Program recognizes higher education institutions that deeply embed sustainability
Colleges and universities across the United States are invited to apply for the inaugural Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, a new national framework from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching designed to recognize higher education institutions that embed sustainability and climate action across teaching, research, operations and community engagement. The University of Colorado Boulder serves as the host institution for the initiative in partnership with The Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE).
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the nation’s leading framework for categorizing diverse U.S. higher education institutions. The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability will be the third such elective classification offered by Carnegie, the first two being for Community Engagement and Leadership for Public Purpose.
CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced the application launch at the Second Nature Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit in Chicago. The classification provides institutions with a rigorous structure to evaluate and demonstrate their sustainability commitments at a time of rising student expectations, growing workforce demands and increasing public accountability around environmental stewardship.
“The effort isn’t about rating institutions; it is about reflection and progress and elevating the individual sustainability work happening on each campus—from large public universities to small private colleges, from R1 institutions to community colleges,” said Schwartz. “There is no recipe for success; the goal is to allow each institution to shine in their own unique way. This is exactly what higher education does best—we commit to tough challenges, we learn together and we improve together.”
As the operational home for the initiative, CU Boulder manages program operations, supports application review and facilitates the development of a nationwide community of practice among campuses pursuing the classification.
“The launch of the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability represents a major step forward for the field,” Marisol Morales, Executive Director, Carnegie Elective Classifications, American Council on Education. “We are grateful to the institutions, advisors, and partners who contributed their expertise and leadership to shaping this initiative. Together, we are recognizing and strengthening the role of higher education in advancing sustainability, climate action and long-term community well-being.”
All accredited U.S. higher education institutions—including community colleges, minority serving institutions, liberal arts colleges, regional universities and research institutions—are encouraged to apply.
Learn more and begin the application process here: https://www.colorado.edu/sustainability/apply-carnegie-elective-classification-sustainability
Learn more about sustainability at CU Boulder here: colorado.edu/sustainability
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About ACE
ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a unified vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today’s challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of about 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on X (@ACEducation) and LinkedIn.
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. For more information, please visit www.carnegiefoundation.org.
About CU Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is Colorado’s leading public research university, transforming lives since 1876. As the state’s flagship university and one of only 38 U.S. public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder has proudly served Coloradans since the state’s founding. Home to five Nobel Laureates since 1989 and the only university to send space instruments to every planet in the solar system, CU Boulder provides a strong return on investment by aligning efforts to achieve research and creative excellence, global sustainability impact and the success of all students, faculty and staff. Learn more at colorado.edu/about.
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