Tips to Make Your Course More Sustainable
Reduce Printing
When you reduce unnecessary printing, you’re saving resources including paper, plastic, chemicals, and more.
Go Digital
Think about offering digital learning resources and allowing projects to be turned in online. Check out these helpful helpful tips !
Accessibility
Help students thrive by sharing accessibility resources to help create an inclusive atmosphere in your classroom.
Getting a Sustainability Attribute Code for Your Course
Interested in integrating sustainability more into your course material? Contact the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation for help.
Resources
A new Faculty Sustainability Resource Hub is coming soon!
In the meantime explore these helpful links.
- Campus as a Living Lab
- Courses with Sustainability Content
- LibGuide on Sustainability
- Accessibility Resources
Real College Survey
In Fall 2020, Pitt’s Campus Basic Needs Committee administered the Real College Survey in partnership with the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University. Results indicated that 43% of Pitt students experienced at least one form of basic needs insecurity in the 12 months prior to Fall 2020. While only 7% of students who experienced basic needs insecurity used emergency aid, another 47% of students had not even heard of the emergency aid programs available at Pitt.

Pitt Green Offices
Pursue a Pitt Green Office designation for your office or department.
Pitt Green Labs
Show your PI leadership by pursuing a Pitt Green Laboratory designation.
Funding Opportunities
Whether whether you need financial resources for research, a new idea, or a student group you advise, Pitt offers a wide selection of sustainability-focused funding opportunities for faculty and staff.
MCSI Faculty Fellows
The John C. Mascaro Faculty Fellowships in Sustainability serve to enhance the University’s mission of interdisciplinary excellence in research and education. Faculty members from all schools & disciplines across the University of Pittsburgh are encouraged to apply. Fellows and Scholars receive support for research inside and outside of their fields — and may decide to renew their fellowship for one additional year. Learn more from the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI). (Early Fall)
MCSI Reserach Seed Grants in Sustainability
Faculty grant proposals for interdisciplinary Pitt sustainability education and research initiatives open every Fall for Spring award.
Pitt Seed Project Funding
Annual funding for $50,000 projects with well-defined actions that will play an instrumental role in transforming the University of Pittsburgh. Applications should be led by faculty or staff, but are encouraged to include student involvement. Projects can include a range of activities, including: research ideas, academic programs, process improvement, diversity and inclusion, community and industry partnership development, outreach, methods of teaching and learning, workshops, lectures and enhancing the student experience. (Early Spring)
Pitt Momentum Funds
Internal funding supporting high-quality research, scholarship, and creative endeavors in 3 tiers, including significant innovative research; early stage planning and capacity building of large multidisciplinary projects; and scaling grants for detailed planning, proof of concept, and technical risk reduction projects. (Faculty)
Engage Pitt
Interested in using crowdfunding for your next sustainability project? Use EngagePitt to help fundraise for your next big idea!
Looking for a project idea for your class?

Dr. David Sanchez
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
David teaches the Sustainability Capstone courses for the Undergraduate Sustainability Certificate, winning the 2020 Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. His research is focused on sustainable water, food, innovation and global engagement.

Dr. Melissa Bilec
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
Co-director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, Melissa focuses her teaching and research on using the sustainable built environment as an integral solution to climate change. She is also directing the Covestro Circular Economy doctoral program.

Dr. Tony Kerzmann
Materials Science
As one of this year’s Leonard Peters Faculty Fellows, Tony co-teaches the 2 core Undergraduate Sustainability Certificate courses: “Current Issues” and “Sustainability Capstone.” He leads research projects on renewable energy sources and sustainability.
Affiliated Faculty

David Sanchez
Associate Director
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
(he/him)

Melissa Bilec
Special Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability & Associate Director
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation
(she/her)