CCC recognized as a top performer in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Central Community College has been recognized as a Top Performer in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the #6 position in the area of two-year colleges, and/or overall excellence among associates institutions.
A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 13 impact areas, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
“CCC earned its top overall performer status by having committed administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders all contributing focused engagement to make large overall impacts in reducing energy, waste, and water at all our locations,” said Ben Newton, CCC sustainability director. “The dedicated team continually shares efforts such as managing composting, maintaining native pollinator gardens and promoting renewable energy usage, and an active student club that collaborates with local and Midwest community organizations. “
“For generations, Nebraskans have been known for valuing and conserving our natural resources, so I am very pleased that CCC can further teach and demonstrate those outcomes in central Nebraska and be recognized as #2 in the United States and #6 in North America among two-year colleges for our efforts,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall.
“On behalf of all of us at AASHE, I congratulate Central Community College for its recognition as a Top Performer in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index,” said AASHE’s Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “This achievement underscores not only your institution’s dedication to advancing sustainability, but also the resilience of higher education at a time of significant global and societal challenges. Your progress serves as inspiration for students, staff, and faculty everywhere who are working to integrate sustainability into their daily lives and professional practice. Together, the collective achievements of all STARS participants illustrate the power of higher education to drive solutions at scale and to model the leadership needed for a more sustainable future.”
CCC’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website: https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/central-community-college-ne/report/
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About STARS
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information, visit stars.aashe.org.
About AASHE
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff, and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, formerly Twitter.