Academics
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing students with the highest quality education possible while offering immersive learning experiences designed to equip students with the tools necessary to find solutions to complex problems facing the Richmond community and the world. Sustainability is a growing focus of many courses, degrees and certificate programs with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement and systems thinking.
Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (ISSE)
Established in 2022, the ISEE provides a forum for VCU students and faculty to address the climate and energy crisis by pursuing innovative scientific, technological, policy and social justice solutions.
Addressing sustainable clean energy and the environment is a complex issue. The ISEE was established to coordinate and facilitate collaboration across the varied disciplines of study and support multidisciplinary collaborations across departments, schools and colleges at VCU, as well as national and international collaborations. At VCU, the ISEE provides educational opportunities that supplement and build upon the current sustainable energy and environment curriculum at VCU, such as courses, guest lectures, workshops, research projects and mentorship. At the community and societal level, the ISEE is building partnerships with government agencies, policymakers and nonprofit organizations that work to address the climate crisis.
Visit the ISSE website for more information.
VCU School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
The new School of Life Sciences and Sustainability, which will bring together VCU Life Sciences and the Department of Biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, will administer and oversee biological, environmental, life and sustainability sciences academic programming, research and other relevant initiatives at VCU.
Certificate in Sustainable Innovation
The Certificate in Globalization and Sustainability is designed to provide students in any VCU baccalaureate program the option of adding a formal certificate program in sustainability and sustainable approaches to problem-solving. The Certificate in Sustainable Innovation will use a systems-thinking approach to problems of sustainability across all of the academic disciplines.
Microgreens lab
In 2020, VCU Sustainability partnered with VCU Environmental Studies faculty to establish a microgreens lab course that focuses on sustainable indoor food production. Students learn about soil science, food safety and more, while also gaining hands-on experience growing microgreens and hydroponic vegetable crops in the campus greenhouse.
Other sustainability education opportunities
VCU offers students a number of opportunities to pursue sustainability-related certificates, programs and degrees and prepare our next generation of sustainability leaders. For a full list, visit the VCU Bulletin website and type "sustainability" in the search bar.