As our University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) community grows and evolves, we remain dedicated to anchoring our work in shared values. These values were shaped through a collaborative process that gathered input from SEAS students, staff and faculty on what matters most to us. They serve as the cornerstone of how we engage with one another and the world around us. We are committed to regularly reviewing and refining these values, ensuring they guide our actions, research, and relationships in meaningful and impactful ways.
Respect: We actively honor the voices, needs, and aspirations of all people through empathy, accountability, and inclusion. Respect is the foundation of meaningful partnerships, ethical research, and equitable teaching. At SEAS, we practice respect by listening deeply, integrating diverse ways of knowing, and building relationships rooted in trust and co-creation.
Collaboration: We believe collaboration leads to outcomes greater than any one perspective can achieve. At SEAS, collaboration is about co-creation, shared credit, and long-term relationships. Whether across disciplines, generations, or sectors, we approach collaboration with trust, transparency, and a commitment to producing innovative, just, and lasting solutions.
Community: Community at SEAS is built through shared responsibility, care, and inclusion. We foster spaces where everyone can contribute meaningfully and access support. Our community spans time—honoring the past, shaping the present, and building toward a more just future. We strive to create a culture where belonging is not only a goal, but a lived experience.
Impact: Impact at SEAS means creating change that matters—locally and globally. We translate research into action, amplify community voices, and equip future professionals to lead with purpose. We define impact through care, accessibility, and justice, recognizing that lasting change is built through both bold ideas and sustained effort.
Sustainability: Sustainability is more than a goal, it’s how we work, learn, and lead. We design systems and solutions that are scalable, just, and rooted in community needs. From ecological health to institutional culture, we support long-term change by building models that others can adapt, and by pursuing work that inspires and sustains us.