Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been selected from a pool of more than 150 applicants as one of three recipients of a $10,000 Excellence in Green Building Cirriculum Incentive Grant from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).The grant will support the college's certificate program in sustainable design and construction, providing computer equipment and software for classroom use.
The innovative program is designed as a third-year program that builds upon an associate's degree in civil engineering or an equivalent academic degree, weaving sustainability factors into courses involving all phases of the building process.
"This grant means a lot to us," said Ralph Wells, program chair for the certificate program. "The USGBC is the recognized industry leader in promoting energy efficiency. For them to single out our program is a huge boost for our students."
The goal of the USGBC grant competition, now in its second year, is to identify and disseminate green building cirricula to educators across the country.
In addition to the Incentive Grants, the USGBC also presented ten Recognition Awards – worth $1,000 apiece.
"The extraordinary rise in green building in recent years has accelerated the need for relevant and engaging educational programs, and all of our participating organizations are playing an active role in helping USGBC meet this important need," said Rebecca Flora, senior vice president for education and research for the USGBC.
The Kentucky affiliate of the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), headquartered in Covington, received a K-12 Honorable Mention in the competition.
