To meet the needs of a diverse student body, George Mason University has a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, minors and certificates that promote sustainability. Sustainability programs at Mason seek to guide students to critically assess the environmental, social, economic and ethical impacts of technology and policy decisions. The Green Leaf academic programs encourage personal reflection and discovery of the benefits of sustainable living. They provide creative outlets to capture and convey the spirit of the sustainability movement.
Experiential learning opportunities abound as students investigate solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Mason has Green Leaf courses which are noted in the course catalog, as well as sustainability and well-being pathways through General Education courses (Mason ENCORE), sustainability research centers, experiential learning in the community (Mason Impact), and co-curricular offerings in the Patriot Experience.
One example of this type of hands-on opportunity is the “Rain Project” designed and implemented by Environmental Science & Policy students. Professor Changwoo Ahn’s classes carried out a yearlong project that created a 1,700-plant floating wetland on Mason Pond. It brought together art and science students to achieve the goals of cleaner water and spurring ecological awareness.