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User Testimonial
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"Our participation with the SEED Center is a result and manifestation of our commitment to green and sustainability. We have found that all of the SEED resources add value and the ability to build a network with other SEED partners is particularly valuable."
Stephenie Presseller, Sustainability Manager, Center for Sustainability, Moraine Valley Community College (IL)
Read more about Moraine Valley Community College's green initiatives in their SEED Story Snapshot.
Share your story.
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Conferences
Green Schools Alliance Conference
4/13, Atlanta, GA
2013 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference: How colleges and universities are developing programs and curricula that address environmental and sustainability challenges.
4/15-16, Bethesda, MD Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference 4/16-18, Washington, DC AACC Annual Convention4/20-23, San Francisco, CA Alfred State's 2013 Sustainability Conference 6/6-8, Wellsville, NY |
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Issue 27, April 10, 2013
Peer Mentoring for Green and Sustainable Community College Programs
Expert Perspective
Dear SEED Center Supporters,
 I was honored to be part of AACC's 2012 SEED Center Mentor Connect program that pairs best-in-class green colleges with "mentee" colleges in an effort to build and expand programs that prepare students for careers in clean energy and sustainability-related fields. The benefits of peer mentoring are well-documented, but this program marks the first time the concept has been applied on a national scale to green and sustainability programs at community colleges. With 470 community colleges pursuing sustainability in some form, and with many struggling to define the curricular opportunities, this kind of technical assistance can be an effective way to replicate the most innovative community college practices.
The challenges community colleges face in building comprehensive sustainability programming vary greatly across institutions. Some struggle to determine the local labor market demand for skill sets and occupations. Others are attempting to mobilize faculty across disciplines to integrate sustainability concepts into existing course lesson plans. And most colleges are confronting organizational resource issues working to find funding to pay for it all.
From my perspective as a mentor, we were able to establish a relationship with our mentee college and that is what is important. We shared ideas, made connections and provided opportunities for our mentee college team to see up close and personal how sustainability is infused throughout the entire community at Santa Fe CC. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the exciting work at Clover Park. I would encourage any college interested in growing their sustainability programming to become involved with this project - it is a fabulous chance to learn from and with national colleagues!
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A Blueprint for Building High Quality, Green Programs of Study
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Colleges Urged to Create Courses Open to All Undergraduates
 The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the University of Maryland, and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) have developed 'Energy 101', a unique, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary model framework born out of DOE's desire to introduce college students to energy literacy and sustainability and to encourage them to pursue energy careers. The 'Energy 101' framework can be modified to suit different local and regional interests and needs.
Don't miss today's webinar being offered for faculty, administrators and other interested parties to learn about the 'Energy 101' framework. Register now for today's 2:00 pm EDT webinar.
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 Bellevue College has taken exceptional leadership in climate change and sustainability through education, innovation and a collaborative approach between students, faculty and staff. Sustainability initiatives occur inside the classroom, through student programs and across campus, and the college is working to integrate sustainability across the curriculum.
The college also prepares students to reach beyond campus and advocate for sustainability and climate policy. It is these innovative initiatives centered on students and cross-college and community collaboration efforts that make Bellevue College a leader on climate and sustainability practices and programming. Read more.
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Walla Walla Community College (WA) has been awarded the 2013 Aspen prize. It was commended for tracking work-force trends and training students for emerging jobs in fields as diverse as wine making, wind energy, and watershed ecology. Aspen officials pointed out that about two million jobs are going unfilled nationally because employers can't find workers with the necessary skills and the college is trying to fill those gaps by working with local businesses to create programs in emerging fields while shrinking programs in others. Read more.
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Awards & Green Programing
Hopkinsville Community College (KY) has achieved a bronze rating in an international program to encourage sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
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What do you think? Send comments, suggestions, sustainability success stories, newsletter ideas,
green economy events/webinars and conferences, and learn more about corporate partnerships.
SEED is brought to you by the American Association of Community Colleges and ecoAmerica and
is supported by the Flora Family, Kresge, and Surdna Foundations and corporate partner Pearson Higher Education.
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