Sustainability Advisory Committee

Committee Purpose

• Monitor and report out on sustainability initiatives completed by MSU Faculty, Staff and Students.
• Monitor committee developed realistic strategies to earn high ratings from AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
• Be a leader in sustainability initiatives across our state and region.
• Monitor and benchmark our work related to sustainability initiatives.

Membership 2023-2024

• Matt Morris, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Co-Chair
• Tammy Jahnke, Dean for College of Natural and Applied Science, Co-Chair
• Tracey Coronado, Sustainability Coordinator
• Gabriela Rivero-Ramirez, Students for a Sustainable Future
• Jen Cox, University Space Manager and Director of Support Services
• Paul Durham, Distinguished Professor of Biology
• Teresa Frederick, Director Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services
• Cole Pruitt, Associate director, Facilities Management
• Sam Wang, Chief Sustainability Commissioner, Student Government Association
• Brad Kielhofner, University Engineer and Director of Facilities Management
• Dr. Alan Tinkler, Associate Professor, English
• Mike Klem, Coordinator Business and Support Services, Agriculture
• Mike Kromrey, Executive Director, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks
• Barbara Lucks, Community Volunteer/Consultant
• Marsha McClanahan, Manager of Media & Energy Services– City Utilities
• Adam Shuler, Project Manager/Architect for Planning, Design and Construction
• Brooke Widmar, Education Outreach Coordinator, James River Basin Partnership
• David Vaughan, Director Environmental Management
• Spencer Vreeland, President, Student Government Association
• Mike Wills, Director of Procurement
• Emily Letterman, Public Relations Specialist, Strategic Communication
• Bradley Cooper, Board of Governors Student Representative

Subcommittees

In support of the Sustainability Vision Statement, the Sustainability Advisory Committee is comprised of the following subcommittees, corresponding to the major STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) categories:

• Academics Subcommittee
• Engagement Subcommittee
• Operations Subcommittee, and
• Planning and Administration Subcommittee.

The charge for each of these subcommittees is to:

• Review/evaluate the corresponding major STARS category to identify opportunities to integrate sustainability within the subcommittee focus area.
• Develop and submit recommendations for goals, and strategies to achieve those goals to the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
  • Annually, goals & strategies will be submitted at the October meetings (initial year goal submission schedule will be determined by Sustainability Advisory Committee consensus).
• Work with units, groups or individuals within the subcommittee focus area to implement projects or initiatives toward approved sustainability goals.
• Evaluate progress in maintaining existing sustainability goals (from the University’s 2015 STARS submittal).
• Reporting schedule:
  • Verbal reports will be provided at Sustainability Advisory Committee meetings
  • An annual written summary report will be provided at the April Sustainability Advisory Committee meetings

Academics Subcommitee

Focus areas include: opportunities to educate students through education programs and courses that address sustainability and to increase research on sustainability topics.

Academics Subcommittee Membership 2023-2024

• Alan Tinkler, Reynolds College of Arts and Letters (chair)
• Bernard Kitheka, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
• Melissa Bledsoe, William H. Darr College of Agriculture
• Mike Clayton, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
• Paul Durham, College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• Bob Pavlowsky, College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• David Perkins, College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• Carol Miller, College of Business
• Luis Perez, College of Business
• Tom Dicke, College of Humanities and Public Affairs
• Tracey Coronado, Sustainability Coordinator
• Jennice Wright, College of Education

Engagement Subcommittee

Focus areas include: opportunities to integrate sustainability into the campus culture through public engagement, community partnerships and service.

Engagement Subcommittee Membership 2023-2024

• Tracey Coronado, Sustainability Coordinator (Interim Chair)
• Alex Johnson, Community Engagement
• Paige Tieken, SGA Sustainability Commissioner
• Leo Carpenter, Sustainability Intern
• Gabriela Rivero-Ramirez, Campus Garden and Students for a Sustainable Future

Operations Subcommittee

Focus areas include: opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas and air emissions; building performance improvement; sustainable food systems; energy conservation and efficiency/renewable energy sources; sustainable grounds maintenance practices; sustainability decisions in purchasing; sustainable transportation systems; moving toward zero waste by reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting; and water quality protection and conservation.

Operations Subcommittee Membership 2023-2024

• Teresa Frederick, Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services (Co-Chair)
• Cole Pruitt, Facilities (Co-Chair)
• Mike Klem, School of Agriculture
• Ashley Sliger, Planning Design and Construction
• Eric Lyon, Custodial Services
• Jeff Chambers, Grounds Department
• Ben Boslaugh, Utilities Management
• Tracey Coronado, Sustainability Coordinator

Planning and Administration Subcommittee

Focus areas include: opportunities for sustainability coordination, planning and governance; diversity and affordability; health, well-being and work and investment.

Planning and Administration Subcommittee Membership 2023-2024

• Barbara Lucks, City of Springfield (Chair)
• Jen Cox, Administration and Finance
• Brent Dunn, University Advancement
• Rachel McGinnis, Research and Economic Development
• Rob Moore, Financial Aid
• Denise Lofton, Human Resources
• Tracey Coronado, Sustainability Coordinator