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. 22, 2027). 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 are 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.

Current AASHE Fellows

White appearing man with black-rimmed eyeglasses in front of a light, blurry backgroundAaron Durnbaugh, Director of Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago
White appearing man with short brown hair with a blurred tree in the background Brandon Trelstad, Sustainability Officer at Oregon State University
light-skinned appearing woman with long brown hair in front of a grey backgroundDaniela Shebitz, Environmental Science Professor at Kean University
light-skinned appearing woman with brown hair, grey blazer over a red shirt, standing in front of an azalea bush with white bloomsElaine Durr, Senior Director of Sustainability at Elon University
light-skinned woman with long black hair and an orange shirt with a brick wall background in half the photoEundeok Kim, College of Entrepreneurship Professor at Florida State University
light brown skinned appearing woman with long black hair and a blue shirt on in front of a blurred green backgroundJean Wu, Green Office Sustainability Programs Director and professor at Franklin University Switzerland
light-skinned colored woman with short blonde hair and a green topKrista Hiser, Director at Sustainability Education Accreditation Commission and Professor at Kapi’olani Community College
Light-skinned appearing man with short brown hair with a grey shirt Mark Kelly, National Policy Advisor on Education for Sustainable Development & Head of Centre for Sustainability at Atlantic Technological University
Shane Stennes, Chief Sustainability Officer at University of Minnesota

Dark skinned appearing male with black hair and a mustache with a suit and tie on in front of a dark green backgroundStephen Ellis, Director of Sustainability Analytics at Boston University