The AASHE Fellows Award recognizes mid-career individuals who are significantly contributing to the advancement of sustainability in higher education. It is intended to support professional advancement of these sustainability leaders and deepen their impact.

Applications may be submitted through the fourth Friday in January (Jan. 23, 2026). If you have any questions, kindly email awards@aashe.org.

Application Details

Higher education sustainability professionals with more than five years of experience may apply for this award. Only self-nominations will be accepted. A selection committee comprised of experts in the field will review the applications and select the next class of AASHE Fellows. A small number of individuals (no more than 10) will be selected each year. Applications from individuals who are not selected will remain on file and will be considered again in each of the next two award cycles.

Timeline

Submission deadline Fourth Friday in January
Judging process February
Recipient notified March
Publicly announced April
Recipient recognized at the AASHE Conference October

Prizes

Award winners receive:

  • Complimentary seat at any AASHE virtual education offering (Decarbonization Academy excluded) for the next year, i.e., May 1- April 30 (up to $195 value)
  • One complimentary registration for the AASHE Conference & Expo ($700 value)
  • Spotlight on LinkedIn
  • Two one-on-one phone calls with AASHE staff to help meet recipients’ professional goals
  • A certificate of recognition
  • Public recognition on the AASHE website and press release

Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of judges on the following criteria:

  • Programs & Projects: The individual is managing or has implemented one or more high-impact projects or programs. 
  • Products, Presentations & Publications: The individual has developed influential tools, models, frameworks or other products, and/or has made meaningful contributions to the body of knowledge on higher education sustainability through conference presentations, articles, books, etc.
  • Service & Mentorship: The individual is contributing or has contributed substantial time and expertise to help build the campus sustainability community (e.g., by leading campus sustainability-focused organizations or networks, serving on relevant boards or committees, and/or mentoring others).

Eligibility

To be considered for this award, the applicant must be affiliated with an AASHE member college or university and have more than five years of experience as a higher education sustainability professional. Directors on AASHE’s board are not eligible unless they are not on the board in the year the award is given. Individuals must apply themselves; nominations from others are not eligible.

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Current AASHE Fellows

Headshot of Andrea TrimbleAndrea Trimble, Director of Sustainability at University of Virginia
Ayodeji Oluwala headshot Ayodeji Oluwalana, Manager of Waste Reduction & Recycling Program at Pennsylvania State University
Kelly Wellman headshot Kelly Wellman, Director of Sustainability at Texas A&M University
Kim Hankins headshotKim Hankins, Manager of the Sustainability Department at McHenry County College
Lindsay Walker headshotLindsay Walker, Director of Sustainability at Humber College
Meghann-Jarchow headhshotMeghann Jarchow, Sustainability & Environment Department Chair & Professor at University of South Dakota
Nina Morris headshotNina Morris, Director of Sustainability at University of Pennsylvania
Olivia AguilarOlivia Aguilar, Director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College
Rob Andrejewski headshotRob Andrejewski, Director of Sustainability at University of Richmond
Wes Dripps headshotWeston Dripps, Director of Sustainability at Amherst College