Sustainability performance recognition

JMU earned a STARS Gold rating in October 2024 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. JMU has a long history of sustainability efforts across the university. The recent performance that is documented in the STARS report reflects the continued work of JMU’s faculty, staff, and students.

Access the 2024 STARS Report

Sustainability research recognition

JMU is recognized as a Top Performer in Research in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, a national report published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). 

JMU earned its Top Performer spot in recognition of conducting sustainability research and scholarship; encouraging student and faculty sustainability research; recognizing interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research in tenure and promotion; providing library support for sustainability research and learning; and supporting open access of published research. More than 300 JMU scholars, along with JMU Libraries, the Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World (ISNW), and the Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, contributed to this achievement.

Access the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index

• Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
  • Campus Environmental Stewardship Initiative, Gold Medal, 2010
  • Food-related Waste Reduction Program, Honorable Mention, 2012
  • Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment, Bronze Medal, 2013
  • East Campus Hillside Naturalization Project, Silver Medal, 2014
  • Strategies for Residence Hall Energy Reduction, Honorable Mention, 2016
• The Virginia Recycling Association, Award for Excellence, Outstanding University Category, 2013
• The Virginia Sustainable Building Network, Green Innovation Award for Wayland Hall, 2013
• James River Green Building Council, Green Building Leadership Award, 2014
• U.S. Green Building Council of Greater Virginia, Best Institutional Project for the Student Success Center, 2015
• International Society of Arboriculture, Gold Leaf Award for Outstanding Landscape Beautification Activities, 2016
• Water Environment Federation, Gold Level in Project Management & Gold Level in Innovation for MS4 Program, 2016
• Princeton Review's guides to green colleges, included 2010 to present
• Tree Campus USA, Arbor Day Foundation, 2018 to present
• APPA Leadership in Educational Facilities, Sustainability Innovation Award, 2018
• Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner, 2014 to present
• Bee Campus USA Affiliate, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 2019 to present
• Princeton Review's Top 50 Green Colleges, 2022
• Virginia Pollinator-Smart Program Certification, 2023

See the Facilities Management sustainability team's website for information about green building certifications and features.