The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has been selected as one of the pioneering 21 institutions nationwide to participate in a new Carnegie Elective Classification focused on sustainability.
The initiative, led by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, is designed to recognize higher education institutions that embed sustainability into their core missions. Colleges and universities participating in this pilot cohort will conduct a comprehensive self-assessment to showcase achievements, identify areas for continued growth and contribute to shaping the program before its launch in 2026.
“Participating in this Carnegie pilot program is a powerful opportunity to highlight the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s leadership in sustainability,” said Morgan Hartman, sustainability manager of the university’s Office of Sustainability. “Being selected as one of 21 affirms our commitment to responsible resource management and innovation. We look forward to sharing UNL’s progress on a national stage.”
Participating in this Carnegie pilot program is a powerful opportunity to highlight the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s leadership in sustainability.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln earned a gold rating in 2022 from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System — a national program organized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Currently, 181 colleges and universities hold an active gold rating.
The university’s commitments to sustainability continue to grow, integrating stewardship practices into operations campuswide. Successes include a partnership with University Housing to launch the Sustainability Ambassadors program, a peer-to-peer education initiative that aims to connect with students; University Operations’ efforts to efficiently maintain and operate campus buildings, including a recent Green Business of the Year honor from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; and implementation of the All in the Hall recycling program.
Additional programs that elevate sustainability efforts include UNL being named a silver Bicycle Friendly University, Outdoor Adventures holding a platinum Bicycle Friendly Business award and Landscape Services’ four-star accreditation with the Professional Grounds Management Society.
“Pursuing this Carnegie designation is a natural next step in advancing our sustainability efforts as a public land-grant university. It allows us to showcase our successes, assess progress and share the story of campus stewardship in a meaningful way,” said Madeline Yeatts, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Sustainability. “We’re excited for the opportunity to elevate the important work being done by so many campus stakeholders and contribute to shaping this national initiative. UNL is one of the only land-grant and agriculture-focused schools represented in the pilot, so we think it is very important to bring those perspectives and strengths to the program.”
The Office of Sustainability will soon begin reaching out across campus to gather information for the Carnegie application. Key stakeholders will be contacted directly to provide details, and all faculty, staff and students are encouraged to share their related sustainability efforts. Stories and ideas can be shared by contacting the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@unl.edu.
The framework for the report assesses institutional efforts across multiple dimensions, including curriculum, research, operations, workforce development and community engagement. The program emphasizes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that integrates environmental and economic stewardship, climate resilience and societal well-being.
Universities that earn the Elective Classification for Sustainability will be announced in early 2026.
Learn more about the Carnegie pilot program in sustainability, including a list of the 21 participating institutions, here.
