Santa Clara University Supports Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 21, 2021— Santa Clara University (SCU) is proud to announce its involvement as a Host Institution Sponsor for AASHE’s Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE). This three-day event, taking place October 12-14, will deliver live interactive sessions, inspiring keynote presenters, and engaging networking opportunities for innovative professionals and campus change agents. This year, the conference will be held virtually with the opportunity for an even larger global audience to come together to advance sustainability in higher education.
As we all face intensifying climate-related disasters, a global pandemic, and ongoing systemic racism, many people feel uncertain and apprehensive about the future of sustainability. With a theme of “The future is …”, this year’s GCSHE will reflect on these struggles and invite participants to recommit themselves to the urgent work of building a future that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient.
“Our host institutions truly champion sustainability advancements in higher education. We are grateful to work with these select colleges and universities that directly contribute to the success of the conference and the sustainability movement as a whole,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.
To reinforce the campus community’s focus on climate change, SCU will be incorporating GCSHE into its Global Climate Action Week, combining conference sessions with virtual and in-person offerings from its university-wide climate crisis awareness and action event, tUrn, as well as ongoing sustainability events.
SCU has been an AASHE member for a decade and, as one of the pilot institutions for AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking Assessment Rating System (STARS), currently holds a STARS Gold rating. In addition to staff of SCU’s Center for Sustainability regularly presenting at this annual conference, SCU is also part of AASHE’s national Centers for Sustainability Across the Curriculum program.
After achieving part one of its carbon neutrality commitment in 2020, SCU achieved part one of continues to move forward with the goals and objectives outlined in its University Sustainability Strategic Plan, which includes maintaining net zero greenhouse gas emissions for energy usage, as well as infusing climate action, sustainability practices, and environmental justice work into the university’s academics, campus life, and community engagement.
As a Host Institution of GCSHE, SCU has complimentary registration passes for the campus community. Exclusive emails will be sent to faculty, staff, and students with more information. Specific questions about registration can be directed to the Center for Sustainability at sustainability@scu.edu.
About the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, 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. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook and Twitter.
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information see www.scu.edu.
Media Contacts
Deepa Arora | SCU Communications | darora@scu.edu
Elliot Zanger | SCU Communications | ezanger@scu.edu