This year, the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and Appalachian State University (App State) have both been focused on reenergizing their USGBC student groups.

Through their curricula and student groups, these universities are helping to prepare the next generation of green building leaders in North Carolina.

Advancing green education

In January, we shared how the LEED Lab course at North Carolina State University (NC State) is benefiting a Durham Public Schools project.

In February, UNC Charlotte architecture and engineering students were introduced to LEED’s core concepts.

In March, students from App State’s architecture, building science and sustainable technologies programs attended a full-day workshop in preparation for the LEED Green Associate exam.

The full-day workshop

Sarah Dorner of Holder Construction, Rowan Parris of Turner Construction, Anna Pooler of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, and the staff lead for USGBC North Carolina and USGBC South Carolina, Diane Coleman, teamed up to teach the full-day workshop at App State.

This was a unique opportunity for students to learn from green building practitioners who shared real-world examples that reinforced the key strategies and concepts of green building and LEED, including

The importance of energy and water efficiency.
The integrative process and how systems are interrelated within buildings.
The vast community impacts and opportunities in green transportation systems.
The various strategies employed to achieve LEED credits.
The importance of indoor air quality—especially for students in classrooms, like themselves.
The opportunities presented by LEED that can be applied across their studies.

USGBC members in the Carolinas also helped students learn the core concepts of the LEED integrative process, as well as impact categories such as:

Energy and Atmosphere
Indoor Environmental Quality
Location and Transportation
Materials and Resources
Water Efficiency
Sustainable Sites
Innovation

Students and teacher pose in front of a presentation screen that says LEED v4

Image credit: Diane Coleman.

One example of a bigger trend

The work happening at these universities is part of a larger effort to incorporate high-value learning experiences in sustainability into higher education. These lessons will stay with students beyond their coursework and carry into their careers.

USGBC's involvement

Across the United States, college students are leading the way in sustainability on their campuses and through their curricula. USGBC is committed to supporting the growing green jobs market and ensuring that students who are passionate about sustainability can apply their skills and talents within a rapidly changing workforce.

USGBC supports these efforts in a number of ways, including through our

Thank you to the students at NC State, UNC Charlotte and App State for taking steps toward creating more sustainable, resilient and healthy buildings and communities.

More information

Want to get involved locally with students and higher education in the Carolinas? Contact Diane Coleman to get started.

Learn about other ways to get involved

UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State: Preparing the next generation of LEED professionals