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Two female and a male student crouching as well as one male student standing in a wooded area working on a sustainability project

Sustainability at SNHU Striving to be a steward of the planet.

Our Mission

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is committed to creating a far-reaching, positive impact throughout our global community by empowering students and employees to advance a sustainable organization and culture. Consistent progress is made by convening stakeholders, measuring our work, and sharing knowledge and successes.

Our Goals

SNHU pursues these individual objectives to help advance our overarching mission.

Planning & Admin

Support environmental sustainability strategic planning that complements and synthesizes priorities within SNHU’s existing tactics.

Operations

Establish comprehensive operational frameworks to reduce our ecological footprint and support an environmentally sustainable model.

Carbon Neutrality

Remain dedicated to our signing of the Second Nature President’s Carbon Commitment, which requires a goal of carbon neutrality.

Academics

Instill a meaningful focus on environmental sustainability and equity in SNHU's academic structure, collective learning and identity.

Engagement

Motivate members of our community to become lifelong global citizens through a holistic approach to communication, education and incentives.

Have Questions or Ideas?

We want to hear them! And don’t forget to track our progress on Instagram — we’re always sharing updates.

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Earning Recognition

Bronze level STAR logo, Sustainabililty Tracking, Assessments & Rating System, a program of aashe

In 2023, SNHU was the proud recipient of a bronze rating using the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®). A huge factor in earning this recognition was minimizing our total source energy consumption. To date, we have reduced it by more than 21% per unit of floor area in campus and office facilities by implementing lighting control systems and replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs.

ISSA CIMS GB Certified with Honors logo 

Our steadfast commitment to sustainability and green cleaning was also recognized in 2024 by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, with a CIMS-Green Building certification. We are proud to hold this credential, as its mission is to improve performance in the areas of sustainable product usage, improved occupant wellness, asset preservation and waste diversion.

Making Impactful Connections

Second Nature: SNHU is a member of Second Nature's Climate Leadership Network, a program which holds colleges and universities accountable to accelerating climate action.

New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR): We are a sponsoring member of NHBSR and have hosted their annual Sustainability Awards for several years.

Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN): As an active member of PLAN, SNHU is steadfastly committed to collaborating with their team to achieve a zero-waste future.

Getting Involved

Students, employees and communities alike are encouraged to join our green initiatives, including:

  • SNHU Global Days of Service:
    A multi-month community service program in which alumni, students and employees come together across the globe to strengthen our communities.
  • The Sustainability Community of Practice:
    This organization connects employees interested in the business aspect of sustainability who can initiate educational efforts to improve usual practices.
  • Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO):
    SNHU’s paid VTO program affords employees the chance to get involved with nonprofit charitable organizations that positively impact their communities’ quality of life.
  • Sustainability Months:
    April and October are both chock-full of events designed to inspire the entire SNHU community to celebrate the planet.
  • SNHU Environmental Club:
    Members of this campus-based club facilitate participation in both outreach and education events.
  • Sustainable SNHU:
    An online student community where emerging sustainable leaders learn, promote and discuss sustainability and earth-conscious topics. 
  • The Student Eco-Rep Program:
    Eco-Reps are paid student leaders (campus and online) who work on sustainability-related projects and model/promote environmentally responsible behaviors. Their work encompasses the SNHU Arboretum, outdoor classrooms and more.

Outdoor Classroom Success

On the SNHU Campus?

Here, you'll find the team that pushes SNHU’s eco efforts forward — The Office of Sustainability. You’ll also spot the SNHU Arboretum, spanning 25 acres of forested wetland, and the sea of facilities we’ve optimized to save energy. Plus, this map will come in handy when you’re on the hunt for water refill stations, electric vehicle chargers and more.

SNHU Assistant Director of Sustainability Programs Pamela Backvagni speaking to a small group of students in SNHU’s outdoor classroom

Teaching a Green Curriculum

Leading the Charge

The Office of Sustainability at SNHU is at the helm of our planet-friendly initiatives.

Mike Weinstein, founding director of the Office of Sustainability at SNHU

Mike Weinstein

Founding Director

Mike Weinstein has a decade of teaching experience. In 2017, he established the SNHU Arboretum — the first to be internationally accredited in NH. He holds a PhD in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Antioch University.

m.weinstein@snhu.edu

Assistant Director of programs for the Office of Sustainability at SNHU

Pamela Beckvagni

Assistant Director of Programs

Pamela Beckvagni has over 25 years of program leadership, implementation, and assessment experience in alternative education, vocational services, sustainability, environmental and waste management, and higher ed.

p.beckvagni@snhu.edu

Jesse Carswell, Sustainability Business Analyst at SNHU

Jesse Carswell

Sustainability Business Analyst

Jesse Carswell has spent 10 years in higher ed sustainability working with programs, green funds and more. She holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Texas A&M and an MS in Environmental Policy Management from the University of Denver.

j.carswell@snhu.edu

Sustainability Reporting

We share these reports to remain transparent about our progress.

  • STARS report: A transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure sustainability performance.
  • SIMAP report: A carbon and nitrogen-accounting platform that can track, analyze, and improve campus-wide sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

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