A Path to Creating Global Citizens: Education for Sustainable Development in Small Liberal Arts Colleges

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a critical role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by preparing students to address complex social, environmental, and economic challenges. In the literature, less attention has been paid to scalable curricular models implemented in small liberal arts colleges. This paper presents a case study of Lynn University’s Impact Series, an interdisciplinary and co-curricular initiative, intentionally integrated into the undergraduate curriculum to advance Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Drawing on institutional reports, program documentation, and attendance data from Fall 2022 through Spring 2025, the study examines how the Impact Series promotes short-term student engagement with the UN SDGs through speakers, discussions, partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and cross-campus collaboration within a broader, long-term institutional commitment to ESD. Findings indicate that the Impact Series embedded sustainability concepts across the undergraduate curriculum by offering 72 events that engaged approximately 1430 undergraduate students and addressed a variety of SDGs. The initiative demonstrates how curricular integration, institutional commitment, and community engagement foster students’ understanding of global challenges. The findings suggest that mission-driven liberal arts colleges can serve as effective catalysts for ESD. As HEIs continue to respond to global sustainability challenges, Lynn University’s Impact Series offers a practical and replicable model for integrating sustainability into the curriculum.