The Project Certified to Sustain will subsidize three certificate programs through the collaboration of the College of Engineering. The certificates offered include Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP), LEED Green Associate, and Green Globes Emerging Professional. The goal is to equip future leaders with the skills and credentials necessary to lead environmentally responsible projects while fostering a culture of sustainability on campus. The project will provide support for students pursuing certification by offering study resources, peer study groups, and access to online training modules. After achieving certifications, to ensure student involvement on campus, students will be tasked to identify campus sustainability problems and work to solve and take on these challenges.
An impressive 67 students showed interest in receiving one or more of the offered certificates! A total of 46 students across both engineering and non-engineering majors were accepted into the program. In the cohort, there were eight Freshmen, six sophomores, 17 juniors, eight seniors, and seven graduate students. Participants underwent peer onboarding and progressed on their certification process until the end of the spring 2025 semester.
Three study sessions were hosted to provide encouragement and an opportunity to study together. Students also attended the U.S. Green Building Council Tucson chapter's quarterly in-person gathering. While there was strong interest in sustainability certifications, student participation and commitment were inconsistent, as involvement is difficult due to students’ demanding schedules and competing academic priorities, resulting in lower certificate completion rates. Ultimately, 21 students completed certifications, amassing 175 hours of training.
Student Project Managers sought to increase outreach efforts to emphasize the benefits of these certifications for career development by inviting industry partners to help students see their long-term value. They will continue to explore opportunities to bring in guest speakers or mentors who have already earned these certifications to provide firsthand insights and guidance.
