PCC earns gold, deepens commitment to climate and sustainability leadership
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter and James Hill.
The sustainability team: From left, Briar Wray (associate dean of Sustainability Strategies), Hailey Swain (learning garden assistant), Jade Menchaca (sustainability coordinator), Moon Doherty (learning garden coordinator), Stephania Fregosi (sustainability analyst) and Peter Ritson (environmental center coordinator).
Portland Community College is once again making waves in the sustainability world.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently named PCC a top performer in its 2025 Campus Sustainability Index for Associate and Short-Cycle Institutions, adding another major milestone in the college’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility. This recognition follows PCC’s Gold rating from STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) in March from the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting sustainability performance in higher education.
“We are thrilled, as this sustainability rockstar-like designation validates our collaborative and holistic approach,” said Briar Wray, PCC’s associate dean of sustainability strategies. “This is a big year for us as we update our Climate Action Plan and continue pushing the envelope for sustainability leadership in higher education.”
Electrical charging station at the Columbia County Center.
In addition to its overall Gold rating, PCC earned special recognition for excellence in “Buildings & Grounds, Procurement and Waste, and Innovation,” particularly for its Basic Needs and Sustainability Leadership program. The Campus Sustainability Index is grounded in the STARS system, which assesses progress in five major categories: academics; engagement; operations; planning and administration; and innovation and leadership.
“We’re so pleased to be recognized by AASHE with a STARS Gold rating for our sustainability accomplishments,” said Stephania Fregosi, PCC sustainability analyst. “At PCC, sustainability happens across the institution, and it’s awesome to see how our values are transforming the college.”
PCC’s sustainability efforts span nearly 20 years. The college’s Board of Directors adopted a Sustainability Policy in 2006 and soon after signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, setting a course toward climate neutrality.
Since 2012, PCC has used STARS to measure and enhance its progress, earning recognition as a top performer among associate-level institutions nationwide. The 2025 Gold rating represents the college’s strongest performance to date.
With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is a transparent, open-access platform that promotes shared learning and collaboration across higher education. Ratings—ranging from Bronze to Platinum—reflect how deeply sustainability is woven into an institution’s culture and operations.
Learning gardens are a big component to the sustainability team’s work.
Sustainability remains an essential pillar of PCC’s mission, driving initiatives that integrate environmental stewardship into academics, operations, and community engagement. As the college revises its Climate Action Plan, leaders say the work is far from done.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” Wray said. “But sustainability is about continuous improvement. We’re stretching to go even deeper, to make PCC a model for what’s possible.”
For more information, visit pcc.edu/sustainability or pcc.edu/climateaction.
Climate Action Plan Update 2025-2026
Take part in the CAP Survey and help guide the college’s next steps toward climate justice. Your voice matters in shaping a greener, more equitable future at PCC.
The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential with the Climate Action Planning Task Force. At the end, you can enter a drawing for sustainably sourced, upcycled prizes like a cooler tote made from retired PCC banners packed with a reusable tumbler and cutlery set, or a PCC T-shirt that shows your climate pride.
Enter the survey here.