Introducing the Sustainability Service Honors “Think Global, Serve Local”

Are you passionate about building a more sustainable world for the future? For its people? For the environment? Then think global and serve local, and pursue Sustainability Service Honors! Sustainability Service Honors is an award given to honor graduating students whose service advances any of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] ’s).
Student leaders may provide volunteer service that advances global sustainability efforts both at UT Dallas and in the community. Nearing graduation, students will be recognized at a sustainability service ceremony organized by the Office of Sustainability.
Meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)
The UN SDG [United Nations Sustainable Development Goal] ’s are a global framework for advancing sustainability-oriented development worldwide. Adopted by over 150 nations in the UN [United Nations] General Assembly in September 2015, these goals outline 17 goals with 169 associated targets that to achieve by 2030. The goals are broad and interdependent; encompassing environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Sustainable Development Goals - 17 goals with 169 associated targets

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Explore the SDG’s and see how you can contribute to global sustainability.
How Do I Think Global, Serve Local… and Receive This Honor?

The Sustainability Service Honors recognize student volunteer service that makes UT Dallas, Richardson, greater Dallas communities, and the world more sustainable. There are many service opportunities available. In addition, you can keep track of your hours through this website by creating a profile and inputting your hours as you go. It’s as easy as:
- Register
- Document your hours
- Attend the ceremony
What Qualifies as Service?
This award serves to honor volunteerism in order to create a more sustainable world as defined by the SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] ’s. When documenting your service hours, you will be required to relate your opportunity back towards one or more SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] ’s in a few sentences.
Service Qualifications Include:
- Membership meetings for sustainability-oriented clubs / organizations / associations
- Group volunteer service and events with affiliated clubs / organizations / associations
- Individual volunteer service with affiliated clubs / organizations / associations
- Unpaid internships, undergraduate research, and study abroad (if affiliated toward the SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] ’s)
Examples of Valid Service:
- Planting a tree at UT Dallas Arbor Day Observance as part of service learning and improving life on land
- Volunteering at a food pantry in efforts to end hunger
- Tutoring at-risk elementary students to support efforts to provide quality education
- Recruiting for the Society of Women Engineers to support Gender Equality
- Unpaid internship including research on coral reef health to support life below water
- Participation on the Student Government Green Initiative Committee
For each occurrence of volunteer service, you will be required to input a description of the activity. In addition, the description must reflect how the service is affiliated to the SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] ’s. For any questions or assistance, please contact sustainability@utdallas.edu.
IMPORTANT: Paid internships, jobs, and class projects for credit do not count towards this award.
Qualifications
150 hours
Sustainability Service Honors Bronze
Honorees receive SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] graduation regalia, website recognition and a certificate.
200 hours
Sustainability Service Honors Silver
Honorees receive SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] graduation regalia, website recognition, a certificate and office swag.
250 hours
Sustainability Service Honors Gold
Honorees receive SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] graduation regalia, website recognition, a certificate, office swag and an invitation to our planting ceremony.
Reporting Requirements
To successfully gain recognition for your service hours, please make sure to report your hours before graduation. Deadlines follow below.
- December 1 - Fall Semesters
- May 1 - Spring Semesters
Where Are Service Opportunities Available?
In-Person Opportunities
- Office of Student Volunteerism
- Student Organizations
- Community Opportunities
- City of Plano Volunteer
- City of Richardson Volunteer
- City of Dallas Volunteer
- City of Allen Volunteer
- City of Carrolton Volunteer
- City of Frisco Volunteer
- City of McKinney Volunteer
- Habitat for Humanity of Collin County
- North Texas Food Bank
- Dallas Zoo / Dallas Children’s Aquarium
- Hope’s Door New Beginning Center
- Texas Master Naturalist Program
- United Way
- Meals on Wheels / VNA Texas
- Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County
Virtual Opportunities
- Community Organizations
- North Texas Food Bank
- Earth X Volunteer
- Hope’s Door Women’s Shelter
- United Way
- United Nations
- Amnesty Decoders
- The Senior Source
- Community Partners of Dallas
- TED Translators
- Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens
- Smithsonian Digital Volunteer Program
- Mozilla / Firefox
- IMALIVE
- Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network
- Trevor Project
- Bookshare
- Translators Without Borders
- Infinite Family
- FLOSS Manuals
Volunteering Resources
There are many other organizations in the DFW area that are seeking volunteers. In addition to the above, there are also volunteer opportunity search sites as well. For example, Voly.org provides a good insight into opportunities in the Dallas area.
If you are a non-profit, city, or organization that is seeking volunteers that will provide meaningful work that is oriented toward the UN [United Nations] Sustainable Development Goals, feel free to contact us if you are interested in being added to the list of community opportunities.
Ready to Work Towards a Sustainable Future? Sign Up Today!