This fall, Michael Rea became JCCC¹s first-ever recycling and waste minimization coordinator in the Center for Sustainability.

As coordinator, Rea will be responsible for creating and maintaining a recycling and composting program. He says his first order of business is to assess what is currently being done in those areas and coordinate activities campus-wide. He will also emphasize education through webinars and “green bag” sessions on topics like composting.

"I want people to see this as a position that will save the college money in the long run," Rea said.

Rea had served as project manager of JCCC’s Educational Technology Center since 2003. In that position he assisted all departments with the design, development, training and technical support for instructional computing projects and technologies for classroom and online instruction; promoted the use of innovative instructional strategies; and provided primary support and training for JCCC’s learning management system to foster high-quality standards for online courses.

Committed to sustainability and on his own initiative, he proactively researched trends in sustainability and related government regulations and attended the 2009 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education workshops. In summer 2010, he coordinated the recycling of 12 tons of paper, more than two tons of books and more than $5,000 worth of repurposed office supplies at JCCC.

Most immediately, Rea wants to survey employees and students about their sustainability values, look at purchasing practices regarding items like Styrofoam and recycled paper, hire students to recycle cardboard at the Warehouse and transfer compost from Dining Services to application sites, create a website and establish “eco” reps in each building to respond to issues like full recycle containers and energy waste from lights or computers left on in vacant locations.

"I want people to call me or e-mail me whenever they have a concern about recycling or energy conservation on campus," Rea said.

JCCC president Dr. Terry A. Calaway signed the College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in March 2008. In January 2009, JCCC established a Center for Sustainability and named Dr. Jay Antle as its executive director, setting goals to reduce the college’s carbon footprint, incorporate sustainability into the curriculum and become a regional leader in green-collar credit classes and workforce development training.