COMMUNITY, CAMPUS, AND CLIMATE AT CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE—3C INITIATIVE: Kearney Center Living Learning Lab and Ecosystem

Central Community College (CCC) has multiple campuses and centers in rural agricultural communities throughout Central Nebraska and College President, Dr. Greg Smith, was an early adopter to the vision of economic and environmental sustainability. Central Community College has been a Cum Laude Leader since 2011 and signatory of the Climate Commitment as part of the Climate Leadership Network (previously the ACUPCC). CCC made a commitment to educate, implement and model the practices needed for a sustainable future. For our communities and ultimately globally, we believe environmental sustainability is important and necessary for healthy communities, people and economic sustainability. Each CCC campus and center also has available land to commit to renewable energy, typically not available in most major metropolitan campuses. The State of Nebraska is a late adopter to renewable energy, but with the potential for reduced operating costs, is now embracing sustainable development with CCC and providing leadership with our 3C initiative and Environmental Sustainability Action Plan.