Milestones in Sustainability Education and Action

Progress Report - Fall 2024

Explore the latest School of Environmental Sustainability Progress Report to learn about new academic programs, impactful research, student accomplishments, alumni careers, and more.

From the Dean

It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I will be retiring in the summer of 2025. I have had an exciting and privileged series of positions at Loyola over my 35-year career, providing a deep appreciation of Jesuit higher education and the University. My vision for the future of SES involves you. Moving forward, it is crucial that we continue to work together to care for our shared planet and to support the education and development of the next generation of environmental change-agents.

Program growth

During the 2023 to 2024 academic year, 147 students completed degree and certificate programs in the School of Environmental Sustainability. SES awarded 103 bachelor’s degrees, 33 master’s degrees, and 11 graduate certificates.

Students

SES students are remarkably committed to sustainability, social justice, and academic excellence. Meet some of our inspiring students and recent graduates. They shared thoughts on how their education prepared them for their future careers.

Alumni

Graduates of the School of Environmental Sustainability pursue careers in diverse fields. Meet alumni advancing sustainability and making a difference in government, nonprofits, and education.

Faculty

The faculty in the School of Environmental Sustainability continues to grow. Two new faculty members joined the team in 2024. In addition, SES faculty members received recognition for their outstanding teaching, research, and leadership. Honors included the Loyola Faculty Member of the Year Award, which went to Professor Reuben Keller, PhD.

Research

Shifting to solar energy is a critical component of global efforts to fight pollution and climate change, and building community support for solar projects is essential in making this shift. School of Environmental Sustainability faculty member Gilbert Michaud, PhD, is part of a team that received a $2.5 million grant to study the best ways to work with stakeholders to facilitate the transition to clean, renewable energy.

Community engagement

Globally, food production and distribution account for roughly a third of greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, one-third of all food produced goes to waste, while nearly 800 million people go hungry. The School of Environmental Sustainability is tackling these complex challenges through academic programs and growing real-world initiatives focused on fighting hunger, reducing waste, and building more equitable and sustainable food systems.

construction for installation of geothermal wells

Green campus

Environmental sustainability continues to be a University-wide priority at Loyola, and the University is committed to answering Pope Francis’s call to Care for Our Common Home, as outlined in his encyclical, Laudato Si’. The Office of Sustainability coordinates campus-wide initiatives and tracks Loyola’s progress as we strive to reduce our environmental footprint.

Events

Throughout the year, various events and programs bring the Loyola community together to discuss critical sustainability challenges, explore solutions, and celebrate our successes.

Supporters

Contributions from generous supporters advance our mission of educating the next generation of environmental leaders.

Download the PDF

Click the links below to download PDF versions of the Fall 2024 Progress Report.

Download as individual pages: SES 2024 Progress Report, Individual Pages
Download as two-page spreads: SES 2024 Progress Report, Two-Page Spreads

Download the PDF

Click the links below to download PDF versions of the Fall 2024 Progress Report.

Download as individual pages: SES 2024 Progress Report, Individual Pages
Download as two-page spreads: SES 2024 Progress Report, Two-Page Spreads