Established in 1993, The Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at Connecticut College brings together students, faculty, staff, and professional partners for joint investigation of pressing environmental problems and solutions. Building upon the strong environmental traditions at Connecticut College, the Center is a hub for environmental stewardship, education, research and advocacy. 

Our robust environmental programming includes a biennial Lear-Conant Environmental Symposium and a Jean Thomas Lambert ‘45 Environmental Lecture Series. Both serve to connect students, faculty and the public with the resources and educational opportunities to meet the environmental challenges of our modern world. 

At the heart of our Center is a vibrant interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Environmental Sustainability.  Open to Connecticut College students from any major, the certificate program is a rigorous, academically challenging and fulfilling experience. Our dynamic program combines weekly discussion based seminars, an independent environmental research project, sophomore service learning course, relevant internship and a tight knit community of scholars and involved Center alumni.   

Over the course of 3+ decades and counting, the Center has shepherded over 250 Connecticut College students through our groundbreaking certificate program. Of those graduates, approximately 50% have continued their professional journeys in an environmental field - many with direct correlation to their center project. 

Our impressive alumni work in education, local and federal government, sustainability, energy, conservation, the arts and business. They are advocates, artists, scientists, thespians, consultants, organic farmers, policy makers, computer programers, dancers, winemakers, ecologists, poets, botanists, chemists, geologists, theologians,  entrepreneurs, writers and more. They are a lasting tribute to the steadfast and dynamic educational foundations laid during their time with the Center and a continuation of the enduring legacy of our Center namesakes, Richard H. Goodwin, Katharine Blunt Professor Emeritus of Botany, and William A. Niering, Lucretia L. Allyn Professor Emeritus of Botany, 

Evident in our amazing scholars and alumni, our Center and certificate program facilitate a supportive community of forward thinkers and passionate environmental leaders.