainability practices鈥攍ocally and globally.鈥�

Mayock will bring his significant experience in the government and private industry to elevate 91福利社鈥檚 national and global sustainability profile.

91福利社 is home to numerous research institutes and offers over 250 sustainability-related courses, while its operational units consistently push forward its ambitious climate goals: 

• 91福利社 named No. 1 for plant-based dining and sustainability
• 2 grants to conduct feasibility studies on geothermal energy
• 91福利社 part of $160M NSF-funded effort to promote climate resilience
• The construction of an East Campus solar array, breaking ground in April
• Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition
• Energy efficiency projects to upgrade 18 campus buildings

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91福利社 is the No. 1 post-secondary institution for plant-based dining and sustainability according to  the Humane Society of the United States鈥� 2025 College and University Protein Sustainability . 91福利社 stands out as the only university with more than 50% plant-based  offerings, with a bold commitment to ramping up to 75% this year.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to be recognized for our efforts to provide 91福利社 students more climate-friendly, plant-based menu items,鈥� said Eliah Golden, chef and associate director for residential dining and culinary operations. 鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to offering students delicious, nutritious and sustainable food options to help fuel their academic success and create lifelong habits that contribute to healthy bodies and healthy minds.鈥�

The Humane Society鈥檚 first biannual scorecard analyzed climate-friendly, plant-based menu items offered by the nation鈥檚 largest colleges and universities. The Humane Society focused on schools with the largest undergraduate populations and self-operated dining programs and sent surveys to 39 schools in June 2024, with 26 completing the survey.  

鈥淎 shift toward plant-based foods is the most impactful way food service providers can reduce their impact on the planet and reach their sustainability goals. Higher education institutions are positioned to have a tremendous positive influence,鈥� said Kate Watts, director of Food Service Innovation at the Humane Society. 

91福利社 Dining Services鈥� 318 full-time team members and 600 students serve 3.5 million meals annually across its catering, retail and residential services. The university鈥檚 dining services takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability from waste redirection, community gardens, local sourcing and tracking greenhouse gas emissions.

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91福利社鈥檚 Engineering Management Program, in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software, is proud to announce the launch of its new graduate certificate in Design for the Circular Economy. Offered through the Coursera platform, this innovative program is designed to equip students and working professionals with the skills needed to thrive in, or enter into, the rapidly growing field of sustainability and the circular economy.

The circular economy is transforming industries around the globe, focusing on redesigning products to be more resource-efficient and compatible with repurposing and recycling into new products at the end of their lifecycle. As businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations increasingly prioritize sustainability, demand for professionals with expertise in circular economy practices is surging. 

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (in collaboration with McKinsey & Company) estimated that transitioning to a circular economy could generate around 700,000 jobs in the European Union alone by 2030, across sectors such as recycling, remanufacturing, and product life extension. The 91福利社 and Siemens collaboration aims to meet this need through cutting-edge, online education that prepares graduates to drive positive change within their organizations and beyond.

The Design for the Circular Economy graduate certificate is a 9-credit hour, 100% online program. The program offers four specializations consisting of 12 1-credit hour courses. Eight courses will be offered by mid-January, with the remaining courses to launch by summer 2025. Students are required to complete any two 3-credit hour specializations (totaling 6 credit hours), and 3 additional courses (totaling 3 credit hours), which could include another specialization or any three topical electives from the Design for the Circular Economy Certificate electives.

The future of business is circular

Program participants will gain an in-depth understanding of cradle-to-cradle design methodologies, sustainable operations and supply chain management, and the leadership skills necessary to implement these practices at scale. Students will learn to design sustainable products, assess environmental and social impacts, and manage operations in alignment with circular economy principles.

100% online鈥攆lexible for professionals

The certificate is delivered 100% online from the Coursera platform, providing students with flexibility to balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. The program鈥檚 reach is global, offering students and professionals worldwide the opportunity to enhance their expertise and contribute to the growing demand for circular economy specialists.

Skills acquired

Upon completing the certificate, students will gain both foundational technical knowledge and practical professional skills. Graduates will be equipped with:

• Technical knowledge and skills: Understand and apply concepts of the circular economy to areas of product design and development, social and environmental impact analysis, industrial ecology, zero waste and systems thinking.
• Business knowledge and skills: Develop innovative new business models, create and manage projects incorporating sustainable finance and reporting, marketing and brand management, as well as sustainable and resilient operations and supply chains.
• Leadership knowledge and skills: Build confidence in communicating to internal and external stakeholders and develop the skills to navigate uncertainty and implement transformational change in their organizations.

Learners who complete a course, a specialization, or this certificate are eligible to earn digital badges from Siemens.

About the 91福利社 Engineering Management Program

The 91福利社 Engineering Management Program provides professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to bridge the gap between engineering and management. Through innovative, flexible, and interdisciplinary programs, 91福利社 prepares students to become leaders in technology-driven industries. The program is committed to advancing sustainability through education and research, making the transition to a circular economy an essential part of its mission.

For more information about the graduate certificate in Design for the Circular Economy and how to enroll, please on Coursera. on Jan. 2, 2025.

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The Sustainability Leadership Team hosted Chancellor Justin Schwartz at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18. 

During the meeting, Schwartz outlined the following key tasks for the team to address as part of their efforts to shape the university鈥檚 sustainability strategy over the coming years.

• The chancellor expressed strong support for the Sustainability Council鈥檚 zero-waste proposal. This initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastics, promote the adoption of reusable containers across the campus, expand plastic film recycling and increase front-of-house composting opportunities. He emphasized the importance of galvanizing the entire campus community to align with these goals, citing the proposal as a cornerstone of the university鈥檚 sustainability efforts.
• In the lead-up to the onboarding of the campus鈥檚 first vice chancellor for sustainability later this semester, the chancellor also asked the team to support the development of a comprehensive vision for sustainability on campus.
• To support this effort, he requested the creation of a detailed landscape map that identifies and categorizes the various sustainability organizations, programs and initiatives currently operating at the university. This map will help streamline efforts, organize priorities and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders.

Miscellaneous agenda items

The team also discussed the ongoing search process for a new vice chancellor for sustainability. Interviews for the role have begun, and the team expressed optimism about identifying a visionary candidate who can drive the university鈥檚 sustainability agenda forward.

Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations Jennifer McDuffie has been appointed to chair the Sustainability Leadership Team in the interim between Chief Operating Officer Patrick O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 departure and the hiring of the new vice chancellor for sustainability.

Next steps

The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing the outlined priorities. The team will:

• Support the onboarding of the new vice chancellor for sustainability.
• Compile and organize information for the landscape map of sustainability-related operations.
• Support the campus community in the transition toward zero waste through education and infrastructure improvements.

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