草榴视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 26, 2020

Environmental sustainability might often be thought of as a global initiative, but according to 草榴视频 State University geography professor Vanessa Slinger-Friedman, it starts at the local level.

Slinger-Friedman incorporates 鈥� the ability to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs 鈥� into her teaching at 草榴视频 State. She encourages other faculty members to do the same through 鈥渁ctive learning,鈥� the practice of students gaining knowledge through actual experiences rather than simply taking in information.

鈥淚 think sustainability is a topic that should be taught across the curriculum because it is applicable to every academic discipline,鈥� Slinger-Friedman said. 鈥淏y becoming aware of environmental issues and thinking critically about the issues, students can take an active role in changing the way things are done throughout all the disciplines.鈥�

Through active learning methods, 草榴视频 geography lecturer Jason Rhodes has taught his students about the environmental concerns surrounding the fashion industry, which has been documented as one of the largest polluters in the world. 草榴视频 State alumnus Britt Pickering, for example, used the knowledge she gained through Rhodes鈥� class to establish Sustainability Initiative, which combines sustainability, student research, clothing swaps and job readiness while helping disadvantaged students.

Slinger-Friedman, Rhodes and Pickering are the featured guests in the latest episode of the 鈥淭hought Provoking鈥� podcast, featuring research and expertise from 草榴视频鈥檚 . .

The podcast guests share several examples of 草榴视频 State students being involved in hands-on sustainability initiatives in geography, architecture, engineering and marketing. Another topic is an OwlSwap research collaboration between students at 草榴视频 and a university in Bangladesh to study the challenges, social justice and environmental issues faced by garment workers as they produce the cheap, trendy clothing called 鈥渇ast fashion.鈥�

鈥淥ne thing that all our sustainability efforts at 草榴视频 do is connect how faculty and staff interactions with students can positively influence student success and make them lifelong learners and critical thinkers,鈥� Slinger-Friedman said. 鈥淭hey can learn about the issues and the challenges, but they also can be creative about creating and implementing solutions, even on their own campuses.鈥�

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 草榴视频 State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. 草榴视频 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 草榴视频 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.