Sustainability Manager Appointed to AASHE STARS Steering Committee

Pallavi Pokharel, ISU's Sustainability Manager, has been appointed to the STARS Steering Committee of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Her three-year term will run from 2026 to 2028.

AASHE is the leading international organization advancing sustainability in higher education. Its flagship program, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), is the most widely used sustainability benchmarking and reporting framework for colleges and universities worldwide. STARS provides institutions with a comprehensive structure to measure and publicly report sustainability performance across academics, campus engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation.

More than a thousand institutions globally participate in STARS, earning Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum ratings based on verified performance. Participation signals an institution's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, while also offering national and international visibility through publicly available reports and benchmarking tools.

The STARS Steering Committee serves as the primary governing body for the program. The committee approves updates and revisions to the technical content of STARS, including each new version of the framework, and advises AASHE on program policy, finances, and strategic positioning. Steering Committee members are selected through a competitive appointment process and serve three-year terms, with the possibility of reappointment.

Pokharel's selection is a milestone for ISU and the broader region.

She is the first representative from Idaho State University-and the first from this region of the western United States-to be appointed to the STARS Steering Committee. The appointment reflects both her professional expertise in sustainability and ISU's growing presence in national higher education sustainability leadership.

Through this role, Pokharel will help shape how sustainability is defined, measured, and advanced across colleges and universities worldwide. The position provides direct insight into emerging best practices, evolving standards, and national priorities that influence campus planning, operations, and investment decisions.

At ISU, Pokharel plans to leverage her appointment to strengthen alignment between institutional sustainability efforts and STARS criteria. Her focus will include improving data-driven decision-making, supporting campus-wide collaboration, and advancing ISU's progress toward higher STARS ratings over time.

Pokharel's appointment positions Idaho State University at the forefront of sustainability leadership in higher education, reinforcing the university's commitment to continuous improvement, national engagement, and responsible stewardship for future generations.