This is an archived UW-P news item,
originally posted: 5/12/2009.
UW-P participates in Sustainable Management degree
Energy independence and an educated workforce are critical to a prosperous future for Wisconsin. To attain these goals, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has joined with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and three other UW campuses on a bold new degree: the nation's first online Sustainable Management bachelor's degree. UW-Extension has brought together the strengths of UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior to create a degree completion program that equips workers with management skills they will need to lead sustainable business initiatives.
In as little as two years, companies can tap these "Green Collar" managers. UW-Extension and its campus partners received Board of Regents approval for the new degree Friday, May 8, 2009. Applications for fall 2009 are accepted beginning Friday, May 15.
"I commend the UW-Extension for developing the nation's first online Sustainable Management bachelor's degree," said Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel. "The Green Economy has real growth potential in Wisconsin, and we will need skilled and talented workers to get the job done."
Far from an academic exercise, the Sustainable Management degree takes the theories of sustainability and makes them tangible in the business setting. It's a hands-on, problem-solving degree. By teaching the fundamentals of the Triple Bottom Line, graduates can immediately help their companies create profits, preserve the environment, and improve their surrounding communities.
These include facilities managers who must compare the costs of solar panels to clean coal to biofuels to determine currency and carbon costs; plant managers who must find environmentally sensitive ways manage storm water run-off and install geothermal systems using the Earth's energy to heat and cool facilities; human resources directors who must determine the long-term impact of labor decisions on community welfare; and product managers who must bring new paint technology online to cut greenhouse gas emissions or evaluate existing packaging processes against current sustainability standards
The Sustainable Management degree was crafted in close partnership with the companies leading the way in sustainability such as Johnson Controls, Ford Motor Company, Eastman Kodak, Quad Graphics, FedEx, SC Johnson, Kohl's, Veolia Environmental Services and Modine Manufacturing.
"Johnson Controls continually seeks highly qualified, educated and skilled individuals to fill a number of key positions, and we look to the University of Wisconsin System to help educate and train the residents of the state," said Judith Mouton, Education Program Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions at Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Johnson Controls. "I have reviewed a draft of the curriculum and believe that the knowledge and competencies that students gain from this degree will be useful in the ever-growing sustainability job market."
"There's a clear connection between education level and economic stability," said UW-Extension Dean David Schejbal. "We knew we needed 21st century degrees that prepared students to make a positive impact on the state while moving their own careers forward. That's what the Sustainable Management degree does. And we're the first major university to offer undergraduate students this option."
UW-Parkside's John Skalbeck said the new degree could not come at a better time.
"We are very excited about being part of this innovative program, a program that provides the opportunity for people to complete their bachelor of science degree online in a very important field of study," said Skalbeck, an associate professor of Geosciences at UW-Parkside. "The importance of sustainability is rapidly becoming common knowledge and graduates of this program will be well positioned to succeed in the emerging green economy."
The 21-course, 63-credit degree is unique in that it's the first online degree to combine the full resources of four nationally recognized campuses with a minimal carbon footprint and the personal flexibility that online learning has always offered. Courses are available and accessible wherever there's an Internet connection. Classes begin in fall 2009. For more information or to complete an application, visit http://sustain.wisconsin.edu on the web.Publish date: 5/12/2009
