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 ºÚÁÏÍø 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

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)

PositionCurrently 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 LifeDavid Scott, Assistant Director of Housing Facilities
Staff-at-LargeLiz Flores, Chemical Engineering Department Coordinator

Three (3) student commissioners (* indicates a permanent member)

PositionCurrently 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 studentVacant

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

PositionCurrently Held By
College of Arts RepresentativeKent Hayward,  Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts
College of Business RepresentativeNataliya Acc-Nikmehr, Lecturer of Management and HRM
College of Education RepresentativeVictoria Bryan, Lecturer of Liberal Studies
College of Engineering RepresentativeDr. Shams Tanvir, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management
College of Health and Human Services RepresentativeKatie 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 RepresentativeDr. Christine Whitcraft, Professor of Biology
Faculty-at-LargeDr. 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