Section Menu

Sustainability

Academics

Rollins College offers an environmental studies major as well as minors in environmental studies and sustainable development. Across the school curriculum, though, there are various courses in environmental ethics, sustainability, social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, environmental economics and many others closely connected to global, national and community sustainability.

Field study programs in both the environmental studies major and the sustainable development minor give students the opportunity to examine the concept of sustainability in the context of the global and national economy, with firsthand experience gained in such places as Costa Rica and Oregon.

Sustainability on a Global, National & Community Level

Field study programs in both the environmental studies major and the sustainable development minor give students the opportunity to examine the concept of sustainability in the context of the global and national economy, with firsthand experience gained in such places as Costa Rica and Oregon.

Learn more at International Programs

Environmental Studies

The interdisciplinary environmental studies major examines natural and cultural systems from many viewpoints—scientific, economic, ethical, historical, political, and sociological. Students study the uses and protection of resources essential for economic development and public well-being.

The curriculum provides a foundation of knowledge that enables students to analyze and recommend actions on environmental issues, problems, and opportunities. It also offers preparation for an environmental career; broad background in several related areas of study or concentration in a particular discipline; and a basis for graduate study. Learn More

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development courses are as common now on college campuses as recycling bins, but Rollins College was at the vanguard more than 20 years ago, offering some of the first sustainable development classes in the country.

Sustainable development—an academic intersection of environmental studies and international business—has been taught at Rollins since 1986 and the campus was the first to develop a sustainable development program in Costa Rica. “Up until then, no one had organized a program that would bring environmental studies and international business students together,” said Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Barry Allen. “It works because it brings those different viewpoints together and the required field work also allows students to see these issues in practice.” Learn More

Social Impact Hub

The Social Impact Hub is a creative space on campus where we provide tools/resources to support addressing local and global social issues. This is done through hands-on learning and purposeful dialogue based on human-centered design thinking methodology. 

Learn More