Smeal Sustainability Strategic Plan

Our vision is that Smeal will be a top‐ten business school in the area of sustainability through our teaching, research, and outreach.

The Business Case For Sustainability

Our vision is that Smeal will be a top‐ten business school in the area of sustainability through our teaching, research, and outreach. Through our teaching, we will enhance the understanding of sustainable business practices and produce knowledgeable graduates prepared to apply these practices in the marketplace. Through our research efforts, we will create knowledge relative to sustainable business practices and their impact on businesses and on society.

 Through our outreach, we will work with industry and government to collaboratively provide thought leadership in understanding and implementing sustainable business practices, and demonstrate within Smeal how these business practices can enable organizational success.

Dean Charles Whiteman approved the Smeal College of Business’ first Sustainability Strategic Plan in December 2012.  The strategic planning process was led by Smeal faculty Gerald Susman and Terry Harrison, and involved faculty from across the college. The plan articulated a vision for sustainability that Smeal would be one of the best business schools in the world in the area of sustainability in teaching, research and outreach for Smeal. The plan presented an initial set of twenty goals, many of which have been accomplished.

Smeal is incorporating sustainability into everything we do.  Faculty researchers across every department have expertise and on-going research in sustainability.  Teaching faculty are ensuring that every student graduates able to make the business case for sustainability.  Active student clubs and groups, such as our undergrad Net Impact chapter, have reached national prominence.  A Sustainability Advisory Board with sustainability executives from leading companies advises the college.  The Smeal Sustainability Council with faculty from across departments update the strategy and lead implementation, impact evaluation, and process improvement.  Lastly, we have an active employee-led Green Team that ensures everyone has the opportunity to engage.