Sustainable Design Online: Lessons Learned From a Fully Online, Multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Sustainable Design
Online learning is an untapped resource to transform sustainability education. The Babson Survey Research Group (2015) reported >70% of academic institutions consider online learning a critical component of their long-term strategy. As more institutions venture into the burgeoning field of online education it has become clear that online learning is not an educational fad but instead holds great promise for the future and democratization of education. Yet most institutions are not leveraging online learning opportunities to their fullest potential to advance sustainability initiatives. By leveraging existing online technologies, students have the capability to cross disciplines, geographic boundaries, and cultural perspectives. This model of engagement has great potential to expand students' professional networks and sustainability perspectives through transnational discourse, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. After a decade of offering a professional certificate in sustainable design, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) launched the first fully online, multidisciplinary master of arts in sustainable design degree in the world. Students interact with instructors who are practicing professionals that bring insights from the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and design. MCAD will share lessons learned through the development and administration of this online sustainability program.
Director of Sustainable Design Program
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Cindy Gilbert received an MS from Oregon State University and an MEd from Griffith University, Australia. She is the founding director of the Sustainable Design program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). In this role, she fosters a culture of awareness and creativity through sustainable, innovative, and collaborative design. Gilbert has extensive research experience in the fields of seabird and polar ecology, and she has taught several courses and workshops in the fields of biology, sustainability, and biomimicry. Most recently, she served for nearly four years as the founding director of university education at the Biomimicry Institute. There she developed and managed all higher education programs, including the biomimicry professional certification program, annual biomimicry education summits, biomimicry affiliate and fellows programs, biomimicry education network, and biomimicry design challenges. Gilbert is based in Missoula, Montana.
