Sustainability Infused across the Curriculum at a Minority Serving Liberal Arts Institution: A Case Study

Abstract

A critical challenge facing institutions of higher education is the integration of a sustainable energy curriculum into interdisciplinary education. This case study will evaluate the campus-wide development, adoption, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary sustainability education, at a small liberal arts college. The process and outcomes of the development of this sustainability curriculum are reported. The efficacy of the development and adoption of the curriculum was assessed by student surveys and faculty interviews. The interview results indicated substantial faculty interest and approval of implementing sustainability education at the institution. Survey results reveal an increased interest in pursuing studies and careers in sustainability and energy among students. Upon the completion of the study it was concluded that the sustainability initiative was successfully developed and infused at a historically black college and university (HBCU). The implications of this study advance the importance of incorporating sustainability education within all academic disciplines throughout a minority-serving, small, liberal arts college to increase the presence of African Americans in future careers in energy, green jobs or energy policy/economics.