UTA earns STARS Gold for sustainability efforts
The University of Texas at Arlington has earned a STARS gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for its achievements in campus sustainability.
STARS—the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System—measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
At UT Arlington, the Office of Sustainability leads efforts to unify and integrate sustainability initiatives across campus. Dedicated to educating the campus and community on the importance of sustainable thinking and action, the Office of Sustainability works responsibly to improve the lives of current and future generations.
UTA received its highest rankings in the areas of research, engagement, well-being and work, and innovation and leadership.
“We are proud to earn a STARS gold rating from AASHE, which reflects UT Arlington’s deep commitment to sustainability in academics, operations and community engagement,” said Meghna Tare, chief sustainability officer at UTA. “This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff and partners who are driving meaningful change on our campus and beyond. Sustainability is not just a goal—it’s embedded in our mission as a leading urban research university.”
Related: UTA earns global recognition for sustainability
With more than 1,200 participants across 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS is the world’s most widely recognized program for publicly reporting a college’s or university’s sustainability performance. Participants are evaluated in five key areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “UTA has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS gold rating and is to be congratulated for its efforts.”
Unlike other ranking systems, STARS is open to all institutions of higher education. The criteria are transparent and accessible. Because STARS is based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.
To learn more about the STARS program, visit stars.aashe.org.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.