SUNY Sullivan is delighted to announce the college’s participation in the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability pilot. This national innovative initiative is designed to recognize and celebrate higher education institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate action.
SUNY Sullivan will join 20 other institutions in the effort. Led by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education (ACE), the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability emphasizes career preparation in sustainability fields and fostering transformative change in higher education. Institutions in the initiative will undergo a rigorous self-assessment process, showcase current sustainability initiatives, identify areas for continuous improvement, and set ambitious goals for the future. The pilot will facilitate sharing best practices and innovative strategies. SUNY Sullivan’s participation in the pilot underscores its longstanding commitment to sustainability and its dedication to preparing students for careers in a rapidly changing world.
The Carnegie Foundation defines sustainability in higher education as a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that integrates environmental stewardship, resilience and adaptation, and societal well-being. Participating institutions will undergo a rigorous self-assessment process to highlight their achievements, set strategic goals for continuous improvement, foster transformative change, and share best practices across the higher education sector. Additionally, participating institutions will explore opportunities to foster deeper collaborations with campus and community partners.
“Participation in the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability is not just a commitment to progress—it’s a declaration that sustainability is integral to education, community, and the future we collectively build,” said SUNY Sullivan President David Potash.
“The Elective Classification for Sustainability recognizes how institutions of higher education are essential to the future of American innovation and progress, within and beyond their classrooms,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. “These pilot institutions are helping to forge the way.”
“ACE is proud to partner with the Carnegie Foundation on this critical initiative,” said Ted Mitchell, president of ACE. “The Sustainability Elective Classification will help colleges and universities demonstrate their leadership and innovation in advancing sustainability across all aspects of their missions.”
The pilot program brings together 21 diverse institutions from across the United States and Puerto Rico, including minority-serving institutions (MSIs), community colleges, rural institutions, research universities, land-grant institutions, and liberal arts colleges. This diversity ensures robust testing of the classification framework, which will be refined based on feedback and insights from the pilot participants. The final framework is set to launch in early 2026, enabling more institutions to participate in this transformative initiative.
The pilot program will focus on refining the classification’s definition, criteria, and sustainability indicators. It aims to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for institutions of all sizes and types while aligning the framework with existing sustainability standards and practices. This groundbreaking initiative has been made possible through the generous support of the Lumina Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and the Gates Foundation.
For more information about the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, please contact Sean Welsh, Vice President for Administrative Services, 845-434-5750 ext. 3160, or email swelsh@sunysullivan.edu, or visit carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications/sustainability.