The Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Sustainability helps the University be a leader in balancing equity, environment, and economics so that current and future generations can thrive.
The Council recognizes that sound sustainability practices, operations, infrastructure, curriculum, research, and partnerships benefit the institution, the Pittsburgh region, and the community at large. With representation from staff, faculty, and students across a variety of departments and expertise, the Council is commissioned to:
- Lead and educate by example by integrating sustainable practices into all areas of University operations, academics, research, and public service;
- Identify and support implementation of practices and standards that preserve and promote the stewardship and replenishment of energy, water, materials, and other resources;
- Strive towards increased social equity and access on-campus and in our communities; being respectful partners of renewal.
- Work to align our economic decision-making with ecological principles and human integrity, reflecting present-day and intergenerational equity so that we may regenerating life through networks of reciprocity.
- Engage faculty, students, and staff in sustainability exploration, including the development of meaningful curriculum, scholarly research, innovation, and outreach activities to inspire future generations to consider sustainability in all that they pursue;
- Promote and enhance the visibility of sustainability initiatives across campus and within the community at large through education, promotion, and action-oriented community partnerships; and
- Foster linkages among and within University departments for the purpose of advancing, achieving, innovating, collaborating, promoting, informing, and reporting on sustainability efforts.
Members
- CHAIR: Aurora Sharrard, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, Office of Sustainability
- Jennifer Barnes, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Manager, Strategic Sourcing
- Melissa Bilec, Special Assistant to the Provost on Sustainability; Co-Director, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation; Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Justin Dandoy, Director of Community Affairs, Engagement & Community Affairs
- Keith Duval, Associate Director of Environmental Programs, Environmental Health & Safety
- Rachel Garcia, Student Managing Director, Student Office of Sustainability
- Nicholas Goodfellow, Sustainability Manager, Business, Hospitality, & Auxiliary Services
- Dustin Gray, Executive Associate Athletic Director for Administration, Athletics
- Susanna Hamilton, Student Sustainability Engagement Manager, Student Affairs
- Gena Kovalcik, Co-Director, Administration & External Relations; Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
- Will Mitchell, Facility Services Director, Facilities Management
- Nathaniel Pettit, Doctoral Student, Applied Developmental Psychology, School of Education
- Cindy Wertz, Chief of Staff, Information Technology
Liaisons
- Drew Armstrong, Director of Architectural Studies and Associate Professor, Department of History of Art & Architecture
- Gina Bleck, Vice Chancellor of Planning, Design, & Construction; Business & Operations
- Michael Boninger, Associate Dean of Sustainability, Health Sciences; Distinguished Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine; Chief Medical Sustainability Officer, UPMC
- Dan Camarda, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Government Relations
- Mark Collins, Teaching Professor, Environmental Studies, Geology & Environmental Science
- Shanel Divito, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Human Resources
- Evyn Dowd, Undergraduate Student & Student Director, Pitt Green Fund Advisory Board
- Dan Fisher, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Operations & Maintenance, Facilities Management
- Tom Hitter, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Policy Development and Management, Office of Policy Development & Management
- David Hornyak, Assistant Dean, Honors College
- Matt Kropf, Director of Energy Institute, Assistant Professor of Energy Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
- Gretchen Natter, Assistant Dean of Students for Community and Inclusion, Student Affairs
- Jonathan Pearson, Director of Mobility, Office of Mobility
- Jennifer Ponce Cori, Doctoral Student, Education
- Emmy Ray, Sustainability Director, Pitt Eats by Chartwells
- Lila Rose, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor
- David V. P. Sanchez, Assistant Director, Education & Outreach, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation; Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Robert Strauss, Director of Administration & Operations, Office of Innovation & Economic Partnerships
- Matthew Sterne, Vice Chancellor for Business Services, Business, Hospitality, & Auxiliary Services
- Laura Zullo, Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management
- VACANT, Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing
- VACANT, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
- VACANT, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
This University-wide body is supported by a number of committees, including:
- Active Mobility Committee
- Campus Tree Advisory Committee
- Carbon Commitment Committee
- Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee
- Sustainable Laboratories Committee
The Council also collaborates closely with several other University-focused committees, including:
- Facilities' Sustainability & Utilities Working Group
- MCSI Faculty Sustainability Task Force
- Pitt-Bradford’s Sustainability Committee
- Student Office of Sustainability’s (SOOS) Steering Committee
Looking to get involved at either the topical or University level? Contact us!