To meet climate crisis demands, Rowan University launches national search for 10 sustainability ‘catalysts’

Rowan University is conducting a national search for 10 new faculty to develop, advance and communicate solutions to humanity’s most pressing existential threats posed by the climate and biodiversity crises. 

Its university-wide Catalysts for Sustainability cohort will lead and collaborate across its colleges, disciplines and communities, driving new initiatives in sustainability research, advocacy and education. 

“Higher education must adapt now to not only meet the needs of this generation, but the generations to follow,” said Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D. “Investing in sustainability education across every discipline ensures every student can take part in reshaping our planet’s future.”

The top 100 public research university is recruiting a diverse pool of researchers with expertise in one or more of the following areas: environmental justice; education and public engagement including storytelling; public policy and advocacy; discipline-specific sustainability scholarship; and sustainability practice. 

The catalysts will represent each college and school on the university’s Glassboro campus, connecting every academic division through a common purpose. Ranked the fourth fastest-growing public doctoral institution in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Rowan is driving rapidly toward R1 status, attracting innovators and experts whose ambitions match the institution's. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for innovative and entrepreneurial scholars who want to make impactful change—they will be the groundbreakers,” said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. “We are driving our research by appointing a catalyst in every college and school on our main campus to position Rowan as a thought leader in sustainability research, education and policy.”

The initiative advances Rowan’s investment in sustainability as a priority. In the last five years, Rowan has: 

• opened the School of Earth & Environment
• established the university-wide Center for Responsible Leadership, based in the Rohrer College of Business
• formed the University Sustainability Committee
• begun construction of Edelman Fossil Park Museum, a net-zero facility whose themes are centered around exploration, discovery and responsible stewardship of our planet
• created a certificate program on food systems planning in the Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability 
• hosted a global conference on bio-based and sustainable materials and technologies
• launched the Sustainable Facilities Center to help public and private entities sustainably manage facilities by reducing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of buildings

To learn more about the Catalysts for Sustainability program, visit go.rowan.edu/catalysts