In 2021, the Board of Governors built off this important work by adopting the Climate Action and Sustainability Framework. In 2025, the Board of Governors updated the Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability Goals, calling on colleges and districts to lessen the impact of our facilities and operations. The Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability Goals aims to create environmental, social, and educational benefits for the communities we serve. These goals are designed to serve as a tool to prompt local discussion around ways the California Community Colleges can leverage their expansive footprint by incorporating sustainability principles and climate science in their local practices.
With Vision 2030, the climate action work advances community college engagement with the four fields of climate practice: facilities and operations, workforce development for the blue and green economy, curriculum development, and community engagement. With this comprehensive approach, the goal is to leverage both colleges’ physical and social impact footprint.
The Chancellor’s Office, in partnership with the Energy Resource and Sustainability Partnership (ERSP), annually receives nominations on behalf of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for the annual Energy and Sustainability Awards Program. This award program recognizes community college sustainability leaders as well as local energy efficiency and sustainability efforts that align with the Board of Governors Climate Action and Sustainability Framework.
Nomination Submittals
Nominations will be accepted in four categories: Climate Action Leadership, Sustainability Champion, Innovative Project, and Faculty/Student Initiative. Each award category is described below. Nomination forms can be obtained by emailing Carla Grandy in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office at CGrandy@CCCCO.edu. Email your nomination form(s) back to Carla Grandy by August 20, 2025.
Previous award or honorable mention award winners are not eligible for consideration this year, however previous submittals that did not win an award are eligible for resubmittal.
Award Categories
- Excellence in Energy & Sustainability – Climate Action Leadership
The Board of Governors will select an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in energy efficiency and sustainability efforts in the past year. Leadership can be demonstrated in climate action policy, workforce initiatives, or robust sustainability partnerships. Nominations for the Excellence in Climate Action Leadership Award should include the name of the individual being nominated and the reason for the nomination. - Excellence in Energy & Sustainability – Sustainability Champion
The Board of Governors will select an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in energy efficiency and sustainability efforts at the campus or district level in the past year. Nominations for Sustainability Champion should include the name of the individual being nominated and detailed reasons for the nomination. - Excellence in Energy & Sustainability – Innovative Project
This award category considers innovative projects by district type. Districts will submit their innovative project on the attached nomination form which will detail the use and implementation of innovative technologies and progressive practices within their project. The following awards will be given in this category:
Best Innovative Project – Large District
Best Innovative Project – Medium District
Best Innovative Project – Small District - Excellence in Energy & Sustainability – Faculty/Student Initiatives
The Excellence in Energy and Sustainability - Faculty/Student Initiatives award recognizes faculty and/or students who have excelled in developing sustainability initiatives for their college. The criterion for this award includes the creation of an innovative initiative that institutionalizes sustainability by integrating the initiative into campus operations and student learning or curriculum, engages the community in implementing the initiative, and has measurable results to demonstrate success. Faculty and student collaboration in the creation and implementation of sustainability plans are also eligible for this award.
Judging and Selection of Awards
Award nominations for the Climate Action Leadership, Sustainability Champion, Faculty/Student Initiative, and the Innovative Project in each category will be presented to the ERSP to review the proposed awards and make recommendations to the Chancellor’s Office for final selection. The Chancellor’s Office will review the nominations, scores, and ERSP recommendations and will make the final determination of award recipients.
Award timelines
• August 20, 2025: Deadline to submit nominations for all awards
• November 2025: Awards presented at the Board of Governors meeting
Contact Information
If you have questions or would like more information about the 2025 Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Awards, please contact Carla Grandy at CGrandy@CCCCO.edu.
