Established in 2014 by a transformational gift from George and Amanda Hanley. The Hanley Sustainability Institute’s (HSI) shared vision builds on decades of environmental and sustainability education, research, and community outreach. HSI positions UD students, staff and faculty as leaders in the emerging and transdisciplinary field of sustainability. Through deepening existing partnerships and developing many new partnerships on and off campus, HSI is working with the University and Dayton community to make progress toward our goal of a more sustainable campus and community and becoming a leader in sustainability education and research. HSI's 2021 strategic plan describes that work as connecting to the four emphasis areas found below.

A focus on sustainability

Why Sustainability?

Experiential Learning

Faculty-Mentored Research

The University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute and its Sustainability program provide students with a broad base of skills in the emerging field of sustainability. Students with majors or minors in sustainability learn how to work across disciplines to identify and solve sustainability problems.

Students from across the University of Dayton are involved in campus and community sustainability efforts through the Hanley Sustainability Institute and its Sustainability program. Courses based on experiential learning and student-run programs allow students to implement sustainability solutions in real-world situations.

University of Dayton students enjoy one-on-one mentorship opportunities to work with faculty on sustainability-related research projects. The Hanley Sustainability Institute and its Sustainability program offer internship and student-leader programs that allow students to create their own pathways to career success.

Developing Leaders for a Just Future

Inspire, prepare and equip students to leave campus aware of their role and confident in the tools they have to be transformative leaders for a better, more just, and sustainable future.

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Facilitating Impactful Research

Catalyze and support transdisciplinary and community based research that attempts to address root causes and drives action on sustainability challenges, globally and locally.

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Catalyzing Institutional Transformation

The university can model and create a more sustainable future by transforming its policies and practices with the engagement of leadership, staff, faculty and students.

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Engaging Communities Beyond Campus

Advance sustainability, resilience and integral ecology beyond the University of Dayton by creating deep and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners.

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Passion and purpose

Through deepening existing partnerships and developing many new partnerships on and off campus, the Hanley Sustainability Institute is working with the University and Dayton community to make progress towards our goal of a more sustainable campus and community and becoming a leader in sustainability education.

HSI Blog

Sustainability 09.03.24

UD partners with Rumpke for cardboard, styrofoam collection during move-in

Many students and faculty are involved in all areas of the move-in process, including HSI at waste collection.

Sustainability 08.30.24

A summer experience with TeamWorks conservation crew

UD student Libby Bornhorst spent the summer making a positive impact with a team in Colorado.

Experiential Learning 08.26.24

Growing community: Garden CSA program at UD

In order to ensure what is grown on campus stays on campus, HSI has decided to pilot its own CSA program.