Santa Monica College has been named Outstanding Higher Education Program for 2025 by the National Recycling Coalition, joining Stanford University as recent recipients of the prestigious national honor.
The award recognizes SMC's Sustainable Materials Management program, which trains students for careers in the circular economy through degrees and certificates focused on zero waste and sustainable materials management.
"Being named an Outstanding Higher Education Program by the National Recycling Coalition is a meaningful recognition of Santa Monica College's long-standing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and student engagement," said Victoria Charles, professor and faculty leader of the program.
The program represents a shift from traditional recycling education to a comprehensive approach that examines the entire lifecycle of materials. This year, the college officially renamed the program from Recycling and Resource Management to Sustainable Materials Management to reflect the field's evolution.
"It's about managing materials not just discarding them or recycling them," Charles said, explaining the alignment with industry standards and Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
Charles teaches alongside two industry experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Angela Vincent serves as zero waste communications manager at Stanford, while Samuel Sasu works at CalRecycle, the state's leading agency for recycling and materials management policy.
The program's practical focus has helped graduates find immediate employment in the sustainability field. Eric Newton, a former Cirque du Soleil performer who completed the certificate program, was hired by a major Los Angeles waste hauler within one semester of graduation.
"Everything we learned in the SMM courses is directly applicable," said Newton, who now serves as education lead at Universal Waste Systems. "It's not just signing people up for a green or blue bin. It's education, training and meeting people where they are."
Newton teaches sustainability best practices at schools, businesses and community events across the region, conducting 10 events during Earth Month 2025 alone. He brings his performance background to the work, rewriting classic show tunes into sustainability-themed songs.
"I try to make it whimsical and fun," Newton said. "It helps people hear the information fresh."
The program offers multiple pathways for students, including an Associate in Science degree, a Certificate of Achievement, and an advanced certificate in zero waste policy and practice. All courses carry zero textbook cost through 2026, funded by an Open Educational Resources grant from the SMC Library.
Students can also prepare for TRUE Advisor Certification through a partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council. The college funds exam fees for dozens of students, and employers recognize the credential immediately, according to Charles.
The program has influenced sustainability education across campus disciplines. Faculty in English, accounting, fashion, cosmetology and early childhood education now incorporate environmental themes into their courses.
SMC's Sustainable Materials Management program is part of a broader sustainability ecosystem at the college that includes Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and a Sustainability Education hub. The college also offers three free online certificates through its Sustainability Systems & Technology noncredit program.
Charles, who also teaches in SMC's Business Department, helped develop a Business and Sustainability certificate for students integrating environmental thinking into accounting, marketing or management.
"When I go into a business, I say, 'I'm here to teach you how to use your resources more efficiently,'" Charles said. "What business doesn't want to hear that?"
The program's impact extends beyond the classroom. Student initiatives include the Buy Nothing movement and SMC's new Thrifted Treasures club, which organizes repair events and swaps to keep items out of landfills.
Newton, who volunteers as a guest speaker each semester, represents the program's success in preparing students for professional careers.
"I feel fortunate to be working in an area I'm passionate about," he said.
Charles emphasized that the award affirms the program's mission: "Most importantly, it affirms that our students are gaining real-world skills and leadership experience that prepare them to drive meaningful environmental change beyond the campus."
For more information on the Sustainable Materials Management Program at SMC, email Victoria Charles at Charles_Victoria@smc.edu or visit the webpage smc.edu/SMM.