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AASHE Centers aim to accelerate the infusion of sustainability content into curriculum by partnering with institutions of higher education to offer workshops and other professional development opportunities on sustainability in the curriculum.
"Sustainability" encompasses a bold framework of goals aimed at ending poverty and hunger, fostering peace and equity, and ensuring that all people can lead fulfilling, prosperous lives. It prioritizes a healthy planet, safeguarded from degradation, requires us to address climate change, and honor the needs of future generations.
The Swift Waters Workshop prepares faculty to design new assignments, units, or courses that incorporate sustainability through the lens of their primary academic discipline. The workshop welcomes faculty from all colleges and universities, supporting a community of practice beyond the boundaries of one institution that expands student access to sustainability concepts and skills in their coursework.
This workshop promotes curricular innovation through exposure to the interdisciplinary themes inherent to sustainability. Hear from faculty how they have integrated these complex issues into their courses, and why they feel this work is important. “Wicked Problems” align with high impact practices including Collaborative Assignments, Community-based Learning, Diversity/Global Learning, and Research.
Application Details
Who Should Apply?
The Swift Waters Workshop is an interdisciplinary development workshop for those wishing to incorporate sustainability concepts, problems or solutions into new or existing courses. Participants from all academic departments are encouraged. We will welcome faculty from Eastern and from other institutions (space is limited) and the workshop will be held in-person on Eastern's campus.
Registration Fee for Non-Eastern Faculty is $100
How to Apply? - Online Form
Deadline to Apply: Priority Deadline for Applications: May 9, 2025
Sydney Clements is an adjunct professor at Eastern Connecticut State University and PhD candidate in the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies at the University of Connecticut. Her work centers on the intersection of farmer viability, food access and environmental sustainability. Her current research focuses on best practices for networking food hubs to build a more sustainable and just local food system in Connecticut. Born and raised in Willimantic, CT, Sydney has spent nearly a decade in community organizing throughout Eastern Connecticut. She has held leadership roles in grassroots organizations such as the Windham Community Food Network, Grow Windham and the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, hiking and traveling.
Dr. Bryan Connolly, associate professor of biology, is a botanist and horticulturalist. He has a bachelor's degree double majoring in botany and anthropology from the University of Vermont, his graduate degrees are from the University of Connecticut, a master’s in ecology and evolutionary biology and a Ph.D. in plant science. His research interests include rare plants of New England, the nightshade family, the rose family, invasive plants, plant propagation, and Hemp/Cannabis cultivation. He manages the university greenhouse as well as teaching the Cannabis cultivation course and coordinates the Cannabis Cultivation and Chemistry Minor at ECSU. Before Eastern, Professor Connolly was a faculty member at Framingham State University in Massachusetts and previously worked for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as the MA state botanist. He is author or co-author of over 40 scientific articles. He lives in Mansfield Center, CT on Cobblestone Farm CSA.
Dr. Sukeshini Grandhi is a professor in the Department of Business Administration with expertise in design thinking, user experience (UX) and marketing research methods. Her research focus is on understanding how people use products/services and the associated cognitive, social and behavioral processes. Her teaching focuses on equipping students with the tools and mindset to explore consumer insights, solve real-world problems creatively, and design user-centered solutions. Through experiential learning, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration, she prepares her students to think critically, act ethically, and innovate with purpose as socially conscious professionals in the business world.
Dr. Sarah Walters is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Eastern Connecticut State University, where she teaches epidemiology, quantitative research methods, and global public health. Her work integrates climate justice into public health pedagogy to prepare the next generation of public health professionals to confront the climate crisis. Prior to joining Eastern, Dr. Walters spent 15 years as an environmental epidemiologist at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Her expertise includes applied epidemiology, environmental health surveillance, housing, and the intersection of climate change, housing, and health equity. She led a multi-agency evaluation of New York City’s supportive housing initiatives, resulting in several peer-reviewed publications on health outcomes among residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she directed outbreak responses in long-term care facilities and helped lead the city’s vaccination rollout for congregate settings. Dr. Walters is committed to using data-driven approaches to advance environmental justice and health equity and inform public health policy.
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Center Vision: All students at Eastern will engage with sustainability concepts, develop sustainability competencies aligned with the liberal arts learning outcomes, and have opportunities to apply their learning focused on building a just and sustainable future.
Center Mission: To advance faculty competency, confidence, and creativity in teaching sustainability concepts, develop community-engaged learning opportunities, and become a trusted sustainability curriculum resource for regional education institutions.
Patricia Szczys, Professor & Director, Center for Sustainability Studies
Center Advisory Board:
Bryan Connolly, Associate Professor, Biology
Julia Delapp, Director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Sukeshini Grandhi, Professor, Business Administration and Assessment Coordinator
Kristen Morgan, Professor, Communication, Film, and Theater
Steve Nathan, Associate Professor, Environmental Earth Science
Niti Pandey, Dean, School of Education and Professional Studies and Graduate Division
Emily Todd, Dean School of Arts and Sciences
Sarah Walters, Assistant Professor, Health Science and Nursing
Sustainability and UNSDG Resources for Curriculum Development
Connecticut-Specific Resources
Data/Databases
Additional Substantive Resources
