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Kirkwood a U.S. Department of Ed. Green Ribbon School

By April 22, 2015December 19th, 2018No Comments

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 22, 2015)–It was announced today that Kirkwood Community College has been selected as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.

Kirkwood is one of nine postsecondary institutions in the nation, and the only one in Iowa, to receive this honor. Prior to this national acclaim, Kirkwood had been recognized at the state level, which moved them on to consideration at the federal level.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss made the announcement.

“These honorees are compelling examples of the ways schools can help children build real-world skillsets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments,” Duncan said. “U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and deserve the spotlight for embodying strong examples of innovative learning and civic engagement. We also are thrilled to add institutions of higher education to the list of honorees this year for the first time in the award’s history.”

The award recognizes schools, districts and Iowa higher education facilities that utilize exemplary practices and resources in sustainability and environmental procedures. Nominees at the state and national level must demonstrate achievement in three categories, collectively known as pillars. Those pillars include:

  • Reduce environmental impact and costs
  • Improve the health and wellness of schools, students and staff
  • Provide environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways

These pillars help to support the postsecondary goals of reduced college costs, increased completion rates, higher rates of employment, and robust civic skills among graduates. The U.S. Department of Education encourages all of our nation’s schools to be healthier, safer and more sustainable.

For more information on the many ways Kirkwood contributes to use of environmentally friendly practices and the cultivation of courses that focus on sustainability, visit the Kirkwood Green website at www.kirkwood.edu/kirkwoodgreen.