The School of Sustainability and the Environment
Office of the Dean
Welcome to Chatham University’s School of Sustainability and the Environment! The School was founded in 2009 as a transdisciplinary academic institution that recognizes the three foundations of sustainability—economic development, social wellbeing, and a robust environment. We approach sustainability from a systems perspective, and seek appropriate sources of knowledge to answer complex, and often very uncertain questions.
Our current activities are focused in several areas.
First, we now offer two degree programs — a Master of Arts in Food Studies under the able direction of Dr. Alice Julier and a Master of Sustainability beginning in 2012.The Food Studies program has attracted truly outstanding first and second cohorts and we are looking forward to welcoming our first Sustainability cohort! We are also offering a Certificate in Sustainable Management starting in 2013.
Second, we house the Rachel Carson Institute, a longstanding Chatham University outreach program, which has been moved into the School with a new Director, Dr. Patricia (Patty) DeMarco. Dr. DeMarco has spent her career pursuing a goal of managing our life-support systems (clean air, pure water, fertile soil, and biodiversity) through collaborative decision making and sound science. She exemplifies the ideals developed by Chatham Alumna Rachel Carson, whose ability to communicate science clearly on important sustainability challenges transformed the way we think about the environment.
Third, we have hired a new faculty that are developing a thriving, collaborative research agenda for the School, as well as our degree programs. These new faculty were recruited for their ability to collaborate across disciplines, work with students, other faculty, and work with a broad collection of constituents.
Fourth, we are a major participant in the development of Chatham’s new Eden Hall Campus, which will eventually be our home. Development of Eden Hall reflects our academic mission—it will be a living laboratory at which faculty and students will research and learn from their natural and built environment, and model sustainable practices.
As we undertake these activities, we are mindful that what we do and learn at the School and the Eden Hall Campus should represent a better lifestyle— a lifestyle rooted in our three core goals of advancing economic development, social wellbeing, and a robust environment - in a fashion that people will want to adopt. To this end, Eden Hall should not be an isolated place. Rather, what we learn should be shared broadly, and communicated clearly, with a substantial virtual presence.
If you are as excited about this project as we are, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and sign up to receive periodic updates on our news and upcoming activities.
