March 20th- April 17th, 2025
Virtual Webinar Series
PERC's first online webinar series kicked off in March of 2025! Over the course of a month, PERC hosted four webinars series on a variety of pointed topics that higher education institutions are faced within the wake of a rapidly changing environmental and policy space.
Across the country, colleges, universities, and communities are navigating federal funding challenges, environmental justice and equity issues, educational policy shifts, and data availability. In light of these challenges, PERC engaged with key voices in these spaces to inform, support, and encourage our members through this uncharted time. Read below for a synopsis of each webinar!
WEBINAR EVENTS:
Federal Funding Shifts: IRA, PA RISE, and More- As the federal funding landscape rapidly shifts, understanding evolving policies, their impact radius, and their implication within higher education institutions is key to continuing critical sustainability efforts on our campuses. The webinar's goal was to provide advice and insight to the audience on navigating funding mechanisms for their current or planned projects/goals under the restrictions posed by the current administration. PERC was very excited to be joined by Ms. Romany Webb, Deputy Director of Columbia University's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, and Mr. Louie Krak, Infrastructure Implementation Coordination at PA DEP. Ms. Webb and Mr. Krak combined their expertise in federal funding relating to climate and sustainability to discuss current shifts, introduce impact projections, and answer questions regarding funding from the national to the state level.
Continuing Institutional Sustainability Work- Building on the first webinar's examination of the federal funding landscape, this webinar looked to explore how to continue climate and sustainability work within and outside of our institutions. The ultimate goal of the session was to provide insight about difficulties surrounding how to proceed with current or proposed projects under the current administration's recent policy changes. This was not an "answers" webinar, but rather an evaluation and exploration of the current environment, as it is impacting PA institutions. PERC was very excited to be joined by Ms. Meghan Fay Zahniser, Executive Director of the Association of the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Ms. Fay Zahniser provided insight and preliminary themes from AASHE's March month-long community series on this very topic! In addition to Ms. Fay Zahniser's presentation, there was a 30 minute breakout room session for participants to be in community with one another, answer the guiding questions provided, and share insight on how we, as a community, are continuing our work!
Navigating Sustainability Jobs - As the field of sustainability continues to expand, understanding job opportunities, desirable competencies, and sustainability professionalism is key to preparing for applying to your dream career. The webinar's goal was to address how to navigate the sustainability/climate job market for soon-to-be graduates or those looking to enter a new role in sustainability! PERC was very excited to be joined by Dr. Christopher Nafe, Energy Program Specialist at the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and Ms. Reece Pauling, Graduate student at the Yale School of Environment. Dr. Nafe and Ms. Pauling combined their experience and expertise in the sustainability field to discuss critical skill sets, key opportunities in the commonwealth, and potential career paths in sustainability.
Fortifying DEIA & Environmental Justice - As the federal administration's stance on DEIA and Environmental Justice continues to change, understanding these changes and prioritizing existing and new communities is key to reinforcing their place in sustainability. The webinar's goal was to explain the current landscapes and provide insight to the audience on how to fortify DEIA and Environmental Justice efforts and communities on PA campuses. PERC was very excited to be joined by Dr. Mark Ortiz, Assistant Professor of Geography at Penn State University, and Dr. Gregory Jenkins, Professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Geography. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Jenkins combined their knowledge of the intersection of sustainability and DEIA to discuss the critical need for protecting Environmental Justice and DEIA efforts on campuses, the impact of the current administration on Environmental Justice, and how policies are affecting institutional Sustainability Centers.
