Since signing the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007, sustainability has become a core value at Montgomery County Community College. As evidence, sustainability is incorporated into the College’s strategic plan, core curriculum, and in everyday best practices as they relate to facilities management, campus operations and transportation.

The College’s sustainability efforts are led by a team of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community residents who comprise the Sustainability Council . Chaired by Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer, Celeste Schwartz, the Council developed the institution’s Climate Commitment Action Plan , outlining short and long-term strategies to reach carbon neutrality.

The College’s system-wide approach to sustainability has earned the institution recognition on a local, regional, and national scale. Nationally, the College is the only institution the country to earn Award for Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership from Second Nature twice, in 2014 and 2011 . The College was also selected for profile in Second Nature’s five-year retrospective Annual Report and as part of ACUPCC’s 2012 “Celebrating Sustainability” series for Earth Day .

Regionally, the College is consistently recognized by the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVF) for its work to reduce emissions through a variety of transportation strategies. The College earned GVF’s 2011 Environmental Leadership Award , as well as its Platinum Level Sustainability Award for five consecutive years. In 2017 and 2018 the College received the Diamond Level TDM Advocate award.