Unity College has received recognition from two national organizations for its innovative learning opportunities and as one of the nation’s 32 “greenest” campuses.

The college earned a national Colleges of Distinction designation in 2014–15, according to a news release from the college, by “expanding innovative opportunities to earn college credit by participating in service learning, learning communities, internships and other new educational paradigms,” according to the group Colleges of Distinction.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education also recognized the college for achieving “the greatest level of success with green initiatives on-campus and within in its surrounding community,” according to the release

To achieve the green initiative nod, the sustainability group used the voluntary Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. Recognized colleges and universities earned the highest ratings for launching effective initiatives to reduce on-campus waste and energy consumption, promote alternative transportation, provide funding to student and faculty-led green proposals and take other measures to benefit the environment, according to the release.

“Unity has a long-standing reputation as one of the most comprehensive environmental colleges in the U.S.,” the release quotes the rating as saying. “The institution’s focus on sustainable science and focus on practical solutions to modern ecological issues has become a strong voice in the battle to neutralize climate change.”

The rating noted that “the college offers 16 environmentally focused majors, all of which rely on hands-on service learning and a strong sustainability science core.”

Tyson Schritter, executive editor for Colleges of Distinction, said, according to the release, “Students increasingly demand access to hands-on learning, and we congratulate Unity College for leading the way in the development of new methodologies that prepare students for the future.”

To earn the Colleges of Distinction honor, schools are rated in categories including engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. High school counselors and educators make nominations, and each school is evaluated on key indicators including student engagement, student empowerment and curricular innovation, according to the release. It also includes a review of each institution’s freshman experience, as well as its general education program, strategic plan and alumni success and satisfaction measures.

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