NJIT Welcomes First Assistant Director of Sustainability

NJIT is introducing a new staff member who will be crucial to the future of ecological sustainability at the school — Assistant Director of Sustainability Prabhakar Shrestha. 

Dr. Shrestha, who is in his first month at NJIT, comes to New Jersey from the University of Nebraska where he has served as the director of sustainability since 2014 and where he earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a Ph.D. in natural resource sciences. 

Sustainability is already a guiding theme to NJIT’s strategic plan, and Shrestha’s arrival marks a deeper commitment to those values. His first order of business at NJIT is to make faculty, staff, and students aware that he’s ready to work alongside them to create a more ecologically sustainable campus. 

We’re establishing a norm here. If NJIT can do it, I can do it in my house and business, too.

Environmental conservation and sustainability are a core part of Shrestha’s life. His family is from Nepal, where he was born and has spent much time. Much of his family already lives in the New York metro area. 

“When you’re in Nepal, you’re close to nature,” said Shrestha. It’s important to fight for.”

Shrestha is ultimately data-driven and is looking for ways to measure NJIT’s course to sustainability. Before he can start measuring, he plans to work with NJIT administration to hammer out a set of concrete commitments to sustainability. Soon, Shrestha hopes to unveil an official and achievable climate action plan for NJIT’s campus. 

“We’re establishing a norm here. If NJIT can do it, I can do it in my house and business, too. We’re instilling values,” said Shrestha. “When you’re talking about community improvement, that takes everyone.”

Earlier this year, Times Higher Education ranked NJIT 90th in its Impact Ranking for the university’s progress toward targets set by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. A future NJIT climate action plan could include policies designed to reduce the campus’s carbon footprint by retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency and to reduce food waste through composting and reducing the use of water and plastics. 

NJIT is well-positioned to pursue sustainability goals. The school’s Center for Resilient Design already researches and performs sustainable retrofits. Students at the Albert Dorman Honors College have been creating greater biodiversity on campus and are exploring the creation of an urban forest. Sustainability already courses through much of the school’s work. Shrestha hopes to channel that energy into a broader culture of sustainability. 

“Everybody is looking for answers. Higher Education is one of those places people look to, so we have to lead,” said Shrestha. “We have that trust, so we just have to deliver. The essence of these solutions is in students and faculty. We need their help. We’re paving pathways for success. We want to let everyone know we’re here.”