EcoCampus wins CMU Andy Award for staff team
The CMU-Q EcoCampus staff team, which includes Elissar El-Akra Hajjar, Rosemarie Florida, Stephen Heath, and Angela Ng, was recognized at Carnegie Mellon University’s 30th Annual Andy Awards ceremony in Pittsburgh. Andy Awards recognize the legacy that CMU staff members forge through their hard work and dedication to CMU.
Story originally published in CMU News.
Written by Jen Roupe and Yana Ilieva
The EcoCampus staff at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar is a dedicated team of volunteers who work tirelessly to promote sustainability on campus through innovative and impactful projects. The team’s shared commitment to environmental, social and economic responsibility has made a significant and recognizable difference in the CMU-Q community.
“They have fundamentally shifted CMU-Q’s identity toward sustainability,” said Jennifer Bruder, associate dean for research and associate teaching professor of psychology. “They have impacted university operations significantly for the better.”
One of their most impactful achievements has been the implementation of policy changes that improve efficiency and productivity while reducing CMU-Q’s environmental footprint. These include reducing single-use plastics, managing waste more effectively, installing energy-efficient lighting, utilizing green procurement practices, creating guidelines for green events and establishing a carbon offsetting program for university travel.
Their “Passport for Sustainability” initiative, which encourages students to participate and keep track of their eco-friendly activities, fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
The EcoCampus team also organized a variety of educational events and activities, such as visits to sustainable farms, recycling and composting workshops, and even a kayaking trip to promote a better understanding of Qatar’s ecosystem.
“Their efforts have created an environment that promotes communication, trust, cooperation and respect for differences amongst our diverse community,” said Simon Faulkner, assistant teaching professor of chemistry. “Together, they are shaping our application to become the first university in the Middle East to achieve the FEE Ecocampus Green Flag award.”
The EcoCampus team’s efforts are not limited to environmental sustainability. They have extended their commitment to social responsibility by supporting CMU-Q’s service workers, providing them with meal cards, hosting a community bazaar and organizing the Language Bridges program to teach them English and computing skills.
Through their Wellness Wednesday initiative, the team hosted a series of Qigong sessions, where students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to engage in mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques.
This holistic approach showcases the team’s ability to address multiple aspects of sustainability and create a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.
In April 2024, the team attended the 1st International Conference of FEE EcoCampus in Lisbon, which provided an invaluable platform to showcase the sustainability initiatives and activities taking place at CMU-Q. The team’s presentations sparked meaningful conversations, opening up new opportunities to collaborate with international organizations.
As a culmination of their ongoing efforts, the team was instrumental in drafting a Sustainability Charter for the CMU-Q campus, which Dean Michael Trick signed on Earth Day in April 2024.
“By establishing a comprehensive framework for sustainability, the EcoCampus team has laid the foundation for a greener, more responsible future for our university community,” said Reya Saliba, instruction and outreach librarian at CMU-Q. “This achievement not only showcases the team’s exceptional dedication and leadership but also sets a powerful example for other institutions to follow.”