RCE Sustainable Shenandoah Valley
Overview
RCE Shenandoah Valley, led by a collaborative team from four local institutions of higher education and one non-profit organisation, serves the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Primarily an agricultural region, the Valley features many farms (poultry, dairy, beef cattle, and crops/vegetables), and is surrounded by National Forest and National Park mountainous regions. The scenic beauty of the region is renowned. The region has only three major cities, which account for about 25% of the total RCE regional population of approximately 320,000. Typical residents possess a culture of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness and social values reflect a love of the land. While more than 95% of the local population is white, cultural diversity is evident in the urban areas and there is a growing Hispanic community.
Vision:
A sustainable Shenandoah Valley preserves and enhances our unique educational, social, environmental, and economic resources to ensure the future well-being of Valley residents and our children.
Goals and objectives:
This consortium brings together higher education representatives, teachers, members of the local business community, local and regional governmental officials, researchers, and other community members to promote:
- Dialogue and community education on pressing local sustainability issues
- Activities, events, and resources that increase understanding and awareness of how current actions can have implications for the Valley in the future
- Opportunities that develop our knowledge, skills, and behaviours to ensure the vitality of the Central Shenandoah Valley
Photo credit: RCE Shenandoah Valley
James Madison University
Role: RCE Consortium Partner
Contact Name: Carol Lena Miller
Contact email: millercl@jmu.edu
Name of organisation: Bridgewater College
Role: RCE Consortium Partner
Contact name: Tim Kreps
Contact email: tkreps@bridgewater.edu
Name of organisation: Eastern Mennonite University
Role: RCE Consortium Partner
Contact name: Andrea Troyer
Contact email: andrea.troyer@emu.edu
Name of organisation: Blue Ridge Community College
Role: RCE Consortium Partner
Contact name: Katy Simpson
Contact email: simpsonk@brcc.edu
Name of organisation: Mary Baldwin University
Role: RCE Consortium Partner
Contact name:
Contact email:
Activities
- Two annual events: "Sustainable Development in Action" and "Student Sustainability Summit"
- Planned and led by students
- Multi-institutional with community involvement
- Focus on SDGs at both events
- Website improvement
- Development/engagement of Community Advisory Board
More youth engagement across institutions
Successful implementation of an annual Student Sustainability Summit that features SDG-related student research and projects. The event is well attended by students from all RCE consortium partners, faculty, and community members.
Communication Channels
Contact Details
millercl@jmu.edu
grandese@jmu.edu
Carol Lena Miller
JMU College of Integrated Science and Engineering
MSC 4302
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
