Micro-credentials
While traditional degrees and certificate programs recognize more robust programs of academic study, micro-credentials provide a way to recognize and document the acquisition of specific skills or competencies. Upon successful completion of a micro-credential program, learners are issued a digital badge that allows achievements to be displayed and shared. Just as diplomas serve to recognize degrees, digital badges are artifacts that offer recognition and storytelling about micro-credentials. Badges contain metadata about the program’s requirements and learning objectives, as well as links to educational artifacts. Micro-credentials at CU Boulder are administered by the Office of the Registrar.
Climate Justice Leadership Alliance
The Climate Justice Leadership Alliance empowers students, staff, and faculty with the knowledge and skills to advance both environmental and social justice efforts by understanding its interdependence. The purpose of this alliance is to illuminate the direct correlation of environmental and social justice work which, in turn, creates an opportunity for student leadership and action surrounding this work on CU campus and beyond. This group builds a community of change agents, explores questions of identity and place, heritage and inheritance, root causes of the global oppression and disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis, recognizes existing leadership and efforts, and creates community- based solutions. We examine individual actions and identities as well as global institutions, world views, and different approaches to ecological systems and design. We will also meet with and learn from practitioners in the field.
The alliance aims to facilitate deep discussion, meaningful reflection, and solutions-focused thinking to activate voices and actualize potential. Participants will benefit from a dynamic co-curricular experience and gain knowledge and skill sets with widespread application and value. These learnings will be put into practice through collaboration with the campus and community Climate Justice planning efforts which will have real world impact.
- Develop and implement Campus and Community Actions for Climate justice.
- Attain experience and tools to make an impact with collaborative community projects.
- Build contemporary DEI-based leadership skills.
- Pride in their tangible community impacts.
- Resume-building experience.
- Peer networking.
- Earn Climate Justice Leadership Alliance micro-credential badge.
- This program is geared to all students, faculty, and staff. This will be a safe and inclusive space for all to participate regardless of level and identity.
- There is no participation fee.
Students participating in the Climate Justice Leadership Alliance will have the opportunity to receive a Micro-credential from the Environmental Center for participation if a minimum number of requirements are accomplished throughout the semester. However, participation in the monthly meeting, training and events is still available to anyone interested despite their desire to earn the Micro-credential.
- Attend 2 out of 4 monthly gatherings offered each semester.
- Attend 1 half day training offered each semester with a 1-pg reflection paper.
- Attend at least 1 event centering climate justice outside of CJLA with a 1-pg reflection summary.
- Submit a final reflection at the end of the program with plans to integrate lessons learned.
The Sustainability Innovation micro-credential provides students with a foundational understanding of sustainability and an overview of projects and initiatives implemented at CU. Students will participate in workshops that will teach them creative problem-solving techniques, proposal development and how to engage stakeholders. They will receive a one-on-one mentoring session to get feedback and finish with a capstone implementing the newly learned skills in a project proposal or presentation.
To earn the Sustainability Innovation micro-credential, students will need to:
- Take the CU: Sustainability Skillsoft course
- Attend the Design Thinking for Sustainability Workshop on TBA in February 2025. Participants will learn how to use the design thinking process to explore problems, work in a team to come up with solutions and practice presenting them. Students will also learn circular design strategies and work together to use those strategies to re-design an everyday product to make them more sustainable. Dinner will be provided to participants!
- Attend a project development workshop in March (Exact date TBD). This workshop covers idea testing, proposal development, pitch formulation, stakeholder engagement and systems thinking. Students will gain feedback and tools to build out and identify support for project proposals.
- Complete a one-on-one mentoring session to test and validate project ideas.
- Capstone presentation. Participants will share their project in class or programs such as New Venture Challenge, CU Sustainability Hackathon or Campus Sustainability Summit Showcase.
- Attend the annual CU sustainability hackathon that takes place October 17th- 24th. This is an opportunity for students to “hack” some of the sustainability issues facing our society. The key is coming together with others who are passionate about solving problems, teaming up on a solution idea, and having fun in the process of building something to have an impact on the world. Find more details here.
Foundations in Sustainable Leadership
The Foundations in Sustainable Leadership Program will introduce students to the foundational sustainability concepts needed to understand the challenges society faces while exploring the skills that leaders working in sustainability need to tackle the challenges. The program is designed as a collaborative learning experience with interactive discussions, activities, and reflections to enrich knowledge, cultivate leadership skills, and connect with other students who want to make an impact. It uses the Social Model of Leadership development to introduce students to leadership as a process to create social change. Students who complete the program requirements will earn a micro-credential. Join us to explore, engage, and empower yourself to be part of the change you would like to see in the world.
To earn the micro-credential students will need to:
- Attend workshop. Schedule for 2024-25 forthcoming
- Take an assessment at the end of the program
- Submit a one-page reflection on what you have learned and gotten out of the program