Sustainability is the ability to endure by meeting our needs today
and ensuring our children have the resources they need for
generations to come. At Metropolitan Community College (MCC), we are
continuously working to provide top-notch education and operate in
ways that are economically sound, environmentally prudent and
socially responsible.
MCC is empowering today's students to be future leaders in the
growing clean and green economy. MCC's approach to sustainability is
three-pronged; sustainability touches our classrooms, campus and the
community.
In the classroom, students receive training in solar
energy, automotive biofuels, ecosystems, sustainable
landscaping and energy efficient construction. A partnership
with the EPA trains students to implement EnergyStar
guidelines in commercial buildings. Another project with IBM
is teaching students how to manage green data centers using
state-of-the-art technology.
On campus, MCC is committed to achieving LEED
Certification for all new buildings. A MAT partnership,
Pass
to Class, provides free bus passes to students, helping
reduce emissions. The
facilities master plan, currently in
development, will integrate sustainable best practices as the
College looks toward future generations of students.
In the community, MCC has partnered with local
organizations to offer Green Living Workshops for homeowners.
A $10,000 grant from Lowe's Corp. and SkillsUSA will take
students from multiple disciplines into the community to
empower low-income residents to reduce energy use through
weatherization and sustainable landscaping.
MCC students bring green weatherization and sustainable
landscaping to four Omaha-area homes with help from a $10,000
SkillsUSA Community Service Grant from Lowe's Charitable and
Educational Foundation.
Metropolitan Community College set up a solar panel at Creighton
University as part of a workshop.
