Inspiring higher education to accelerate the sustainability transformation
Announcements
Join us June 4–5, 2026 for the AASHE Sustainability Education Forum, building on the success of previous years. This dynamic virtual event, grounded in Open Space Technology, creates a collaborative environment for open dialogue, shared learning, and co-creating the future of sustainability education in higher education. Whether you’re a faculty member, curriculum developer, instructional designer, or simply passionate about advancing sustainability education, the Sustainability Education Forum offers engaging conversations, valuable connections, and fresh insights to support your work. Registration is now open, and we are excited to announce Dr. Gary E. Machlis (Clemson University) as this year’s opening speaker, with additional speakers to be announced.
Announcements
Explore AASHE’s 2025 Annual Report, a reflection of a year dedicated to advancing sustainability in higher education. From our successful conference in Minneapolis, to offering our inaugural Campus Decarbonization Academy, this report highlights the collective impact of the AASHE community . None of this progress would be possible without the invaluable contributions of our Board of Directors, STARS Steering Committee, Advisory Council, members, and dedicated staff. Get inspired by a year of progress, innovation, and collaboration in sustainability across higher education.
Announcements
AASHE’s 2026 Call for Proposals is now open. We invite you to share your insights, research, and lessons learned at the AASHE Conference & Expo (October 4–6, 2026, in Baltimore, MD) or through our year-round virtual education programs, including webinars, workshops, and online courses. Presenting with AASHE is an opportunity to contribute to the leading sustainability community in higher education and help shape conversations that move the field forward. Submit your proposal by April 10, 2026.
Announcements
Colleges and universities serve thousands of meals every day, making campus dining a powerful opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and model sustainable food systems for future generations. This three-hour virtual workshop brings together behavioral science and campus food systems expertise to explore how institutions can encourage plant-rich eating and reduce food waste—without limiting choice or provoking resistance.
Featuring Cass Sunstein, author of Nudge, alongside leaders from the Center for Food Systems Transformation at the University of San Diego, the workshop introduces practical, evidence-based strategies grounded in behavioral psychology. Participants will examine real-world campus case studies where plant-based defaults led to significant shifts in dining behavior and practice, applying these approaches to their own campus contexts.
Participants will also leave with a Plant-Based NGO Resource Guide, connecting them to nonprofit partners offering support with student engagement, chef training, menu design, procurement, and implementation.
March 26 | 1:00–4:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
Announcements
Complete the survey by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 16 to help us examine the nature of higher education sustainability positions.
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).
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.
