Greenville Technical College Recognized Nationally as an Innovator in Sustainability Education

GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Greenville Technical College has been recognized nationally as an innovator in sustainability education by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and its Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) Center. This puts the college in the company of 22 colleges across the country that are leaders in green/sustainable programming.

"Being recognized for sustainability is important to us because protecting resources matters," said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Tech.  "Sustainability is being able to last and flourish.  As Greenville Technical College celebrates 50 years in this community, that's what we're all about. We were established in 1962 to be an economic resource preparing the labor market for an increase and diversification of the state's industrial base. Since that time the college has been a part of Greenville County's transformation from a textile hub to a leading business community."

Recognition was based on changes in the way the college educates and operates. Green building science has been incorporated into the Architectural and Construction Engineering Technology programs, which include a new Solar Technician Certificate. The college also offers an Outdoor Living and Learning Laboratory along the Reedy River providing a contextualized learning experience for students through sustainable curriculum modules. Students are able to apply concepts learned in traditional classroom environments in an outdoor environment as they learn about effective strategies for restoring the fragile freshwater watershed. Many short-term courses are also offered in the "green jobs" category through the college's Corporate and Career Development Division for continuing learners. These offerings include everything from the basics of green building to more comprehensive offerings such as the Green Supply Chain Certificate.
"The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and its Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) Center recognize Greenville Technical College as an emerging innovator in the field of sustainability education," said Todd Cohen, SEED Center Director.  "Greenville Technical College's Outdoor Living and Learning Laboratory, which borders the Reedy River ecosystem, offers unique learning experiences based on real life environmental problem solving for students.  We are pleased to showcase the college and its new green curriculum modules through our Colleges in Action Success Story series which recognizes community colleges for their work in preparing students for careers that promote healthy and clean regions."  

Greenville Tech's infrastructure has changed, too, as the first LEED Silver certified building was celebrated late last year, and certification will be sought for a second building soon. These certifications indicate efficiency with water and energy usage along with use of building materials that have little impact on the environment. Employees are leading these changes; three have completed Furman University's Diploma in Corporate Sustainability, and more staff members are expected to complete the program this year. Changes are also underway in the way people reach the college. The community's Swamp Rabbit Trail, a rails-to-trails project, joins the Barton Campus to the cycling and walking path that will eventually extend 22 miles.

The college began pursuing sustainability efforts several years ago, starting with a recycling coalition led by biology faculty members that encouraged students and employees to recycle, reuse, and reduce. The group first celebrated Earth Day in 2008 with Earth Fest, an event aimed at leading the campus community toward environmental responsibility. The effort led to a strong partnership with Keep Greenville County Beautiful, part of Keep America Beautiful. Together, the college and Keep Greenville County Beautiful have developed a number of efforts on campus including a cigarette litter prevention program and participation in RecyleMania, a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities.

Other colleges and initiatives that have achieved SEED Center recognition include Technical College of the Lowcountry along with Alfred State College, Austin Community College, Bucks County Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Cedar Valley College, Columbia Gorge Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Connecticut's Sustainable Operations: Alternative and Renewable Energy Initiative, Gateway Technical College, Hocking College, the Illinois Community College System, Kern Community College, Lakeshore Technical College, Lincoln Land Community College, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Madison Area Technical College, Mesalands Community College, Northern Maine Community College, Oakland Community College, Santa Fe Community College, Seattle Central Community College, and St. Louis Community College.

About Greenville Technical College

Greenville Technical College is a four-campus system where nearly 30,000 students are annually preparing for the strongest careers of today and tomorrow. Established in 1962, the college's mission is to drive personal and economic growth through learning. With 127 curriculum program choices along with short-term training for career and personal development, Greenville Technical College gives employers a ready supply of skilled workers and provides students with an education that will help them succeed.

For more information about Greenville Technical College, its programs, professors and partnerships, visit www.gvltec.edu.

Contact:
Joshua Friesen, 864.250.8994, [email protected]
Becky Mann, 864.250.8305, [email protected]

SOURCE Greenville Technical College