Celebrating 20 Years of AASHE
Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education Since 2005
In 2025, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) proudly marks 20 years of driving sustainability transformation across campuses and communities worldwide.
What began in 2005 as a bold vision to integrate sustainability into higher education has grown into a vibrant global movement. Today, AASHE connects a thriving community of more than 1,000 institutions and thousands of dedicated sustainability leaders who are reshaping higher education for a better future. AASHE has helped embed sustainability as a core priority in colleges and universities everywhere.
20 Years of Impact
Over the past two decades, AASHE has:
- Empowered thousands of students, educators, and staff to lead change
- Developed STARS®, the most widely used sustainability rating system for higher education
- Hosted countless events, workshops, and conferences to inspire innovation
- Published groundbreaking research, guides, and tools that help institutions embed sustainability across academics and operations
- Supported a thriving community of practice committed to climate action, equity, and resilience
Looking Ahead
This year, we’ll be celebrating our history—and looking boldly to the future—at the 2025 AASHE Conference & Expo. Join us in Minneapolis as we commemorate 20 years of progress, connect with changemakers from around the world, and explore bold solutions to the sustainability challenges facing higher education today.
AASHE at 20: Stories from Our Community
To mark our 20th anniversary, we’re shining a spotlight on the voices that have shaped AASHE’s journey. AASHE at 20 is a blog series that features reflections, insights, and stories from sustainability leaders who have helped advance sustainability in higher education. These stories remind us that progress does not happen in isolation. It is built by a community of changemakers committed to creating a better future. Click each image below to hear from these sustainability champions!
We’d love to hear from you, too! Share your own #AASHE20th story on social media and join the conversation. Let’s celebrate two decades of resilience, collaboration, and community together!
