The University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Sustainability was established in July 2018 to centralize campus-wide sustainability activities, strategies, and partnerships. Led by Executive Director of Sustainability, Dr. Aurora Sharrard, the Office of Sustainability leads University-wide sustainability strategy, activities, policies, collaborations, & partnerships to advance the Pitt Sustainability Plan (which includes 61 measurable goals across stewardship, exploration, community, and culture) and Pitt Climate Action Plan, (which elucidates the University’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037).
The University’s commitment to sustainable action is clear, with over 75 supporting staff members leading the charge across the campus and community. The Office of Sustainability ensures milestone progress and accomplishments are shared across the Pitt community through two principal staff members and sustainability unit leads, staff, and collaborators embedded in 5 operational divisions and 3 academic centers (Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, Center for Sustainable Business, and Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory). Along with contributing staff, students, and partners across the University, sustainability-affiliated faculty members collaborate through the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. .
The Office of Sustainability’s campus-wide efforts are also supported by student sustainability interns and student workers hosted in a wide variety of departments and business units; summer sustainability undergraduate research projects; and the 28+ student groups affiliated with the Student Office of Sustainability, who help infuse sustainability into the Pitt’s culture, values, and decision-making.
Pitt’s multilevel, interdisciplinary sustainability efforts on and off campus include the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Sustainability Committee, which currently has 4 subcommittees: Active Mobility Committee, Campus Tree Advisory Committee, Carbon Commitment Committee, and the Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee. Other contributing committees from across the University include:
- MCSI Faculty Sustainability Task Force
- Facilities’ Energy & Sustainability Committee
- Student Office of Sustainability’s SOOS Council
- Pitt-Bradford Sustainability Committee
Pitt is working to be a leader and innovator in sustainability, with a dedicated team in place to champion equitable, environmental, and economically balanced change, benefiting both people and the planet.
Learn more about us!
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| Dr. Aurora Sharrard (she/her) Executive Director of Sustainability, Office of Sustainability Read more |
Jennifer Barnes (she/her) Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Coordinator, Purchasing Services Read more |
Ellie Cadden (she/her) Sustainability Engagement Assistant, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Read more |
Samantha Chan (Ford)(she/her) Sustainability Projects Coordinator, Office of Sustainability Read more |
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| Chris Gassman (he/him) Associate Director, Center for Sustainable Business Read More |
Nick Goodfellow (he/him) Sustainability Coordinator, Business & Auxiliaries Read more |
Megan Guy (she/her) Outreach Coordinator, Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory Read more |
Gena Kovalcik (she/her) Co-Director Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Read more |
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| Erika Ninos (she/her) Sustainability Coordinator, Office of PittServes Read more |
Corey Robinson (she/her) Mobility Specialist, Parking & Transportation Read more |
Lisia De Lima Spellman (she/her) Sustainability Director, Pitt Eats by Compass Read more |
Ciara Stehley (she/her) Sustainability Program Assistant, Office of PittServes Read more |
Have a question or want to learn more about the Office of Sustainability? Read more here or contact us at sustainability@pitt.edu.
Updated: August 2021
