Brief notes for program evaluation of Fall ‘24-25 with the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS) 

Program Overview 

The Sustainability Graduate Fellowship Program, currently housed within the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS), has continued to demonstrate significant value for The Evergreen State College. Originally managed by the Office of Sustainability, the program transitioned to CCAS this fall quarter following leadership changes. Recognizing the program’s critical role in advancing sustainability initiatives and student learning, CCAS ensured its continuation and integration into our broader climate action goals. 

Impact and Key Achievements 

The fellows have been instrumental in driving tangible progress across campus sustainability initiatives, providing both operational support and thought leadership. Below are highlights of their contributions: 

1. Advancing Sustainability Metrics 
   • Fellows played a key role in AASHE STARS reporting, identifying areas for improvement to feasibly elevate Evergreen from Silver to Gold status. 
   • Their insights have informed strategies to enhance Evergreen’s sustainability performance with high-impact, low-lift actions. 
   • Historically they have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions reporting, gaining hands-on experience with institutional sustainability assessments. 
2. Land Stewardship and Policy Development 
   • Fellows supported the development of a Land Stewardship Initiative, emphasizing ecologically sustainable and Indigenous-informed practices. This work has since been absorbed into the Space and Land Use Group (SLUG). 
   • Their collaboration with SLUG has enhanced campus governance protocols, ensuring sustainable land management practices are incorporated into decision-making. 
3. Flagship Projects 
   • Thunderdome Pavilion Solar PV Array: Fellows led and supported the successful $256,000 grant initiative to install a solar photovoltaic array on the Thunderdome pavilion, contributing to campus renewable energy goals. 
   • Bulkhead Removal Project: Fellows accelerated this project through historical, ecological, and cultural research, reducing the timeline from 1-2 years to under one academic quarter. 
   • Contributions include educational signage development, public communication, and stakeholder engagement with faculty, students, and community members. 
   • They designed frameworks for future undergraduate research and ecological monitoring at the project site. 
4. Enhancing Communication and Campus Engagement 
   • Fellows have developed educational tools such as ArcGIS Story Maps to highlight sustainability elements within Evergreen’s built and natural environments. Identifying lost LEED certification records/resources and have surprised facilities staff with their research and innovative findings. 
   • They supported literature reviews and conceptual work for sustainability definitions and frameworks to guide campus initiatives. For later integration into our planned campus-wide Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). 
   • Currently are playing an active role in organizing events like the Rachel Carson Forum, and public Town Halls on project, ensuring alignment with campus themes and community interests. 
5. Skill Development and Professional Growth The program has provided graduate students with significant professional development opportunities, including: 
   • Training in project management tools (e.g., Gantt charts, online platforms). 
   • Exposure to interdisciplinary work such as graphic design, public speaking, and stakeholder communications. 
   • Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for research and scientific design, enhancing undergraduate research pathways. 

Current Scope and Future Goals 

Currently, the program supports five graduate fellows: two first years working 10 hours per week, one second year working 20 hours. And another full 20-hour first year as CCAS wanted to utilize all the qualified candidates. Looking ahead, CCAS aims to: 

• Expand the fellows’ involvement in policy development, particularly evaluating Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and their alignment with the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). 

• Compile a comprehensive Sustainability Timeline documenting Evergreen’s past achievements, current initiatives, and future goals within the Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). 

• Support curriculum development, undergraduate research mentorship, and project management training. 

Conclusion 

The Sustainability Graduate Fellowship Program has proven invaluable for accelerating Evergreen’s sustainability goals, fostering interdisciplinary student learning, and advancing campus initiatives. With continued funding, the program holds immense potential to expand its impact through: 

• Additional renewable energy and infrastructure projects. 

• Expanded research, public engagement, and policy development. 

• Deeper integration of sustainability into campus operations and student experiences. 

CCAS is deeply committed to nurturing the program’s success and ensuring it serves as a cornerstone for Evergreen’s leadership in sustainability and climate action. 

For additional information or updates, please contact the Center for Climate Action and Sustainability.a

This year’s Fall 2024-25 Fellowship Students include: 

Appendix: 

1. Link to Logic Model for Commenting: Logic Model [Fellowship].vsdx 
2. One-pager on Bulkhead Removal Study: First Draft 
3. Thunderdome Solar Array Article: Read more here 
4. Meet the Student-Staff: https://sites.evergreen.edu/ccas/meet-the-team/