Gateway Technical College was one of five exemplary community colleges to be presented with an American Association of Community College (AACC) Green Genome Award today. The five awards were issued as part of AACC’s expanding national effort to support environmentally sustainable practices, programs, and job training at the nation’s almost 1,200 community colleges.
The Green Genome Awards, created by AACC’s Sustainability Education and Economic Development Center (SEED) are evaluated in four key areas critical to holistic green college transformation: community engagement, governance, program design and delivery, and strategic partnerships. Gateway was recognized for the Strategic Partnerships category.
“Partnerships with our business community help strengthen Gateway’s ability to provide real-world training and to continue its goal of being a leader in sustainable practices. We strive to continuously improve our educational and ‘green’ practices and our business partners are an essential part of that effort,” says Stephanie Sklba, Gateway vice president, community and government relations, who also oversees the college’s sustainability efforts.
“We are proud to receive this AACC award. We will continue to reach for new and innovative ways to partner with industry in the area of sustainability and to engage our students in sustainable training practices which today’s students should have for today and tomorrow’s careers. This training benefits our students as well as our local economy.”
Gateway will be awarded $7,500 plus a set of state-of-the-art Bahco brand Snap-on tools and horticulture equipment. The awards are sponsored by Snap-on.
“AACC is thrilled to recognize colleges like Gateway that have not only prepared a skilled workforce, but have also become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green and sustainable economy,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC President and CEO.
“Through the SEED Center, AACC is providing community colleges an important roadmap to connect and integrate campus sustainability practices and clean economy-related education and workforce development.”
In naming Gateway as the winner for the Strategic Partnerships category, SEED says: “Gateway Technical College is poised to meet the needs of the green economy with more than 400 committed industry partners who advise on workforce and market trends. … Its regional impact reaches the business community through sustainability seminars and connects with four-year universities through transfer agreements, which truly build paths to clean energy jobs.”
Other winners of the award include:
Greenfield Community College, Massachusetts (Overall); Lane Community College, Oregon (Governance); McHenry County College, Illinois (Community Engagement); Moraine Valley Community College, Illinois (Program Design & Delivery).
