Winona State University has been recognized in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges for the 15th consecutive year. The guide highlights colleges that offer a healthy and sustainable campus experience, prepare students for careers in the clean-energy economy, and demonstrate environmentally responsible policies.
Winona State became a signatory of the President’s Climate Commitment in 2007 and has spent decades building a culture of sustainability through strategic investments and student-driven initiatives.
As part of its continued investment in sustainability, Winona State is enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across campus parking lots this fall. A new DC Fast Charger (DCFC) will be installed, doubling the fast-charging capacity available to campus and community users.
In addition, two Level 2 chargers will be converted to free “Student Only” access. These chargers were partially funded through student green fees and are located in a residential area of campus. During the month of September, students logged nearly 120 charging sessions, demonstrating strong demand and the impact of student-led sustainability efforts.
Overall, campus-wide EV charger usage at Winona State offsets more than 3,000 miles per month that would otherwise be driven by gas-powered vehicles, contributing to reduced emissions and cleaner transportation.
In addition, Winona State continues to demonstrate its long-standing commitment to sustainability through a range of strategic initiatives and student-supported projects, including:
- Academic programs like the Sustainability minor
- Student-led initiatives such as the Green Fee and Green Action Project
- The largest solar energy system in the Minnesota State system
- The proposed net-zero CICEL building
- The LESS guaranteed energy savings project
The 2025 edition of “The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges” recognized 511 schools across the U.S. based on sustainability practices, sustainability education, and the quality of life for students on campus.
Learn more about Winona State’s commitment to sustainability.
