April 15, 2026
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) has been recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) as a recipient of a 2026 AASHE Sustainability Award for outstanding achievements and progress in higher education sustainability. JCCC received the Campus Sustainability Achievement Award for its unique and innovative Sustainability Distinction Program.
“We are really excited about this award, as the Sustainability Distinction Program (SDP) is only a year old; however, it has proven to be a very popular option for students,” said Dr. Rachael Rost-Allen, SDP Program Advisor. “The customizable nature of the program and its ability to be added on to any degree path has allowed nearly 70 students from numerous academic backgrounds to participate since Spring 2025. We hope that by winning this award, more students will be drawn to engage with sustainability at JCCC, and that other colleges and universities can replicate this model at their institutions.”
Sustainability Distinction Program
The Sustainability Distinction Program at JCCC offers students a transformative educational experience that deepens their understanding of sustainable practices and teaches how to apply sustainability principles to their academic interests and future career paths.
Designed to fit into any degree or field of study, the program also provides opportunities for students to engage with a cohort of like‑minded peers and participate in professional learning experiences. To earn the Sustainability distinction, students must complete four components during their time at JCCC: academic courses, activities, cohort meetings, and capstone questions. Through these experiences, students explore ecological health, economic prosperity, and social equity, and examine how sustainability impacts local and global challenges.
Students who complete the program earn a Sustainability distinction on their JCCC transcript, enhance their résumé, and receive a Sustainability Distinction Program cord to wear at graduation—recognizing their commitment to sustainability in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
SDP graduate Lindsey Tucker said:
“Before joining the Sustainability Distinction Program, I mostly thought of sustainability as being about the environment, like recycling and saving energy. But now I know that sustainability is about much more than that. It’s about justice, economics, health, education, culture, and long-term planning. Every course, activity, and cohort meeting helped me understand that sustainability is not one issue, but it is a way of thinking about the world and how everything connects. The values I’ve gained from this program, like intentional living, equity, and resilience, are ones I plan to hold on to for life. They’ve made me a more aware artist, mother, student, and member of my community.”
AASHE Sustainability Awards
AASHE bestows its prestigious awards on the institutions and individuals that help lead higher education to a sustainable future. In 2026, AASHE received nearly 80 entries, resulting in 16 winners announced across four categories. Entries were judged on overall impact, innovation, stakeholder involvement, and other criteria specific to each category. To date, close to 170 higher education institutions and people have been recognized through this prestigious award program since its inception in 2006.
“The 2026 AASHE Sustainability Award winners each reflect a powerful commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education. I commend these winners for leading transformative change across their campuses, showcasing dedication, innovation, and vision through each of these outstanding initiatives,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.
About JCCC
JCCC has embraced a mission to inspire learning to transform lives and strengthen communities since the College opened its doors in 1969. As the largest community college in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area, JCCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Committed to accessible, high-quality education, the College serves students from its main campus as well as multiple satellite locations. Each year, JCCC supports the educational and career goals of 36,000 credit and continuing education students, meeting individual, community, and workforce needs in a welcoming, supportive environment.
About AASHE
About the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff, and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. AASHE works with and for higher education to ensure that our world's future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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