Central Community College has been recognized as a Top Performer in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the #2 position among U.S. two-year colleges, showcasing overall excellence among associates institutions.
A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 13 impact areas, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
“Central Community College is fortunate to have committed administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders all contributing to detailed reporting,” said Ben Newton, CCC sustainability director. “The effort has led to significant reductions of energy, fuel, waste and water usage at all CCC locations.”
CCC earned its Top Performer status by managing native pollinator gardens, composting food waste and promoting renewable energy usage. Also, Students4Sustainability, a student-led club, sells native seeds from CCC gardens and collaborates with local and Midwest community organizations.
“Central Community College, like most Nebraskans, value our natural resources so we are pleased to continue to demonstrate our commitment and education of how we all can be better stewards of those precious resources and show more efficient use of energy and fuel,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall.
“Congratulations to Central Community College on earning recognition as a Top Performer in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “Achieving this distinction reflects years of commitment, collaboration, and sustained progress across the institution. Top-performing colleges and universities like CCC demonstrate what is possible when sustainability is embedded into institutional priorities and translated into measurable action, helping raise the bar for higher education as a whole.”
