The Sustainable Environment Institute (SEI) serves as the primary in-house organizer, developer, and host for faculty professional development regarding sustainability across the Los Angeles Community College District. Our framework is designed to empower educators with the tools, research, and collaborative networks necessary to embed environmental equity into every discipline.

Training & Collaborative Learning

We foster a culture of continuous learning through structured engagement opportunities that help faculty stay at the forefront of climate education:

• Workshops & Seminars: SEI hosts monthly workshops and a recurring Seminar Series featuring experts on topics ranging from water dynamics to strategies for embedding climate literacy across diverse disciplines.
• Communities of Practice: We facilitate cross-college collaboration through coaching, field trips, Community of Practice and other events that allow faculty to share best practices and strengthen their pedagogical approach.
• Research & Communication: SEI researchers identify emerging trends and share them through a district-wide newsletter, ensuring faculty have access to the latest environmental news and events.

Curriculum Innovation & Resource Sharing

SEI provides technical support to move sustainability beyond the science lab and into every classroom:

• The Environmental Equity Education Demonstration Project: Our flagship project serves as a model for how to successfully embed environmental equity into the core curriculum.
• Curriculum Resource Library: Faculty have access to a curated collection of teaching materials ready for immediate use in their courses.
• Interdisciplinary Support: We offer specialized training to help academic programs—to develop and promote environmental equity focused classes across disciplines.

Experiential Learning: The Campus as a Classroom

We bridge the gap between academic theory and institutional operations by turning our physical campuses into learning laboratories:

• Facilities Partnerships: Through a unique partnership with district facilities, we facilitate faculty-led tours of new construction sites, technical equipment inspections, and maintenance operations that were previously restricted.
• Internship Integration: SEI has been instrumental in expanding sustainability-related internships helping faculty connect students in Career Technical Education (CTE) and other fields to hands-on professional experience.

Leadership, Advocacy & Policy

We “uplift faculty” by providing a platform for leadership and institutional change:

• Shared Governance: SEI assists faculty in forming Sustainability Committees at the campus level, fostering joint efforts between faculty, staff, students and administration.
• Policy Impact: We provide opportunities for faculty to network with stakeholders, attend conferences, and work with legislators to impact district and statewide policy.
• Community & University Partnerships: We connect faculty with local indigenous communities and university partners like UCLA to expand the resources needed to support teaching that is grounded in diverse perspectives and regional needs.