CARSON CITY, Nev. - Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is the first school in Nevada to be designated as a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The Nevada Department of Education nominated TMCC, which is among five postsecondary schools nationally to receive the 2020 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award.

“The Nevada Department of Education and the Washoe County School District could not have better partners than TMCC President Dr. Karin Hilgersom and Kreg Mebust, Professor of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Residential Design,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “TMCC provides technical support to the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NVACS) in Science and Health. The Community College also offers NVACS-aligned professional development in environmental, health, and sustainability education making this available to all teachers across grade levels, grade bands, and content areas. TMCC partners with our schools to integrate core environment, health practices, sustainability, STEM, green technology and civics into curricula to provide effective environmental and sustainability education through innovative practices and real-world applications.”

TMCC is committed to responsible stewardship of resources and to demonstrating leadership in sustainable business practices, including, but not limited to, current best practices in building design and maintenance, transportation, and use of renewable and non-renewable resources to provide a healthy environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Procedures and practices that provide environmental benefits, reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources, and offer other resource conservation benefits resulting in cost savings and maintenance of a healthy workplace for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Across the country, 39 schools, 11 districts, and five postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.

The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 27 states. The selectees include 28 public schools, including three magnet schools and four charter schools, as well as 11 nonpublic schools. Forty-five percent of the 2020 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body.

The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 55 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here. (See links to the right)