Green Genome Awards To Recognize Outstanding College Sustainability, Training Efforts

Colleges driving "green" transformation to receive more than $65,000

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of an expanding national effort to support sustainability practices, programs, and training at the nation's more than 1,100 community colleges, five exemplary community colleges will be presented the first-ever Green Genome Awards at a national community college summit hosted Oct. 2 and 3 by Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wis. Awards will be presented at 8:00 a.m. Oct. 3 in the Conference Center.

The awards are part of a larger Green Genome initiative created by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and its Sustainability Education and Economic Development Center (SEED). In the past two years, more than 460 community colleges representing over 3 million students have joined AACC's SEED Center, pledging leadership in sustainability education and training and reaping the benefits.

Winning colleges will each receive $8,000 plus a set of state-of-the-art tools and horticulture equipment from awards sponsor Snap-on.

"AACC is thrilled to recognize colleges that have not only prepared a skilled clean technology workforce, but have also become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green and sustainable economy," said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC President and CEO. "Through the SEED Center, AACC is providing college senior administrators, faculty, and staff an important roadmap to connect and integrate campus sustainability practices, green technical workforce development, education and economic development."

The winning colleges recognized for their achievements within the four categories include:

• Butte College, California (Governance)
• Central Carolina Community College, North Carolina (Program Design & Delivery)
• Delta College, Michigan (Community Engagement)
• Hillsborough Community College, Florida (Overall)
• West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Strategic Partnerships)

Todd Cohen, SEED Center Director and Dr. Bryan Albrecht, chair of AACC's Presidents' Sustainability Task Force and president of Gateway Technical College will present the awards at this week's community college summit, Building Sustainable Industry-College Partnerships.

Wisconsin-based Snap-on Inc. has been a strong supporter of the kinds of community college/industry collaborations the Green Genome Awards recognize. "Snap-on continues to look for innovative workforce development initiatives, including those that ultimately contribute to the sustainability of communities. We are proud to partner with AACC's SEED Center to sponsor these Green Genome Awards and to have played a role in developing the national framework behind it," said Scott Broman, Global Business Development Director, Snap-On, Inc.

Accompanying the awards is the release of a report entitled, The Community College Green Genome Framework: Integrating Sustainability and Clean Technology Programs into the Institution's DNA. This free tool for colleges details the new Green Genome framework, paths for success, and offers profiles of the winning colleges. The framework was developed by a national advisory panel made up of senior leaders at the US Department of Energy, industry, national associations and over 50 community colleges plus extensive review of existing college programs.

The report also includes a self-assessment tool designed for colleges to quickly gauge, along a series of 47 green institutional competencies, how well they may be leading these initiatives today—and where to prioritize enhancements in the future.

AACC's SEED Center is funded by the Kresge Foundation. "Initiatives like SEED are working to leverage the talents at America's community colleges to build the new, clean economy with career paths for all students," said Bill Moses, Program Director, Education. "The Kresge Foundation is pleased to support AACC and the innovative SEED colleges that are leading these efforts."

Download the Green Genome Report, www.theSEEDcenter.org/greengenome

About SEED
AACC's Sustainability Education & Economic Development Initiative, SEED, advances sustainability and green workforce development practices at community colleges by sharing innovative models and FREE resources to increase the capacity of college leaders, faculty, and staff to build the green economy. The SEED Initiative was created in partnership with ecoAmerica and has received support from the Kresge, Flora Family, and Surdna Foundations and corporate partners Bahco/Snap-on and Pearson Higher Education. www.theSEEDcenter.org

About the American Association of Community Colleges
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Association of Community Colleges is the leading advocacy organization representing more than to 1,100 community, junior and technical colleges nationwide. Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of higher education, enrolling 13.4 million credit and non-credit students each year. www.aacc.nche.edu

About Snap-on
Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.9 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. www.snapon.com

Spokespeople available for comment:
Todd Cohen, SEED Center Director, American Association of Community Colleges
Bryan Albrecht, Ph.D, President, Gateway Technical College, Chair AACC SEED Sustainability Task Force
Mimi Riley, Instructor, Butte College, California
Karen Allen, Chancellor, Central Carolina Community College, North Carolina
Linda Petee, Sustainability & Risk Management Coordinator, Delta College, University Center, Michigan
Ginger Clark, Director, Technical Programs, Hillsborough Community College, Florida 
Gary Thompson, Instructor, West Virginia University, Parkersburg
Scott Broman, Global Business Development Director, Snap-on, Inc.

SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges