Seton Hall University has continued its efforts to integrate environmental topics into a variety of academic disciplines through the Faculty Environmental Seminar. The seminar, created by Judith Stark, Ph.D., professor of environmental philosophy and an advocate for environmental education at Seton Hall, is designed to help faculty members incorporate sustainability and environmental issues into their existing courses.
The program is sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development, directed by Mary Balkun, Ph.D. It brings together faculty from different areas such as English, physics, philosophy, psychology, nursing, speech pathology, and entrepreneurship. Participants meet three times each semester and are asked to include environmental perspectives in one or two sessions of their current courses.
According to the university, “Rather than requiring new course development, the program encourages participants to add environmental content to existing classes, making sustainability and environmental responsibility visible within a variety of academic contexts.” This approach aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and highlight how environmental concerns are relevant across academic fields.
Faculty who join the seminar receive a stipend as recognition for their participation. The program also provides a platform for educators to share ideas about teaching methods and consider ways that greater environmental awareness can enhance student learning.
Judith Stark played a key role in establishing Seton Hall’s Environmental Studies program nearly 30 years ago. She developed the Faculty Environmental Seminar to support colleagues in finding connections between their subject areas and current environmental challenges.
The university states that this initiative “reflects Seton Hall University’s ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary excellence and socially engaged scholarship.” Through programs like this seminar and a strong Environmental Studies curriculum, Seton Hall aims to prepare students for complex global issues with academic rigor and ethical consideration.
The next session of the Faculty Environmental Seminar will take place in Fall 2026. Interested faculty members can contact [email protected] for information about applying.
More details about Seton Hall’s Environmental Studies offerings can be found on the Seton Hall University Environmental Studies page.
