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Raritan Valley Community College has earned a STARS Silver Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

Participating in STARS supports RVCC’s continued progress towards environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The College completed its first STARS report in 2011. This year, RVCC reported under the new STARS 3.0, which features a greater scope than previous versions of the rating system. In 2025, RVCC was recognized as the top community college in the country for sustainability efforts based on the previous STARS rating.

RVCC’s STARS report highlights programs and practices across campus that contribute to sustainability, including those led by the Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Institutional Engagement, Student Life clubs, and the Forum Environmental Sustainability Committee. The College’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website.

“Raritan Valley Community College continues to look for new and innovative ways to increase campus sustainability and to demonstrate environmental leadership in the classroom, across campus, and throughout the community. The College’s greenhouse gas reductions, academic curriculum, sustainability research, and ecologically managed grounds practices demonstrate its commitment to sustainability in all areas,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough.

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Raritan Valley Community College has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

Unlike other rating or ranking systems, this program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.

About RVCC:

Ranked by WalletHub.com, Intelligent.com, and CollegeEvaluator.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community and environmental stewardship. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers approximately 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

About AASHE:

AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation.  It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. For more information about AASHE, visit www.aashe.org.

For more information about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 6, 2026

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

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