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Bellarmine University earned a Bronze rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS is a comprehensive sustainability framework that measures environmental, social, and economic performance at colleges and universities around the world. 

 

The recognition reflects Bellarmine’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability education, particularly through its academic programs, community engagement, and institutional planning. The university achieved its Bronze status, which is valid through 2028, in its first attempt. 

 

“This rating represents years of collective effort across campus by faculty, staff, and students who have integrated sustainability into their coursework and daily actions,” said Dr. Martha Carlson Mazur, professor of Environmental Studies and the university’s liaison for the STARS report. “I am grateful for everyone who strives to advance sustainability through their work at Bellarmine.” 

Bellarmine is one of 385 institutions globally – and one of only two in Kentucky – to earn STARS status.

Highlights of Bellarmine’s rating include strong performance in the academics and engagement categories, particularly in the number of sustainability-focused courses, immersive learning experiences, and community partnerships that extend sustainability education beyond the classroom. Bellarmine also earned top marks in diversity and affordability, reflecting its mission as an inclusive Catholic university that provides equitable access and opportunity to students of all backgrounds. 

The STARS self-assessment allows higher education institutions to benchmark progress and identify opportunities for improvement in sustainability across four main categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning. Bellarmine’s report demonstrates a foundation of strong engagement and curriculum integration. 

Bellarmine’s Sustainability Committee will next align its Campus Sustainability Action Plan with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, the global Catholic sustainability initiative inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment. The committee has set a long-range goal to achieve Silver STARS recognition for Bellarmine. 

Bellarmine’s full STARS report is publicly available on the AASHE website. 

STARS was developed by the higher education community through a transparent and inclusive process. With more than 1,200 participating institutions in 52 countries, it provides a common framework for understanding sustainability performance and creating incentives for continual improvement.