2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Enhancing Campus Sustainability: A LEED-Based Case Study

Presented at Sustainability and Student Health in Construction Education

Northern Kentucky University is committed to being a student-centered institution, prioritizing the well-being and learning experience of our students. Therefore, it is essential to measure the sustainability level of the campus. The goal is not only to enhance the students' experience but also to create an eco-friendly environment that nurtures the health and productivity of faculty and staff. It provides valuable learning experiences, specifically for construction management students, while empowering them to carry firsthand sustainable practices into their careers, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.

Utilizing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, a survey consisting of 25 questions was developed and distributed among Facility Management staff, who play a pivotal role in campus sustainability. The survey focused on the following categories: location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priorities. Anonymous responses from six out of eight surveys sent out were collected and analyzed.

The findings highlight substantial opportunities for enhancing campus sustainability, particularly in location and transportation, energy and atmosphere, and innovation and regional priorities.
The study suggests the development of short-term and long-term plans to transition the campus toward greater sustainability. The data analysis underscores the need to prioritize water use reduction, adoption of renewable resources, improvement of quality views and daylighting, and reduction of food waste.

Authors

Dr. Boshra Karimi Northern Kentucky University [biography]

Dr. karimi is an Assistant Professor of Construction Management at Northern Kentucky University. She received my Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Construction Management) from Oklahoma State University and joined NKU in August, 2018. Prior to that, she earned her BSc in Mechanical Engineering from University of Tehran, and her MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management from Sharif University of Technology. Also, she attained the LEED Green Associate accreditation.

She has over 9 years of experience in teaching. She was an instructor in Ershad Damavand University, a visiting instructor in School of International Studies and Outreach at Oklahoma State University, and a teaching associate in School of Construction Management Technology at Oklahoma State University.

She has also over 14 years of experience in industry.She has worked in Neyrperse company as an Engineering Expert, as a Technical Office Supervisor in Mapna group, as a Mechanical Engineering Supervisor in construction (Professional Engineer) in Iranian Construction Engineers Organization, and as a Consultant in Roll-2-Roll Technologies LLC in Oklahoma.

Her research interests include sustainable project management, sustainability assessment, sustainable technology implementation, supply chain management, and big data application in construction.Her research has been published in several peer reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

She is the recipient of many awards like "ASC Regional Teaching Award" in 2023, "NKU Faculty Summer Fellowship" in 2019,2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, “Robberson Summer Research and Creative Activity Fellowship” in 2017, “Calvin & Marilyn Vogt Endowed Scholarship” in 2016, “Outstanding Teaching Performance Award” in 2014 & 2015, and “Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Scholarship” in 2014.

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