
By Alicia Lutz
The College of Charleston has earned its first STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
The College of Charleston has earned its first STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

“Earning our first STARS Gold rating is a significant milestone for the College of Charleston and a testament to the collective efforts of students, faculty, staff and campus partners who have worked to embed sustainability into every aspect of campus life,” says Nicole Killen, director of sustainability. “This recognition reflects years of commitment, collaboration and innovation, while also inspiring us to continue advancing our sustainability goals and preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing world. Sustainability is no longer a standalone initiative at the College of Charleston – it is increasingly woven into how we teach, learn, operate and engage with our community.”
“Sustainability remains a core institutional priority, demonstrated through our progress toward carbon neutrality, zero waste, holistic integrated learning and a vibrant culture of sustainability,” Killen and Brad Weiland, vice president for Facilities Management, wrote in the STARS application letter. “The College of Charleston aspires to be a leader in sustainability education, research and practice. We are proud of the accomplishments highlighted in this report and remain committed to continuous improvement and alignment with the standards set by AASHE and our peers in higher education.”
The College’s STARS report provides a full list of the College’s sustainability efforts and accomplishments.
“The College of Charleston has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts,” says Meghan Fay Zahniser, AASHE executive director. “STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts.”
ABOUT AASHE AND THE STARS PROGRAM
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.
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