Sustainability Impact Report

Introduction to an Inspiring Year

When I arrived at Bryn Mawr College, I was struck by something that cannot easily be captured in a sustainability metric or annual report: the extraordinary commitment of this community to purpose, learning, and positive change.

This ethos guided sustainability progress for many years before the College established the Office of Sustainability in July 2025, to leverage the campus-wide enthusiasm for positive change. This past year has marked a transformative leap in the Bryn Mawr community’s commitment to sustainability. We launched our first Sustainability Seed Grant Program, created new opportunities for students to engage in applied learning, and brought together colleagues from across campus to reduce waste, improve operational practices, measure impact, and advance climate action. The greatest lesson I have (re)learned this year is that sustainability efforts succeed when they are community-driven. Some of our most exciting projects - from reducing food waste in dining halls to revitalizing the community garden and exploring new pathways for ecological restoration - are a testament to the creativity and leadership of Bryn Mawr students, faculty, and staff.

Today, we stand at the precipice of possibilities. I am often asked about my “vision” for a sustainable future, which invokes several feelings ranging from hope and excitement to uncertainty and anxiety. I alone can’t answer this question, so I am compelled to ask - What is our vision? Will we continue to approach our work with a spirit of collaboration? How can we better use principles of social responsibility and environmental justice to guide our actions? Will we build a community where every member feels empowered to contribute in the ways they are able? During times of heightened polarization, can we approach each other with kindness and empathy as we navigate collective challenges?

The challenges facing our world can feel overwhelming, but sustainability work gives us something powerful: Agency. It reminds us about the power of collective impact, and that meaningful change happens, in small ways and big, when people rally around a shared purpose and take action. The accomplishments highlighted in this report are a celebration of the inspiring progress we have made together in one year, and an invitation to continue building a better future together.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Neha Sood
Director of Sustainability and Environmental Action
Bryn Mawr College