Carnegie Foundation and ACE Launch Pilot Program for Sustainability Elective Classification

January 23, 2025

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE) have announced the pilot phase of the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability. This initiative is designed to recognize higher education institutions that embed sustainability and climate action into their core missions, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to advancing sustainability. The Carnegie Foundation and ACE developed the Sustainability Elective Classification to support thriving, sustainable communities for current and future generations with efforts that are culturally, regionally, and contextually informed.

This innovative classification offers a comprehensive framework for assessing institutional efforts across curriculum, research, operations, community engagement, and workforce development, with an emphasis on preparing students for careers in sustainability fields. The Carnegie Foundation defines sustainability in higher education as a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that integrates environmental stewardship, resilience and adaptation, and societal well-being. Participating institutions will undergo a rigorous self-assessment process to highlight their achievements, set strategic goals for continuous improvement, foster transformative change, and share best practices across the higher education sector.

Diverse Pilot Cohort Announced

Twenty-one colleges and universities across the United States and Puerto Rico have been selected for the year-long pilot program. The cohort represents a wide variety of institutional types, including Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, rural campuses, land grant institutions, research universities, and liberal arts colleges. These institutions will play a pivotal role in shaping the framework for the official Sustainability Elective Classification, slated to launch in early 2026.

A Vision for Leadership in Sustainability

"The Elective Classification for Sustainability recognizes how institutions of higher education are essential to the future of American innovation and progress, within and beyond their classrooms," said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. "These pilot institutions are helping to forge the way."

"ACE is proud to partner with the Carnegie Foundation on this critical initiative," said Ted Mitchell, president of ACE. "The Sustainability Elective Classification will help colleges and universities demonstrate their leadership and innovation in advancing sustainability across all aspects of their missions."

The pilot program will focus on refining the classification's definition, criteria, and sustainability indicators. It aims to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for institutions of all sizes and types while aligning the framework with existing sustainability standards and practices. Additionally, participating institutions will explore opportunities to foster deeper collaborations with campus and community partners.

Participating Institutions:

The following 21 institutions demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing sustainability across diverse contexts:

• Bennett College - Greensboro, North Carolina
• Boise State University - Boise, Idaho
• Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
• Clarkson University - Potsdam, New York
• Dillard University - New Orleans, Louisiana
• George Mason University - Fairfax, Virginia
• Morehouse College - Atlanta, Georgia
• Mt. San Antonio College - Walnut, California
• Pima Community College - Tucson, Arizona
• Santa Rosa Junior College - Santa Rosa, California
• Sullivan County Community College - Loch Sheldrake, New York
• Tohono O'Odham Community College - Sells, Arizona
• Universidad del Sagrado Corazón - San Juan, Puerto Rico
• University of Arizona - Tucson, Arizona
• University of California, Merced - Merced, California
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
• University of Puerto Rico at Utuado - Utuado, Puerto Rico
• University of South Dakota - Vermillion, South Dakota
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Xavier University of Louisiana - New Orleans, Louisiana

Future Directions and Host Institution Search

Insights from the pilot will guide the development of the Sustainability Elective Classification, ensuring it provides a robust and measurable assessment of sustainability efforts in higher education.

The Carnegie Foundation and ACE are actively seeking a host institution, organization, or consortium to manage the development, implementation, operations and administration of the classification. The host institution will play a critical role in advancing sustainability standards, engaging stakeholders, and shaping the future of sustainability in higher education. Benefits include increased visibility, expanded research funding opportunities, and the ability to attract sustainability-focused students and collaborators.

Legacy of the Carnegie Elective Classifications

The Sustainability Elective Classification joins a distinguished suite of Carnegie Elective Classifications, including those for Community Engagement and Leadership for Public Purpose. This initiative reinforces the transformative role of higher education in addressing pressing societal challenges. Click here to learn more.

This effort is made possible through the generous support of Lumina Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, whose dedication to advancing sustainability in higher education has been instrumental in launching this initiative.

Click here for more information about the Sustainability Elective Classification and the pilot program.

###

About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education.

About the American Council on Education (ACE)
ACE unites and leads higher education institutions toward a shared vision for the future. With more than 1,600 member colleges, universities, and associations, ACE designs solutions for today's challenges and advances public policy to support a diverse and dynamic higher education sector. Learn more at www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on X (formerly Twitter) @ACEducation.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.