Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education is a 501 association of higher education institutions headquartered in Philadelphia. The association aims to improve sustainable practices in higher education by advocacy of sustainable innovation. AASHE encourages people involved in education to promote sustainable development to their communities.
AASHE is an official partner of the Sustainable Development Goals program of the United Nations, the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Initiative, the U.S. Green Building Council, and The Princeton Review.
The journal of AASHE is Sustainability and Climate Change, published by Mary Ann Liebert.
History
AASHE was founded in December 2005 in Portland, Oregon. At the time of their founding, they had two staff members, of which Judy Walton was the first executive director.Their main office is currently located in Philadelphia, though they have also been located in Boston and Denver.
Conference
AASHE organizes an annual Conference, the "AASHE Annual Conference & Expo". It was held in different locations in the United States from 2006 to 2019, with each year having a different theme. The AASHE Conference was re-established in 2022 in a virtual format.The purpose of the conference is to be a venue for institutions, companies, and educators to collaborate in maximizing the sustainable impact of higher education. The conference is intended to be an opportunity for administrators to connect with companies and other institutions to exchange sustainable ideas and innovations.
STARS
The AASHE STARS program is a way for institutions to be tracked and ranked on their progress in developing sustainable solutions for their communities. An institution can be awarded a Platinum, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Reporter designation.The STARS program tracks multiple factors in an institution's overall sustainability, including purchasing of sustainably-sourced products, community outreach, and offerings of sustainability courses. Adherence to any of the factors is self-reported.