Student-led sustainability efforts recognized nationally

Student-led initiatives helped Central Michigan University rank among The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2026 Edition. It was aided by CMU’s commitment to help students launch green-friendly careers.

Central Sustainability played a big role in CMU receiving the recognition. Princeton Review relied heavily on data the student-run office gathered that led to CMU receiving a silver ranking for sustainability.

Students with Central Sustainability surveyed offices across campus to gather the data, which they had peer reviewed by the sustainability office at another Michigan university.

It’s unusual that students do that kind of hands-on work, said Matthew Liesch, a faculty member and chairperson of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and adviser for Central Sustainability.

Princeton Review also looked at whether schools helped students launch green-friendly careers.

This fall, CMU enhanced its environmental studies major to stay current with new innovations in sustainability education. CMU also changed the program’s name to the Sustainability, Environment and Society major.

Students are working on projects to support initiatives across campus, water bottle filling stations and solutions for transportation issues like a bike-sharing program, Liesch said.

Other projects include composting food waste from CMU’s dining halls, an inventory of garbage to determine how much can be recycled and a campus-wide garden.

“The sustainability efforts are powered by students and clearly made a difference on campus,” Liesch said.

Princeton Review analyzed more than 25 data points, including whether universities provide healthy, sustainable lifestyles; preparation for green-friendly careers; environmental studies and sustainability curriculum; and whether school policies emphasize environmental friendliness.