What SEI Does and Why It Matters

A structured summary of the leadership discussion, with pull-quotes and web-copy ideas derived from the conversation.

1. Faculty Professional Development — SEI’s Core Mission

Xiao and Beth agree that SEI is fundamentally about faculty professional development in environmental and sustainability education. They describe SEI as “the in-house professional development organizers and hosts” — leading research, organizing workshops, and creating demonstration projects that model how environmental equity can be embedded in curriculum.

Pull quote: “We’re the ones taking charge of faculty professional development in this area — no one else is doing it at this scale.”

2. Demonstration Projects — A Statewide Model

Beth emphasizes the Demonstration Project as SEI’s signature initiative — a comprehensive model integrating curriculum innovation, community practice, coaching, field trips, and culminating events. It aims to serve as a statewide example for embedding environmental equity into teaching.

Web copy idea: SEI’s Demonstration Project connects classrooms to community action — showing how environmental equity can become a living part of college curriculum statewide.

3. Building Partnerships Across the District

SEI’s reach extends beyond faculty to include district partnerships with organizations such as The Climate Center, Facilities, ASCCC, and local government. They highlight SEI’s bridge role between faculty, administration, and operations — influencing how sustainability is integrated into the physical campus environment.

Pull quote: “We bridge operations and education — connecting facilities, administration, and faculty to make sustainability real on our campuses.

4. Impact on Facilities and Campus Operations

Beth shares that SEI has influenced district-wide facilities policy, ensuring faculty and students can now access construction sites for learning and research. This represents a structural change — sustainability as part of how campuses are built and maintained.

Web copy idea: Because of SEI, new campus construction is now part of the classroom — turning buildings and operations into living labs for sustainability.

5. Student Opportunities — Internships and Applied Learning

Through collaboration with Build LACCD, SEI helped grow internships from 9 to over 100 district-wide. They discuss expanding visibility for these programs and connecting more disciplines beyond engineering and architecture.

Pull quote: “We’ve opened doors for students — from 9 to 100 internships across the district — linking sustainability learning to real jobs.”

6. Strengthening Curriculum and Enrollment

SEI supports colleges in developing new environmental courses (e.g., environmental politics, climate-focused English courses) and boosting enrollment through marketing and outreach. They also work with departments to embed climate and sustainability across disciplines.

Web copy idea: From political science to English, SEI helps faculty embed sustainability in every field — growing enrollment and student engagement.

7. Shared Governance and Committee Building

Beth and Xiao discuss helping campuses form Sustainability Committees — cross-sector, shared-governance bodies including faculty, staff, and administrators. These committees strengthen institutional accountability and community engagement.

Pull quote: “We help campuses form the shared-governance structures that make sustainability everyone’s responsibility.

8. Policy and Statewide Leadership

The conversation shifts toward policy influence — SEI’s collaborations with lobbyists, local legislators, and statewide initiatives like Vision 2030. Beth and Xiao describe SEI’s role as policy advocates advancing sustainability and environmental equity across California community colleges.

Web copy idea: SEI connects local action to statewide change — influencing district and state policy to prioritize environmental equity in education.

9. Networking and Representation

SEI uplifts faculty by representing them at conferences and statewide events, promoting their work and positioning the district as a leader in sustainability education.

Pull quote: “We amplify our faculty’s voices — putting our district on the map for sustainability leadership.

10. Community Engagement and Public Education

SEI’s work also reaches the wider public, offering workshops on pressing climate issues — heat, water, fire — and developing resources for communities after disasters. They see SEI as a public service center, bridging learning with real-world resilience.

Web copy idea: SEI’s outreach turns education into community action — from wildfire recovery resources to workshops on extreme heat and water.

11. Partnerships Beyond the District

They mention new collaborations with UCLA, the Center for Diverse Leadership, and local Indigenous communities — expanding SEI’s network and relevance.

We partner with universities, indigenous leaders, and communities — building a network of shared environmental learning.

12. Curriculum Support and Faculty Resources

SEI is not just training faculty — it’s helping them develop new curriculum, share resources, and access practical tools for integrating environmental education into their courses.

Web copy idea: SEI supports faculty where ideas meet practice — with training, resources, and collaboration that make sustainability education achievable.

13. Storytelling and Identity

The conversation closes with reflection on telling SEI’s story — the need to communicate its scope and contributions clearly so that its value is visible and protected within the district.

It’s important that we exist — and that people understand what we do and why it matters.

Suggested Headings & Copy Segments for Web Use

About SEI

SEI leads faculty professional development and curriculum innovation in sustainability and environmental education across the district.

Our Impact

From policy advocacy to campus design, SEI bridges classrooms, operations, and community action.

Faculty & Curriculum

We train, support, and inspire faculty to integrate environmental equity into every discipline.

Student Opportunities

SEI connects students to paid internships and real-world sustainability projects across the region.

Community Engagement

We host workshops, build partnerships, and support community resilience through environmental learning.

Policy & Partnerships

SEI collaborates with facilities, legislators, and statewide organizations to advance sustainability policy and practice.

Prepared from an internal recording and site planning.