Catawba College’s Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion (EDJI) Task Force received the inaugural Racial Equity and Sustainability Collaborations Award by the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) on Thursday, December 9. AASHE bestows its prestigious awards on the institutions and individuals that help lead higher education to a sustainable future.
“It’s an absolute dream,” task force co-chair and associate professor of environmental policy and advocacy Mercedes Quesada-Embid said. She added that the task force is honored by the award and believes it validates the hard and meaningful work of the near 40-member body of task force members.
Catawba was named as a finalist for the international award in November. The majority of other institutions in the running were much larger schools out of a field of over 360 applicants. Finalists in other categories were from both the US and other countries and included schools such as: Catawba College, University of Utah, University of California – Santa Cruz, Portland Community College, and the entire California State University system. Entries were judged on overall impact, innovation, stakeholder involvement, clarity, and other criteria specific to each category.
“The 2021 award winners demonstrate an inspiring passion for solving some of the world’s most complex challenges. They are truly pioneering the campus sustainability movement,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.
The AASHE Sustainability Awards provide global recognition to the individuals and organizations leading the higher education sustainability movement. With the help of volunteer judges, this program raises the visibility of high-impact projects, pioneering research, and student leadership that helps to disseminate innovations and inspire continued progress toward environmental, social and economic health.
“This representation of the important nexus between social justice and ecological sustainability is amazing,” Quesada-Embid said. “To think about the schools were in the running with is incredible. It is truly inspiring and uplifting to have been recognized by AASSHE.”
The EDJI Task Force was started in Summer 2020 in response to the difficult realities society at large was facing and due to Catawba not yet having an office of diversity and inclusion.
Some of the work the EDJI task force has taken on “ensures that students and employees are better supported and provides leadership that aligns with Catawba’s goals of creating a place of belonging,” said Dr. ChaMarra Saner, associate professor of Chemistry and co-chair of the EDJI task force.
Some of the EDJI membership shared a few additional thoughts on the award.
“Sustainability without justice is incomplete,” said Luke Dollar, Chair of Catawba’s Department of Environment and Sustainability. “AASHE’s recognition of how we holistically approach and integrate both is a welcome affirmation.”
Dr. Andrew Jacobson, assistant professor of GIS and Conservation, added “I appreciate EDJI because it does not simply dwell in the past, but looks forward and outward, to make positive change.”
Dean of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Dr. Jim Hand, stated that EDJI’s diverse representation allows for “hard conversations and strategic planning for solutions.”
Long-time community leader and adjunct professor at Catawba, Dr. Kim Porter, noted that “Nothing is more important than to act on what we call ‘inclusive’.”
To learn more about AASHE’s Sustainability Awards programs, please visit http://www.aashe.org/get-involved/awards/.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college conveniently located in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, Catawba is a learning community providing students unique opportunities to discover their vocation, calling, passions, and purpose as they prepare to reach their highest potential. The College offers more than 70 undergraduate and three graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathway. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
About AASHE
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world's future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook and Twitter.
