Assessing the impact: A descriptive phenomenological study examining the provision of sustainability initiatives in higher education and the impact on stakeholder values, perceptions, and behavior

Understanding what, and how, knowledge is communicated is critical in assessing how well information is transmitted in higher education. This is especially true when dealing with new fields of study or integrated practices that attempt to reach across the campus, to multiple stakeholders. This research project was conducted in order to examine differing approaches to sustainability and the real impact sustainability-oriented courses and campus operations and activities have on students and other stakeholders. Focusing on two higher education institutions in North Carolina, a descriptive phenomenological study utilizing mixed methods, was undertaken in order to further understand the values, perceptions, and behavioral connections and meanings made by students, faculty, and administration when presented with education for sustainability or related campus activities. This project was created with the intention of taking a more holistic approach in the exploration of how institutions go about imparting knowledge related to sustainability and even more critically, how it is received and applied.