Located in Room 317A of Babbio is the Stevens Center for Sustainability (SCS), a joint space for two sustainability-focused organizations on campus: the Center for Sustainability and the Department of Sustainability and Transportation. Students are always welcome to drop by, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and find a productive study environment. Though both entities work toward improving sustainability practices on campus and beyond, they operate with different approaches and objectives — distinctions worth understanding for anyone looking to engage with Stevens’ sustainability initiatives. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to follow @stevenssustainability on Instagram and engage with the monthly newsletters to stay up to date.
Center for Sustainability:
Established in April 2024, the Center for Sustainability aims to create a culture of sustainability on campus by focusing on academics and research, actively securing grants, scholarships, and research opportunities for interested students. SCS was funded by PSEG, and the two organizations have maintained a close relationship. “The focus is on research, existing scholarship programs, community engagement, and student learning,” Dr. Vaishali Kushwaha, the Program Coordinator at the Center for Sustainability, said. “I manage grants the center runs, and I also actively seek out and apply for additional grants for more programs.” High schoolers and all Stevens students are eligible for scholarships and programs provided through SCS. By introducing sustainability-focused courses and summer research opportunities, SCS intends to inspire greater student involvement in environmental fields, especially at a STEM-dominated institution. Moving forward, SCS is working to launch an engaging Brown Bag Series to attract more students interested in sustainability, fostering discussions and utilizing the office as a space for environmental connections.
Beyond the Stevens campus, SCS also works to create engagement and connections with the broader community. “We have 45 faculty members who are associated with SCS, and all their research has to do with some form of sustainability. It can be energy sustainability, environmental sustainability, business sustainability, social sustainability, whatever it is,” said Dr. Dibs Sarkar, Director of the Center for Sustainability and Professor of Environmental Engineering. “The whole idea is to work with several stakeholders, students, city governments, whoever, and help them implement sustainability strategies.” As the coordinator behind Stevens’ master’s program in sustainability, Dr. Sarkar has created educational pathways with real-world impact. He also encourages students to take meaningful action by founding sustainability-focused clubs or contributing to community initiatives. Notably, numerous New Jersey cities now operate with sustainability plans developed by master’s students — a testament to the influence of student leadership SCS hopes to foster within the Stevens community.
Department of Sustainability and Transportation:
Originally centered around transportation and campus facilities, this department has expanded to incorporate broader sustainability initiatives under the leadership of Luke Hansen, Director of Sustainability and Transportation. Contrary to the Center for Sustainability, the Department of Sustainability and Transportation focuses on improving the physical campus and infrastructure. “Outreach is a big part of my job, especially making sure people are aware of our efforts,” says Olivia Connor-Bennett, Sustainability and Transportation Coordinator. Some initiatives the department has implemented include composting at Harries Tower, collaborating with Stevens Dining for Meatless Mondays, providing sustainable menstrual products, ensuring new constructions meet LEED Gold certification standards, and supporting student-led initiatives such as last year’s Breakfast After Dark event.
A large part of the department’s work focuses on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS), a measure of sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Stevens currently holds a STARS Gold Rating, representing a commitment to integrating sustainability practices across various aspects of campus.” STARS is a big part of the job. It’s hard to implement change, but I think people understand sustainability is important,” Connor-Bennett said. Students who want help with sustainability-related events are encouraged to reach out to her and collaborate to make a positive impact on campus. The department assisted Pierce Dining Hall during Stop Food Waste Day on April 16, the Student Government Association (SGA) with its Thrift Store pop-up on April 21 and April 22, and the SAVE club during its annual Earth Day Festival on April 23. The department is actively seeking greater student engagement to amplify its impact across campus, welcoming student feedback and proposals for new initiatives.
Moving Forward:
It is not enough for the Center for Sustainability and the Department of Sustainability and Transportation alone to be working towards a green campus — meaningful progress requires active participation from the entire Stevens campus. A “green campus” does not only involve lawns and recycling efforts but rather a “green wave of thinking in students, staff, and faculty,” Kushwaha shared. “It’s very important how the thinking and understanding of the people on campus is evolving and changing with respect to the complexity of the social, ecological, and economic systems.” Connor-Bennett reinforced this view that achieving a green campus goes beyond the conventional infrastructure terms and involves “a campus that cares about the future of the planet.” Students should be curious, active learners, and seek opportunities to contribute to sustainability initiatives, whether through academic pursuits, campus organizations, or daily lifestyle choices that reflect environmental consciousness. Switch to a reusable water bottle, use the revolving doors, donate or recycle your old clothing, use public transportation when possible, and consider dropping by 317A in Babbio — a place where your ideas and energy can make a meaningful difference.
