The American College of Greece (ACG) has earned international recognition in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index, ranking first in Campus Engagement and Food & Dining and securing the top overall position among institutions offering master’s degrees. The achievement marks the 11th consecutive year the college has been recognized as a sustainability leader.
The American College of Greece has once again been recognized as a top performer in the Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
The 2026 recognition highlights the college’s sustainability efforts across academics, campus operations, community engagement and student and employee well-being.
ACG received recognition in six categories, placing first in Campus Engagement and Food & Dining, second in Curriculum, and third in both Public Engagement and Wellbeing & Work. It also achieved the top overall position among master’s institutions.
The results reinforce the college’s position as an international leader in sustainability within higher education.
Top Rankings Across Multiple Categories
ACG’s performance reflects a broad institutional approach to sustainability, integrating environmental and social responsibility into campus life, academic programs and relationships with the wider community.
The college achieved the following rankings in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index:
- 1st place — Campus Engagement: Sustainability education, student-led initiatives, employee engagement and efforts to build a sustainability-focused campus culture.
- 1st place — Food & Dining: Responsible food sourcing, partnerships with suppliers that create positive social impact, and initiatives to prevent food waste and make use of surplus food.
- 2nd place — Curriculum: Sustainability-focused courses and academic programs, applied learning opportunities and education in sustainable development.
- 3rd place — Public Engagement: Volunteering, community partnerships, public dialogue, continuing education and collaboration with other educational institutions.
- 3rd place — Wellbeing & Work: Health, safety and well-being for students and employees, alongside workplace rights, pay equity and fair-wage practices.
- 1st overall — Master’s Institutions: Recognition based on the college’s overall sustainability performance and its STARS Gold rating.
The rankings reflect a comprehensive approach that goes beyond environmental initiatives to include education, institutional practices and social responsibility.
A Gold Rating Under the Latest Sustainability Framework
ACG’s performance was evaluated using version 3.0 of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), the latest and more rigorous version of the framework.
The college earned a Gold rating with a score of 84.70, marking its third time receiving the distinction. The score represents an improvement from 81.87 in its 2023 assessment and is the highest in the institution’s reporting history.
According to ACG, its Gold-level performance places it among just 21 institutions outside the United States and Canada, including only four institutions in Europe.
The STARS framework assesses sustainability through a transparent reporting system covering academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. It enables colleges and universities to evaluate their performance and identify opportunities for continued improvement.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
Rania Assariotaki, Sustainability Director at The American College of Greece, described the recognition as an important achievement for the entire college community.
“This outstanding recognition is a proud moment for the entire ACG community and a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to sustainability,” Assariotaki said.
She noted that the college’s success across six areas demonstrates the breadth of its efforts, from education and student engagement to campus operations and well-being. She added that the recognition strengthens ACG’s international standing and encourages the institution to continue expanding its impact.
Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of AASHE, also congratulated the college, emphasizing the years of collaboration and continued progress behind the achievement.
She said leading institutions demonstrate what is possible when sustainability becomes an institutional priority and is translated into measurable action.
Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education
The Sustainable Campus Index highlights colleges and universities that demonstrate strong sustainability performance across 13 impact areas. Published annually by AASHE, the index uses STARS assessments to recognize institutions that integrate sustainability into their academic, operational and community activities.
For ACG, this year’s results continue a record of international recognition dating back to 2016.
The college’s approach includes expanding sustainability-related courses, encouraging student participation, improving campus practices, strengthening partnerships and promoting responsible resource use.
Its performance in Food & Dining also reflects efforts to reduce food waste and encourage responsible sourcing, while the recognition in Public Engagement highlights cooperation with local organizations and the broader community.
The 2026 distinction underscores the role that educational institutions can play in advancing sustainable development through measurable initiatives and long-term commitment.
As ACG marks its 11th consecutive year as a Sustainable Campus Index Top Performer, the recognition reflects the collective efforts of students, faculty, staff and institutional partners working to integrate sustainability into everyday campus life.
