President's Commission on Sustainability
The President’s Commission on Sustainability (PCS) was established in 2018 for the purpose of integrating sustainability--defined as the intentional and simultaneous focus on environmental, social, and economic health--into all aspects of the university.
Mission
We strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and just community that fosters collaborative teaching, research, engagement, and ethics. By amplifying the perspectives of historically marginalized cultures and communities, we aim to elevate awareness of climate justice and environmental racism.
Our mission extends to connecting students with community partners to alleviate climate justice burdens and linking diverse environmental knowledge systems with historical experiences. We recognize the interconnectedness of capitalism, colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and other systems of exploitation and oppression, and aim to address their failures locally and globally.
We will lead initiatives in climate education, green workforce development, carbon-neutral operations, and collective action to confront the global climate crisis, advancing a Just Transition for all.
Goals
- Develop and support initiatives that integrate sustainability and climate justice into all aspects of campus life.
- Integrate sustainability into the University’s Strategic Plan activities and initiatives through active engagement.
- Increase partnerships and collaboration with the City of Long Beach and the greater regional community with the goal of achieving shared sustainability goals.
- Raise the profile of sustainability efforts to meet and surpass university and state commitments and regulatory requirements.
- Elevate the profile of sustainability research, scholarly, and creative activities and leadership at CSULB on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
- Enhance the ability of the campus to attract state, federal, foundation and private funds by leveraging the university’s identity as a leader in sustainability action and research.
- Involve and engage faculty, staff and students in sustainability practices and activities through instruction, outreach, and student life activities.
Key Priority Areas
The PCS is focused on the following priority areas.
- Implementing our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan
- Integrating Sustainability Throughout the Curriculum
- Engaging & Communicating with our Community
PCS Committees will lead the important and exciting work of accomplishing these key priorities.
PCS Committees and Network
- Transportation Solutions Committee
- Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee
- Sustainability Fellows Committee
- Carbon Offset Committee
- Fundraising Committee
All members of the campus and community partners are eligible to join the PCS Network and serve on these Committees. Committees meet at least once per month. Appointments to PCS Committees are at the discretion of the Chairs. If you are interested in joining a committee as a member, please contact Holli.Fajack@csulb.edu and Kim.Kelly@csulb.edu.
See the list of PCS Network Members here.
Members of the PCS
While anyone can join the PCS Network and serve on a Committee, the voting members of the Commission are comprised of the following positions, which will be elected or appointed as outlined in the PCS Bylaws. The individuals currently serving are listed below:
Six (6) Staff Commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)
| Position | Currently Held By |
| Vice President, Administration & Finance* | Scott Apel |
| Associate Vice President, Beach Building Services* | Mark Zakhour |
| Sustainability Manager* (Permanent Co-Chair) | Holli Fajack |
| Representative from Associated Students, Inc. | Arnecia Bryant, Director of Facilities Operations and Sustainability |
| Representative from Housing and Residential Life | David Scott, Assistant Director of Housing Facilities |
| Staff-at-Large | Liz Flores, Chemical Engineering Department Coordinator |
Three (3) student commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)
| Position | Currently Held By |
| Associated Students, Inc. President or designee* | Huy Pham, Senator for College of Engineering |
| Associated Students, Inc. Commissioner for Environmental Justice (or equivalent position)* | Adam Aguayo, Commissioner for Environmental Justice |
| Member-at-large – undergraduate or graduate student | Vacant |
Eight (8) faculty commissioners
Faculty members with an interest, knowledge and commitment to sustainability from across the university; at least one from each academic college and one at-large chosen by the University President
| Position | Currently Held By |
| College of Arts Representative | Kent Hayward, Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts |
| College of Business Representative | Nataliya Acc-Nikmehr, Lecturer of Management and HRM |
| College of Education Representative | Victoria Bryan, Lecturer of Liberal Studies |
| College of Engineering Representative | Dr. Shams Tanvir, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management |
| College of Health and Human Services Representative | Katie Dudley, Assistant Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies |
| College of Liberal Arts Representative (Co-Chair) | Dr. Kimberly Kelly, Professor and Chair of Human Development |
| College of Natural Science and Mathematics Representative | Dr. Christine Whitcraft, Professor of Biology |
| Faculty-at-Large | Dr. Erika Holland, Assistant Professor of Biology |
Three (3) community commissioners from local business community, non-profit sector, NGOs, Community activists, and/or local and regional government.
These positions are currently vacant
