Elisabeth Reed, program director in the Office of Sustainability, is the most recent recipient of the Living Our Values Award, for her work that embodies the University’s value of Collaboration.
The Living Our Values (LOV) awards recognize individuals and groups that exemplify Illinois State’s core values of Learning and Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Collaboration, Individualized Attention, Civic Engagement, and Integrity, as spelled out in Educate Connect Elevate: Illinois State–The Strategic Plan for Illinois’ First Public University 2018-2023. The awards celebrate the commitment to live the University’s values every day and strengthen the campus community by sharing those values.
After joining the Office of Sustainability in 2019, Reed began collaborating with departments and organizations throughout campus to find opportunities for partnerships. She has worked closely with Facilities Management; Athletics; and Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality to implement recycling and waste-reduction strategies. Reed also collaborated with academic departments to identify connections between curriculum and sustainability.
Chris Homan, Reed’s nominator, says, “She brought tremendous energy to the position and hit the ground running, working to increase the ways that Illinois State University embraces sustainable practices.”
In addition to her work with campus departments, Reed has also partnered with students at Illinois State. She formed a student intern group that allows students to gain experience in sustainability initiatives and training, and has also worked closely with the Student Sustainability Committee to help improve the process of providing grants for sustainability initiatives.
Reed’s extensive collaboration across campus made her an excellent candidate for the Living Our Values Award.
Nominees for the Living Our Values awards can be any current Illinois State student, faculty, or staff member, or a team at Illinois State working toward a program or initiative that reflects the University’s core values. Nominations can be made via the Educate Connect Elevate website.
