Pitt Sustainability Efforts Recognized by Peers and Community

AASHE STARS Gold

The University of Pittsburgh has achieved AASHE STARS Gold for the first time. Three years after achieving its first ever Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (AASHE STARS) rating (Silver), Pitt is proud to again be recognized for its sustainability accomplishments over the last three years with an AASHE STARS Gold rating (valid through 2024). MCSI leadership played a key role in the submission. The University accounted for 258 sustainability-

related courses across 41 distinct departments. Peruse Pitt’s full AASHE STARS documentation here.

Pitt Commits to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2037

The University of Pittsburgh has committed to becoming carbon neutral on its Pittsburgh campus by 2037, its 250th anniversary. Through partnerships, efficiencies, renewable sources, and more, we will build on the success of our Sustainability Plan and existing GHG reduction of 22% since 2008 to reach carbon neutrality. Melissa Bilec serves as a member of this leadership team and has led the GHG inventories. Watch video here.

Pitt Sustainability Dashboards

Special recognition and thanks to Jonathan Coles (SSOE ’20), who has helped create all Pitt Sustainability Dashboards with Pitt’s Office of Sustainability to-date. The project was initiated with the 2019 MCSI Summer Undergraduate Research Program and is advised by Dr. Aurora Sharrard (Sustainability), with initial input by Dr. Melissa Bilec, and Dr. Michael Blackhurst (UCSUR). All Interactive Pitt Sustainability Dashboards

2021 Pitt Sustainability Champions

In recognition of their leadership and commitment to Pitt Sustainability, 25 members of the University community were selected as 2021 Pitt Sustainability Champions. These Champions represent undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff from 10 different academic departments and 14 different offices. Learn more about our Champions here.

Undergraduate Students

Hannah Chen, Health Information Management Anna Coleman, Global Studies Julianna Cooper, Geology and Enviro Science, Political Science Zachary Delaney, Geology and Enviro Science Sydney DuBose, Geology and Enviro Science Maya Knee, French and Italian, Political Science Anfernee La Cruz, Geology and Environmental Science Liz Logan, Geology and Enviro Science Louis Tierno, Geology and Enviro Science Anfernee La Cruz, Geology and Enviro Science Gabrielle Sampson, Geology and Enviro Science

Graduate Students

Eric Raabe, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, CONNECT

Jessica Vaden, Civil and Environmental Engineering Kelsey Wolfe, Administrative and Policy Studies, Office of Pitt Serves

Faculty

Tony Kerzmann, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Staff

Kim Barlow, Office of University Communications Caitlin Courtney, Pitt Eats Joshua Jones, Department of Chemistry Will Mitchell, Office of Facilities Management Kristin Olexa, Purchasing Services William Parker, Pitt Eats Dez Stuart, Office of PittServes Timothy Howland, Pitt Eats Monica Rattigan, University Store Meagan Sotirokos, Maggie & Stella’s Ciara Stehley, Office of PittServes

“We see you; we appreciate you. This has been an incredibly challenging year. So everything you have done to increase the culture of sustainability on the Pitt campus is seen, is appreciated. And we thank you." -- Erika Ninos, Sustainability, Student Affairs