FGCU again recognized as a leader for sustainability curriculum and research
- Drew Sterwald
- Sustainability
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos | Christopher Noonan, Video
4 – minute read
Florida Gulf Coast University has been designated a top performer in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, which honors high-achieving colleges and universities for demonstrating sustainability best practices. Out of 167 doctoral/research institutions, FGCU ranked sixth for its sustainability curriculum.
FGCU earned this distinction for its outstanding performance in two key impact areas in the index — curriculum and research — placing it among the leading institutions globally in sustainability education and innovation.
An international publication of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, the index measures self-reported institutional data through its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). FGCU earned an overall Gold STARS rating – it’s fourth time in a row, having received the top status in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2024. Universities must resubmit their information at least every three years to maintain their index rankings.
“We’re proud to be recognized in the Sustainable Campus Index for our leadership in sustainability-focused academics and research,” said Kathleen Crawford, environmental sustainability coordinator in FGCU’s Department of Environmental Health & Safety, who compiled the university’s submission.
“This distinction highlights FGCU’s commitment to advancing ecological understanding and building resilient systems through interdisciplinary collaboration. From field-based studies to innovative research on sustainable resource management, our campus continues to expand knowledge that supports thriving natural and human communities.”
Aligning with FGCU’s Strategic Plan
The Sustainable Campus Index ranks top performers in more than a dozen impact areas. The curriculum category assesses efforts to equip students with the tools to lead positive change through classroom instruction and applied or experiential learning. FGCU’s recognition in this area reflects its strong commitment to embedding sustainability across academic programs and learning outcomes, Crawford said. Championing sustainable practices and resiliency is one of the five key goals in FGCU’s 2024-29 Strategic Plan.
“While the University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future has long served as a foundational course in sustainability education, FGCU has recently expanded its sustainability course graduation requirement to include a growing menu of approved courses,” Crawford said. “These new offerings are designed to reflect the breadth of academic programs and disciplines across the university, while also aligning with Southwest Florida’s evolving workforce and resiliency needs.”
This integrated approach ensures students from all fields can engage meaningfully with sustainability, aligning with FGCU’s mission to cultivate environmentally responsible citizens.
FGCU was also a top performer for research conducted by academic departments and research centers and institutes. The impact area also considers incentives for sustainability research, responsible research and innovation, and support for open access to published research.
FGCU achieved a perfect 100% score in the research category, highlighting its robust support for sustainability-related scholarship and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“FGCU’s sustainability research spans critical areas such as climate resilience, water quality, biodiversity, sustainable engineering and community engagement, with a focus on addressing real-world challenges in Southwest Florida and beyond,” Crawford said.
Among the research highlighted in FGCU’s submission to the association: The Water School’s interdisciplinary approach to water-related issues such as coastal resilience, ecosystem health and water quality; Seidler Undergraduate Research Fellowships; Whitaker Institute for STEM Education mini-grants; and the ScholarsCommons open-access repository for publicly sharing faculty research.
“Through these programs, FGCU empowers students and faculty to engage in meaningful research that contributes to environmental stewardship, regional resilience and global sustainability solutions,” Crawford said.
FGCU also earned perfect marks for tapping into the living laboratory of its campus, enabling students to engage directly with sustainability practices through campus operations and infrastructure.
Driving solutions through leadership
FGCU’s achievement as a top performer underscores not only its dedication to advancing sustainability but also the resilience of higher education at a time of significant global and societal challenges, according to Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
“Your progress serves as inspiration for students, staff and faculty everywhere who are working to integrate sustainability into their daily lives and professional practice,” she said. “Together, the collective achievements of all STARS participants illustrate the power of higher education to drive solutions at scale and to model the leadership needed for a more sustainable future.”
View the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index