Seattle University
IN-6: Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum

• SeattleU's CEJS (Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability) and Western Washington University serve together as an AASHE Center for Sustainability Across the Curriculum since 2017. See: https://www.aashe.org/partners/centers-for-sustainability-across-the-curriculum/

• In the past three years SeattleU has offered the following professional development opportunities on sustainability in the curriculum for academic staff from SU and other institutions:

1. Goal One of Seattle University’s Strategic Directions (2022-2027) is to “Reimagine and Revise our Curriculum” around the greatest challenges facing our society including: sustainability and climate change; racial injustice and widening economic inequity; and rapid technological change and its attendant social and economic impact.
See: https://www.seattleu.edu/strategic-directions/

In light of this goal, a cohort of five faculty fellows was appointed by the Provost (in June of 2022) to focus on the integration of “sustainability and climate change” in the curriculum. The University has sponsored several workshops to help faculty from across campus integrate learning outcomes on sustainability/climate change into their classes and academic programs. These workshops were held on November 16 and 17, 2022, May 25, 2023, and February 22, 2024.

2. In addition, a hands-on, practical, how-to workshop for “Adding Sustainability to the Business Curriculum” was held for faculty members on February 9, 2024. It was facilitated by renowned author Kevin Wilhelm (CEO at Sustainable Business Consulting - A Point B Company) and attended by faculty from Seattle University, University of Washington, Green River College, Ramon Llull University and the Toulouse Business School.

3. On September 29, 2022, Dr. Phillip Thompson (Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability) facilitated an online workshop as part of the “Ignatian Pedagogy for Sustainability (IPS)” events that Fall. The workshop was focused on “Community-Engaged Learning: Carbon Footprints for Business” and attended by faculty from across the AJCU institutions. See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/cejs/events/past-events/2022-2023/

Dr. Thompson shared Seattle University’s experience developing a Climate Impact Clinic. In 2021, a team of graduate students developed the Climate Impact Guide (CIG) which uses a streamlined version of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas emissions calculator to help small businesses determine their baseline carbon footprint. The presentation also discussed how a second team of students worked with a medium-sized pizza chain to use the CIG and develop recommendations for reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Participants were asked to discuss and consider how their campuses might adopt the CIG process and have their students work with local, small businesses to reduce their climate impacts. Read more here: https://seattleu.edu/cejs/get-involved/climate-impact/

4. On April 26, 2021, Dr. Mitchell Thomashow facilitated an online Seminar in partnership with the CEJS: “To Know the World: Advancing Curriculum and Faculty Development for Sustainability in Higher Education”
See here: https://www.seattleu.edu/earthmonth/2021/

Dr. Thomashow provided rationales, narratives, and approaches for environmental learning from his new book “To Know the World” (The MIT Press, 2020). Dr. Thomashow was formerly the President of Unity College and the Chair of Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England. He devotes his life and work to promoting ecological awareness, environmental learning, and organizational excellence. Mitchell’s books have significantly influenced environmental studies education: The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Campus, Bringing the Biosphere Home, and Ecological Identity.