Sterling College has once again earned the STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), measures and recognizes sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Sterling has achieved and maintained a STARS Gold Rating since 2015.
In the 2021 STARS assessment, Sterling earned its highest points in the academic categories of curriculum and research. Sterling offers majors in ecology, sustainable agriculture and food systems, environmental humanities, and outdoor education. With ecology as the backbone of all of Sterling’s degree programs, the college prepares students to make real change using nature as the measure in the communities of their choosing.
“Sterling College uses education as a force to address critical ecological problems caused by unlimited growth and consumption that is destroying the planet as we have known it,” said Sterling President Matthew Derr. “The STARS Gold rating recognizes our ongoing sustainability efforts on campus as well as the high level of engagement of Sterling students and faculty who are doing this important work.”
Sterling alumni are dedicated to both protecting wild places and promoting a working landscape that contributes to a just food system. 75% of all BA alumni responded to a recent survey, with 92% identifying as environmental stewards and 88% feeling their community contributions make the world a better place.
Sterling’s complete 2021 STARS report card can be reviewed on the AASHE website at www.aashe.org.
