Edgewood College: Introduces graduate certificate program in sustainability leadership

Contact: Ed Taylor, Director of Marketing & Communications

608-663-2333

Madison, Wis. (April 7, 2010) – Edgewood College is pleased to announce its new Sustainability Leadership Graduate Certificate Program. The first cohort in the Program will begin coursework in August 2010.

Offered through the School of Integrative Studies, the Sustainability Leadership Program is one of the first stand-alone, truly interdisciplinary graduate certificates in this emerging field.

The Sustainability Leadership Graduate Certificate Program demonstrates the commitment of Edgewood College to serving the community in meaningful ways and to becoming a leader for sustainability in higher education.

The Sustainability Leadership Program offers a unique applied approach to sustainability that will prepare leaders to be effective change agents within organizations and communities.

Jim Lorman, Professor of Biology in the Natural Sciences Department at the College and the program’s Academic Director explains, “More than an academic program, more than a think tank, we are creating a center for designing and promoting sustainable, resilient, and healthy organizations and communities.”

Lorman describes the intention to bring together students from a variety of disciplines to engage in a more intensive way with faculty, outside experts, and community leaders to find better solutions. “We recognize that the changes needed are as much about social justice and values as they are about technological fixes.”

Participants in the program will join a cohort of working professionals in non-profit, government and corporate management, economic development, planning and design, education, facilities management, public health, energy and utilities, etc. to explore systems thinking, ethical leadership, ecological design, natural capitalism, sustainability indicators and more. Students will work with instructors and mentors to apply these concepts to real-world projects in their organizations and communities.

The Program is made possible with the collaboration of partners who share a commitment to a more sustainable community, including MGE, Madison Metropolitan School District, REAP Food Group, Sustain Dane, Wisconsin Environmental Initiative, and many others.

The Program begins August 7, 2010, with a weeklong living/learning immersion experience, proceeds with bimonthly Saturday classes during the academic year, and culminates in an individual integrative capstone project.

Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in any major and interest in the field.

About Edgewood College

Located in Madison, WI, Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition, with 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, nursing, and other fields, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit http://www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor in Marketing & Communications at 608-663-2333.