The American College of Greece (ACG) has once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by earning a prestigious STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). This recognition marks the second consecutive time that ACG has achieved this esteemed rating, highlighting its ongoing dedication to sustainable practices. The STARS rating system evaluates and promotes sustainability across all aspects of higher education.
ACG’s sustainability journey has been a remarkable one, with this year’s Gold rating surpassing its previous achievement. In 2020, ACG secured a Gold rating with a score of 69.44, and in 2023, we significantly improved our performance, reaching an impressive score of 81.87. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
Rania Assariotaki, ACG’s Senior Sustainability Manager, expressed pride in our accomplishments, stating, “We are very proud to have achieved a STARS Gold rating for our sustainability accomplishments, for a second time in a row and for showing a significant improvement since our last report. We look forward to watching our sustainability efforts continue to grow and improve through the STARS program.”
You can read ACG’s STARS report, which is publicly available, here. Additionally, detailed statistics on ACG’s sustainability progress can be found by following the provided link.
ACG’s distinction of the STARS Gold rating is the result of a collective effort involving various departments and colleagues who, through their work and active personal engagement, built a strong case for sustainability. By following US best practices, ACG has made significant strides as an academic institution since its initial STARS report submission in 2015. President Horner’s 2025 vision reflects ACG’s commitment to sustainability and sets the course for future advancements.
AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser commended ACG for its substantial commitment to sustainability, stating, “STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts. ACG has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”
With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. ACG stands out as the only academic institution in Greece that submits a STARS report and is one of only two institutions outside the United States and Canada to achieve such a high rating.
The Office of Public Affairs at ACG will continue to coordinate, encourage, and report on all sustainability-related initiatives. For more detailed information on ACG’s sustainability achievements, please visit our Sustainability@ACG webpage.
About AASHE
AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. AASHE’s mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. It provides resources, professional development and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.