Northwestern University
AC-1: Academic Courses

We examined the course catalogs of the undergraduate as well as graduate and professional schools, looking through course descriptions to see which classes emphasized sustainability topics. After looking through the catalog for the 2016-2017 academic year, we checked the websites of related departments (Environmental Sciences, Sociology, Political Science, etc.) to make sure we hadn't missed any courses offered in the past year, then added ones that did not originally appear in the course catalog. We also disseminated a survey to all faculty members at the University asking if their courses were focused on, or highlighted sustainability content. This survey was extremely valuable in that it pointed us to many courses where sustainability is discussed but might not have been called out in the course catalog description. This in-depth and direct feedback from professors allowed us to gain new knowledge of courses that are incorporating sustainability concepts that wouldn't usually come to mind, including Spanish language courses and Comparative Literature courses.

NOTE: The link above for the list of sustainability courses online is a link to where some, but not all, courses with sustainability content are located. ---------------------------------------- Northwestern's Pritzker Scool of Law Environmental Advocacy Center: Critical environmental issues--clean air and water, cleanup of hazardous waste sites, safe drinking water, energy policy, and climate change--drive the work of Northwestern University School of Law Bluhm Legal Clinic's Environmental Advocacy Center (EAC). The EAC takes on cases and environmental projects that offer unparalleled opportunities for students to practice lawyering and advocacy, and contribute uniquely to environmental problem-solving. By partnering with the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest, the region's premier environmental advocacy and legal organization, EAC extends its impact as well as opportunities for students. Students in this Center pursue environmental solutions through a broad range of strategies: litigation, administrative proceedings, legislative and rule-making proceedings, public advocacy, and media. "We are a multi-disciplinary Center," says director Nancy Loeb. "In environmental law, it is rare that one approach will work. Our students learn to think strategically, explore multiple ways to frame a problem, and pursue multiple forms of advocacy to accomplish our goals." Working with attorneys, scientists, economists, and legislative experts, and by participating directly on cases and in a weekly seminar, students learn to assess environmental issues and develop and implement solutions. The opportunity to tap expertise across Northwestern University is a significant asset. "We enjoy the advantage of access to a wealth of knowledge and abilities," says Loeb. "We've engaged assistance from the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern, as well as several departments, including engineering and chemistry students, all working toward solutions with us. We have some of the best minds on our team, and students really value and enjoy the cross-discipline interaction." The Environmental Advocacy Center was founded in 2009, and as it continues to grow, new opportunities emerge to find solutions, to drive change, and to protect the Midwest's natural resources and our region's residents. Looking ahead, the Center is exploring opportunities to extend its reach internationally to address some of the most pressing environmental issues related to climate change, including energy policies, drought and flooding, and adaptation strategies. http://www.law.northwestern.edu/legalclinic/environmental/aboutus/ ---------------------------------------- Kellogg School of Management, Board Fellows Program Cultivating opportunities for impact through nonprofit board service Kellogg Board Fellows is a rigorous, 20-month program that connects top Kellogg students to Chicago-area nonprofits for a distinct opportunity in board service. Each year, the program selects from an outstanding pool of first-year students in Kellogg’s Full-Time MBA Program and appoints 50 students as “fellows.” These fellows serve as ex-officio board members for specific nonprofit organizations while simultaneously completing courses in board governance at Kellogg. DRIVEN BY STRONG PURPOSE The program is focused on developing socially responsible leaders while harnessing the talents of Kellogg students to support local nonprofit organizations. DEVELOPING LEADERS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING After completing courses in board governance, fellows tackle a strategic project developed by the nonprofit in which they serve as board members. CREATING UNIQUE VALUE FOR NONPROFITS Developing nonprofit partnerships and program curriculum is a collaborative effort, led by an elected student leadership team and social impact faculty at Kellogg. A HISTORY OF IMPACT Since its inception in 2003, Kellogg Board Fellows has: Prepared 546 Kellogg fellows for civic leadership Served 175 unique Chicago-area nonprofits OUR PURPOSE Kellogg Board Fellows is part of the Kellogg Public-Private Interface (KPPI), an initiative dedicated to teaching and researching key issues at the intersection of business and society. The purpose of the program is three-fold: -To prepare Kellogg students to be socially responsible leaders through academic training in board governance and experiential learning through service on nonprofit boards. -To support nonprofit organizations by applying fellows’ professional experience and academic backgrounds to solve strategic, organizational and operational issues that enhance the work of nonprofit boards. -To build Kellogg's reputation for producing strong, socially responsible, community-oriented leaders while making a positive impact in the Chicago area.