GVSU named Top Green College by Princeton Review

BY Julianna Schrier
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills

Oct 30, 2025

Grand Valley is one of the most environmentally responsible universities in the country, according to the Princeton Review’s Top 50 Green Colleges list for 2026. Topping its own 2025 ranking, Grand Valley ranked No. 13, continuing to lead the charge of sustainability practices in Michigan.

"Across our entire campus, from classrooms to green spaces, GVSU is committed to sustainability," said Philomena V. Mantella, Grand Valley president. "We're proud to be recognized for the positive impact Lakers are making on the world around us and we're excited to find innovative ways to grow these efforts moving forward."

The ranking is determined by a combination of school-reported data and student opinion, according to the Review. The rankings showcase schools that have a strong foundation in sustainability, both in curriculum and campus life.

Two men in blue polos and khaki shorts tend to the rooftop garden on the roof of Mackinac Hall.

Anthony Howard, left, and Avery Lester with Summit Landscape Management work on the green roof of Mackinac Hall June 20, 2024.

Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills

Red tomatoes and orange and purple peppers laid out on display on a blue tablecloth.

Tomatoes and peppers grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project are sold by student volunteers at a weekly campus farm stand.

Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills

“This recognition is a tribute to the Lakers who have shown their commitment to sustainability,” said Yumiko Jakobcic, director of sustainability. “It is a nod to those who paved the way for a sustainable future years ago and those working now, often behind the scenes, to carry that work forward. It is also a tribute to our students who advocate for sustainability, take courses to expand their thinking and who practice it in their daily lives. It is proof that sustainability is the Laker way of life.”

October is Sustainability Month at GVSU. The Office of Sustainability Practices and student organizations, including the Farm Club, Beekeeper’s Club and Native American Student Association, have hosted events recognizing the value of sustainability. These programs aren’t limited to October, said Jakobcic, because “every month is sustainability month at GVSU.”

There will be zero-waste football games throughout November, when student volunteers from Student Senate, Women’s Club Lacrosse and Men’s Club Volleyball aim to decrease the amount of landfill waste created at Lubbers Stadium. The Sustainable Agriculture Project is also a year-round initiative, giving Lakers hands-on experience growing produce, conducting research, and learning about and connecting to the environment.