Campus Decarbonization Forum: Envisioning the Future of Higher Ed

We are proud to co-host the upcoming Campus Decarbonization Forum alongside the UMass Energy Transition Institute and the Clean Energy Extension.

The School of Earth & Sustainability (SES) serves as a dynamic hub for the UMass community, mobilizing our expansive network of faculty, students, and partners to tackle the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. We are honored to gather our network for this important discussion together with UMass Energy Transition Institute and the Clean Energy Extension, demonstrating our commitment to fostering the science-informed, cross-sector conversations necessary for a sustainable future.

Colleges and universities are at the forefront of the clean energy transition, yet they face unique hurdles. From district heating systems to aging power plants, the path to carbon neutrality is as complex as it is vital. Join us for a deep dive into how leading institutions are navigating these disruptions. By leveraging our collective expertise, this event explores the financial, operational, and technical innovations driving campus decarbonization at UMass and across higher education.

Featured Speaker Spotlight

We are especially pleased to feature Ezra Small (’07 MS), UMass Amherst Campus Sustainability Manager and a distinguished SES alum. Ezra's leadership on our own campus exemplifies the solutions-focused impact of our alumni network. He will be joined by regional experts to share real-world strategies for transitioning institutional infrastructure:

• Alex Barron: Smith College
• Suzanne Wood: UMass Chan Medical School
• Shana Weber: University of Michigan (formerly Princeton) – Joining virtually

What to Expect

This forum features a panel of experts who have spearheaded decarbonization efforts across diverse campus environments. Following the presentations, we will hold a Q&A session and an interactive discussion on how these strategies can be applied at UMass and beyond.

Key Details

• Date: Friday, March 27
• Time: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
• Location: Gunness Student Center, Marcus Hall (Subject to change based on RSVP volume)
• Action: RSVP Here to ensure adequate space and receive location updates.

For additional details and background on our partners, please visit the main Partner Event Page.