Innovative Approaches to Sustainability Education

Originally aired January 14, 2015

Sustainability educators and academic leaders discuss innovative approaches to teaching sustainability at the university level. Panelists explore curriculum design, interdisciplinary learning models, experiential education, and how institutions are preparing the next generation of sustainability professionals to address complex, real-world environmental and social challenges.

Speakers

Shirley Vincent (Moderator)

Director, Institute for Sustainability in Higher Education

Shirley Vincent is Director of the Institute for Sustainability in Higher Education and has worked extensively on the development and assessment of sustainability education programs at colleges and universities. She leads research and practitioner initiatives that examine how academic institutions can integrate sustainability across disciplines and institutional operations.

Chris Boone

Dean, College of Global Futures, Arizona State University

Chris Boone is Dean of the College of Global Futures at Arizona State University, a college dedicated to addressing global sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary research and education. His work focuses on urban sustainability, political ecology, and developing innovative academic models that bridge scholarship and practice.

Sandra Lubarsky

Director, Sustainable Development Program, Appalachian State University

Sandra Lubarsky is Director of the Sustainable Development Program at Appalachian State University, where she leads one of the pioneering undergraduate sustainability programs in the United States. Her academic work integrates philosophy, environmental humanities, and sustainability science to prepare students for careers in a sustainable economy.

Jennifer Allen

Director of Sustainability Programs, University of Vermont

Jennifer Allen directs sustainability programs at the University of Vermont, where she works to develop and grow academic offerings that prepare students to address environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges. She brings expertise in program development, experiential learning, and connecting academic sustainability training to career pathways.

Sue Gentile

Director, Sustainability Education Programs, Chatham University

Sue Gentile directs sustainability education programs at Chatham University, where she oversees graduate and undergraduate sustainability curricula. Her work focuses on developing professionals equipped to lead sustainability initiatives across sectors, integrating social justice, environmental science, and policy into a comprehensive educational framework.