RRC Polytech has been recognized as a leading institution for sustainability, earning the top spot in its category in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
The annual SCI highlights top-performing post-secondary institutions based on results from AASHE's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), the world's leading framework for measuring sustainability performance in higher education.
RRC Polytech was ranked #1 Overall Top Performer among Associate and Short-Cycle Institutions reporting under STARS 3.0, achieving the highest score in its category featured in the 2026 SCI.
"This recognition demonstrates that sustainability is embedded throughout RRC Polytech - it's an institution-wide achievement," says Giselle Martel, Vice-President, Finance and Administration, RRC Polytech. "Ranking first in our category under STARS 3.0 is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the dedication of people across our community who are advancing sustainability through teaching, learning, research, operations and community engagement every day."
The recognition builds on RRC Polytech's strong sustainability performance, following its achievement of STARS Gold status in 2025.
Submitted every three years, STARS helps post-secondary institutions evaluate and advance their performance across the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability. Achieving Gold status reflects a collaborative, campus-wide commitment to embedding sustainability into academics, operations, engagement, planning and innovation.
In addition to its top overall ranking, RRC Polytech received two notable recognitions in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index:
- STARS of Data Accuracy: RRC Polytech's high data accuracy rate placed it among the institutions with the fewest reporting issues between March 2024 and March 2026. The recognition highlights the contributions of STARS liaisons, data providers and employees across the Polytechnic who helped ensure the report's accuracy and quality.
- Institutional Highlight - Engagement: AASHE featured Mittohnee Pogo'ohtah and RRC Polytech's partnership with Pow Wow Pitch as a leading example of sustainability-driven engagement. Originally submitted under the Innovation and Leadership category, the initiative was selected by AASHE for inclusion in the SCI's Engagement highlights.
RRC Polytech continues to advance sustainability through applied learning, research and innovation, responsible operations and community leadership. Sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive learning opportunities are available in every academic school, while initiatives across campuses promote environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and inclusive excellence.
Learn more about the 2026 AASHE Sustainable Campus Index here.
