•
UTA TODAY
GREEN IS GOLD
Photo: UTA
goals of gender equality, industry, innovation, infrastructure and reduced inequalities influenced this year’s ranking. She cited the University’s opportunities for women, enrollment of first-generation students, research income and thriving cross-sector partnerships with corporations and nonprofits, saying they demonstrate UTA is ranked tops in the state and UTA’s capacity to foster a among the nation’s best for its efforts sustainable environment. toward sustainability • Linsey Retcofsky Tare credits the work of UTA’s regional center he University of Texas at Arlington ranked first in Texas of expertise, RCE of North Texas, as a major contributor to the and among the top American colleges and universities in University’s success. two international measures for sustainability, according to “Through RCE of North Texas, we partner with the public and the 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. private sectors to address how North Texas will confront the The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assess a environmental, social and economic challenges of the region in university’s progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable terms of growth and the increasing population,” Tare says. Development Goals, 17 global initiatives that encompass RCE of North Texas is part of a global network of organizations education, human rights, public health, community development that aim to empower and motivate their communities to increase and economic growth. sustainable development. Through the center, UTA collaborates UTA ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in two of with businesses, community associations, and regional, state and those areas: federal agencies to deliver innovative and engaging education • Sustainable Cities and Communities, which highlights efforts to initiatives to 16 counties in the state. “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and “Sustainability begins with quality education,” Tare says. sustainable.” “UTA and its partners are transforming North Texas through • Partnerships for the Goals, which encompasses efforts to improved access to teaching and learning resources that will “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the inspire individuals to engage complex systems and solve global global partnership for sustainable development.” challenges.” Meghna Tare, chief sustainability officer for UTA’s Institute for This is the third year the Times Higher Education Impact Sustainability and Global Impact, says the ranking recognizes Rankings have been calculated. They are the only global the strength of UTA’s diverse sustainability initiatives and performance tables that assess universities against the United partnerships in North Texas. Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The ranking system “We work with more than 70 organizations in the state provides comprehensive and balanced comparisons across three to address how our population uses, conserves and renews broad areas: research, outreach and stewardship. UTA’s ranking resources,” Tare says. “Our leadership in the region is clear. I is based on scores for the categories of good health and wellam thrilled for UTA to be ranked among the nation’s pioneers of being, quality education, gender equality, industry, innovation sustainable development.” and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and Tare says she believes the University’s contributions to the communities, and partnership for the goals.
T
42
ARLINGTON TODAY • June 2021 • arlingtontoday.com
