Greenville Technical College Recognized Nationally as an Innovator in Sustainability Education

Being recognized for sustainability is important tous because protecting resources matters, said Dr. KeithMiller, president of Greenville Tech.  Sustainability is being ableto last and flourish.  As Greenville TechnicalCollege celebrates 50 years in this community, that’s what we’re allabout. We were established in 1962 to be an economic resource preparing thelabor 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 hubto a leading business community.

Recognition was based on changes in the way thecollege educates and operates. Green building science has been incorporated intothe Architectural and Construction Engineering Technology programs, whichinclude a new Solar Technician Certificate. The college also offers an OutdoorLiving and Learning Laboratory along the Reedy River providing a contextualizedlearning experience for students through sustainable curriculum modules.Students are able to apply concepts learned in traditional classroomenvironments in an outdoor environment as they learn about effective strategiesfor restoring the fragile freshwater watershed. Many short-term courses are alsooffered in the green jobs category through the college’s Corporate and CareerDevelopment Division for continuing learners. These offerings include everythingfrom the basics of green building to more comprehensive offerings such as theGreen Supply Chain Certificate.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)and its Sustainability Education and Economic Development (SEED) Centerrecognize Greenville Technical College as an emerginginnovator in the field of sustainability education, said Todd Cohen, SEED Center Director.  Greenville Technical College’s Outdoor Living and LearningLaboratory, which borders the Reedy River ecosystem, offers unique learningexperiences based on real life environmental problem solving forstudents.  We are pleased to showcase the college and its newgreen curriculum modules through our Colleges in Action Success Storyseries which recognizes community colleges for their work in preparingstudents 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. Thesecertifications indicate efficiency with water and energy usage along with use ofbuilding materials that have little impact on the environment. Employees areleading these changes; three have completed FurmanUniversity’s Diploma in Corporate Sustainability, and more staff membersare expected to complete the program this year. Changes are also underway in theway people reach the college. The community’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, arails-to-trails project, joins the Barton Campus to the cycling and walking paththat will eventually extend 22 miles.

The college began pursuing sustainability effortsseveral years ago, starting with a recycling coalition led by biology facultymembers that encouraged students and employees to recycle, reuse, and reduce.The group first celebrated Earth Day in 2008 withEarth Fest, an event aimed at leading the campus community toward environmentalresponsibility. The effort led to a strong partnership with Keep GreenvilleCounty Beautiful, part of Keep America Beautiful. Together, the college and KeepGreenville County Beautiful have developed a number of efforts on campusincluding a cigarette litter prevention program and participation inRecyleMania, a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college anduniversity recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to theircampus communities.

Other colleges and initiatives that have achievedSEED Center recognition include Technical College of theLowcountry along with Alfred State College, Austin Community College, BucksCounty Community College, Cape Cod CommunityCollege, Cedar Valley College, Columbia Gorge Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Connecticut’s Sustainable Operations: Alternative andRenewable Energy Initiative, Gateway TechnicalCollege, Hocking College, the IllinoisCommunity College System, Kern Community College, LakeshoreTechnical College, Lincoln Land CommunityCollege, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Madison Area Technical College, Mesalands Community College, NorthernMaine Community College, Oakland CommunityCollege, Santa Fe Community College, Seattle Central Community College, and St. Louis Community College.

About GreenvilleTechnical College
Greenville TechnicalCollege is a four-campus system where nearly 30,000 students are annuallypreparing 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 careerand personal development, Greenville Technical College gives employers a ready supply of skilled workers and provides students with aneducation that will help them succeed.

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