Inspiring higher education to accelerate the sustainability transformation
Announcements
Thirty sustainability professionals have earned certification through the third cohort of the STARS Data Quality Certificate Program! This growing community is helping to advance high-quality STARS reporting through expert training and review. Certified professionals are now equipped to support campuses in producing accurate, transparent reports that drive meaningful progress. View the list of certified professionals and learn how to get involved in the next cohort. Additionally, if you are interested in becoming a STARS Data Quality Certified Professional, we will hold additional training sessions in 2026 (dates to be announced via AASHE newsletters and online communities).
Announcements
Many colleges and universities are rethinking how their grounds are managed as part of broader sustainability and climate goals. This spring, AASHE’s six-week Organic Landscape Management course equips ground managers, sustainability leaders, facilities staff, faculty, and students with the tools to transition from conventional practices to organic, pesticide-free landcare. Participants gain practical tools to eliminate synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, improve soil health, and design resilient, climate-aligned campus landscapes. This six-week virtual course meets on Tuesdays, Mar. 3- Apr. 7 (2-4 p.m. ET). The deadline to register is Mar. 3, 2026.
Announcements
Plan to join us at the AASHE 2026 Conference & Expo, returning to the East Coast in Baltimore, Maryland from October 4-6, 2026. Stay tuned for more details and don’t forget to mark your calendar.
Announcements
Ready to rethink how decisions are made on your campus? Join Reimagining Governance: Building Inclusive Pathways to Campus Sustainability, a six-week virtual course meeting on Tuesdays, January 20 – February 24 (3–5 p.m. ET). This interactive program explores how governance structures shape sustainability outcomes and introduces Sociocracy (“Dynamic Governance”), a model based on consent, equity, and shared leadership. Through guided discussions, real-world examples, and hands-on practice, participants will learn practical tools to make campus decision-making more inclusive, transparent, and effective while building a community of peers committed to equitable sustainability leadership.
Announcements
AASHE’s Campus Decarbonization Academy is back for 2026! This six-month, cohort-based program offers actionable solutions to guide your institution through the complex process of decarbonization, with support from campus and industry experts every step of the way. Designed for sustainability staff, energy and facilities managers, business officers, campus planners, and architects, the Academy is especially valuable for institutions with central plants and significant deferred maintenance. With opportunities to collaborate closely with peers and mentors across higher education, the Academy empowers institutions to transform ambitious climate goals into meaningful progress. Applications are now open and reviewed on a rolling basis through January 22, 2026.
Announcements
The 2026 AASHE Sustainability Awards are open! Each year, the awards honor the people and projects advancing sustainability in higher education, from innovative campus initiatives to inspiring individual leadership. Categories include the Campus Sustainability Achievement Award, Student Sustainability Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and the AASHE Fellows Award for mid-career leaders. Applications, nominations, and judge sign-ups are open now through Friday, January 30, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your achievements, recognize a peer, or volunteer as a judge to help highlight the changemakers leading the way.
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.
The largest stage to share effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions which advance sustainability in higher education.
A one-stop shop for toolkits and resource collections on all aspects of sustainability in higher education.
A weekly e-newsletter that delivers the latest in campus sustainability news, resources, opportunities, events, and jobs and internships.
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
About AASHE
AASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders.
By sharing knowledge, cooperating on projects and fostering meaningful relationships, partners in the Mentorship Program help advance the field of higher education sustainability.
As the campus sustainability movement has evolved, a wide variety of networks of campus sustainability advocates have emerged. These networks, which are often formed along state, provincial and/or regional lines, share many goals with AASHE. For this reason, we have formalized a collaborative relationship with many of these networks through our Affiliates Program.
AASHE has partnered with 13 Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum on a pilot basis to offer workshops and other professional development opportunities on sustainability in the curriculum in an effort to increase the accessibility and diversity of sustainability-oriented training for faculty.
