Sustainability

A JWU student picking vegetables at a farm

Start Your Sustainable Journey

Make a Lasting Impact

At JWU, we believe sustainability touches every aspect of life. Its influence shapes how we live on our campuses, how we manage our facilities and — perhaps most importantly — how we teach in our classrooms. We have woven sustainability into the fabric of the JWU experience, from the programs our students study to the lightbulbs that illuminate the spaces where they learn — and everything in between. (Learn more about our sustainable campus and initiatives.)

Whether you study Business, Food Innovation, Health & Wellness, Design, Biology or any JWU program, you’ll find themes of sustainability and sustainable practices in your studies. You’ll learn how it impacts every topic, industry and career in today’s world. You’ll begin to understand why we’re so passionate about it. Then, hopefully, you’ll become passionate about it, too.

Sustainability Programs

Food Innovation & Technology

JWU’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Food Innovation & Technology explores the complexities of our global food system and provides an opportunity for students to analyze the impact food has on people, industries, and the environment.

Explore Food Innovation & Technology (M.S.)

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Global Tourism & Sustainable Economic Development

Further your education and make an impact on the world with this master’s degree, which will teach you how to strategize and develop viable programs for sustainable tourism and economic development projects.

Explore Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development (M.S.)

Sustainable Food Systems

This bachelor’s program studies the web of the food system, from the farm to supply chains, from the debate hall to the kitchen, and from the community to the Capitol. Choose from Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts tracks.

Explore Sustainable Food Systems (B.S.)

Tourism students riding in a jeep on safari.

Tourism & Hospitality Management

Do you love traveling and working with people? Take advantage of our Tourism & Hospitality Management bachelor of science program, which will provide you with a broad-based foundation in the current fundamentals of tourism and hospitality management.

Explore Tourism & Hospitality Management (B.S.)

JWU students riding camels to the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

Adventure, Sports, and Sustainable Tourism

Develop a better understanding of how tourism can enhance the welfare of people while protecting and interacting with the natural environment.

Explore Adventure, Sports and Sustainable Tourism (B.S.)

A closeup of a student preparing a plant to be sown

Environmental Sustainability

Complement any bachelor program with this minor that delves deeper into the scientific, public policy and economic challenges of current environmental problems.

Explore Environmental Sustainability (Minor)

“Education is our best tool to achieve social justice in a sustainable world.”

A Professor with Passion

Born and raised in Iceland, a country almost completely powered by renewable energy, Magnus Thorsson, Ph.D., '94 developed an interest in energy efficiency and sustainability at a very young age. He came to the U.S. specifically to attend JWU’s Hotel Management program, and went on to marry his love for hospitality with his passion for sustainability as an owner and operator of a ski lodge in Southern Vermont.

Read Associate Professor Thorsson’s Story

Professor Magnus Thorsson walking his dog on a path by the ocean

Featured Faculty

Magnus Thorsson, Ph.D.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a lifetime passion for sustainability, Magnus Thorsson '94, Ph.D. has brought sustainable practices into his hospitality courses since joining JWU’s College of Hospitality Management in 2011. He has recently shifted to the College of Business to teach courses on sustainable business practices and aid in the development of new programs, including Cannabis Entrepreneurship.

Read Magnus’ Full Bio

Branden Lewis '04, '06 MBA, Ed.D

An associate professor in JWU’s College of Food Innovation and Technology, Branden Lewis is a specialist in international cuisines and sustainable food systems and believes sustainability topics should be incorporated into culinary education. He has led a team of faculty to develop the school’s Sustainable Food Systems bachelor of science degree and Culinary Sustainability minor.

Read Branden’s Full Bio

Douglas Stuchel

Associate Professor Doug Stuchel has a passion for food and the food systems, ethical farming, culinary arts, food & beverage trends, sustainability & wellness, and food justice. He’s also passionate about how employees are paid and treated within the hospitality/food and beverage industry, including improving the social justice inequities, the pursuit of equal pay, and ending harassment and discrimination. He brings this passion into his courses in the College of Hospitality Management.

Read Doug’s Full Bio

Kelly Patkus '07

Kelly Patkus brings sustainability into the world of baking & pastry. In 2015, she was selected for the coveted Legacy Award from the Les Dames d’Escoffier where she spent a week working on a sustainable farm in Hawaii. In 2016, she earned her Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College (Poultney, Vermont). She is currently a faculty advisor for the Charlotte Campus’ edible garden, the Coop; she also serves on the campus’ Sustainability Council.

Read Kelly’s Full Bio