“The Community College Green Genome Framework: Integrating Sustainability and Clean Technology Workforce Development into the Institution’s DNA,” is a free national guide and institutional self-assessment tool created by community colleges, for community colleges. This framework is designed to help community colleges expand their local green economies by aligning green-focused workforce education programs with other campus and community sustainability initiatives. Along with the Genome Self-Assessment Tool, the framework allows colleges to gauge how well their institutions are leading these kinds of efforts today and where to prioritize future investments. Facing shrinking resources, colleges need this kind of strategic alignment to maintain their sustainability commitments to build healthy and economically vibrant communities with career opportunities for all. As such, this framework also supports the recommendations of the AACC’s 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges to increase access and completion on college campuses. See page 22 for access to the self-assessment tool. The framework was developed through extensive review of existing college programs by a national advisory panel made up of senior leaders at the U.S. Department of Energy, industry professionals, national associations and over 50 community colleges. In addition, Green Genome Awards were awarded from 2012 to 2016. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) awarded cash prizes to exemplary community colleges for their sustainability education initiatives through this SEED Center initiative. See the profiles of previous winning colleges below.

Read about past Green Genome Awards winners:

2016 Winners 2014 Winners 2012 Winners (PDF) Update on 2012 Winners