Program Design & Delivery

Oakland Community College Delivers Comprehensive Sustainability Education

Long before most U.S. higher education institutions awakened to the concerns of global warming and the prospects for renewable and sustainable energy industries, Oakland Community College (MI) had a fully developed curriculum in place in renewable energies technologes and energy management. Beyond courses that train students for specific green occupations, the curriculum is designed to offer skill building for a cultural shift--by helping both students and employers to catalyze the building of a green economy. Program participants are prepared to become change agents committed to the principles of sustainability in all types of organizations.

With growing interest in areas such as green building, the college attracts both full-time degree students and practicing architects, contractors, engineers, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and business owners who want to enhance their job skills. In the 2009 academic year, OCC had more than 160 students enrolled in the Renewable Energies and Sustainable Living Certificate of Achievement (AET) program (in full class sections) along with 200 students enrolled in heating and cooling and other related courses. In addition, more than 100 people attend OCC’s seminar for contractors, subcontractors, and business owners on how to expand business and increase profits by going green.

Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability Education

Oakland Community College (OCC) uses four key strategies to build a sustainability culture:

• Business Outreach – Faculty seek out opportunities to present to and meet with business representatives to introduce green business practices and products that can help companies become more cost-efficient, meet current and future market demand, and keep abreast of regulatory issues.
• Community Engagement – OCC established an Environmental Solutions Center and Energy Awareness Center to promote community engagement on campus and increase visibility, enrollment, and positive public relations for both the program and the college. These centers host dozens of specialized workshops in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency methods, many of which attract attendees from the commercial world.
• Media Availability – As recognized green subject matter experts, the college’s faculty often serve as the go-to resource for local radio, television, and news outlets—generating media exposure for the college at little or no cost.
• Setting Degree Requirements – Courses in energy management and renewable energy technologies and economics are required courses in a variety of degree programs. In addition, the general education core requirements for all degrees include some of the key components of sustainability education. The college has set a precedent for other colleges by requiring an in-depth focus on environmental literacy and global awareness as one of the college’s 10 core attributes and competencies for graduation.

The program also provides students and practitioners with real-world experience in the community. As part of their coursework, students have engaged in local green service-learning projects, including re-roofing community buildings using renewable products, performing energy audits on government offices, and working closely with small businesses and regional hospitals to reduce waste and pollution.

Online Certificates

Oakland Community College has been able to greatly expand its reach as an energy education hub through online certificates. The college delivers highly technical programs as well special courses, such as marketing tactics for green construction and renewable products, to students well outside OCC’s direct service area.

For example, OCC's AET program provides information on each of the renewable energy technologies. Students learn about basic green and sustainable design principles, products on the market, and industry growth and potential. Courses also cover job classifications and skills, including strategies to both reduce energy waste and pollution and implement sustainable living policies and practices. Following a required course called Introduction to Renewable Energies, students choose from additional courses in sustainable design; solar energy systems; wind, hydro, and biomass, energy management; research and applications of sustainable technologies; direct digital controls; technical design for sustainable products; and sustainable products and processes.

To learn more information about Oakland Community College’s energy model programs, please visit the links below:
http://oaklandcc.edu/EST/
http://www.oaklandcc.edu/Catalog/discipline.aspx?zoom_highlight=aet+2600
http://www.greencareersguide.com/oakland-community-college-renewable-energies-and-sustainable-living-certificate-programs.html

Contact:
Dr. Debra Rowe
Professor, Oakland Community College
DGROWE@oaklandcc.edu