Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has selected Carol Lunn, assistant vice president for research and economic development at the University of New Orleans, as the new co-chair of the KLB University Sustainability Coalition. Representing university affiliate and sustainability coalition member Keep UNO Beautiful, Lunn will serve in this role for two years, with support from current co-chair Jonathan Brown, sustainability coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The KLB University Sustainability Coalition is a network of colleges and universities with an interest in increasing higher education sustainability efforts in Louisiana.

“It’s an honor to have Carol selected as the co-chair of the University Sustainability Coalition. Through her leadership, her department helps the UNO community succeed in creative, innovative, and scholarly research. In her 23 years at UNO, Carol built a team focused on customer service and compliance. The Office of Research provides support, training and mentorship for all research activities and generates opportunities for collaboration with external partners in the community,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Under Lunn's leadership, Keep UNO Beautiful has grown sustainability efforts on campus. The affiliate is committed to planning Earth Day events, regular litter cleanups, sponsoring mural projects, planting native plant gardens, working to reduce campus waste, and maintaining UNO’s status as a recognized Arbor Day Foundation “Tree Campus.”

Lunn recently received her Ph.D. in urban studies, and her dissertation focused on environmental sustainability in higher education. In addition to serving as the UNO facilitator for Keep UNO Beautiful, she is a co-director of the UNO Sustainability Circle and the advisor to the UNO Garden Club. 

Virtual KLB University Sustainability Coalition meetings occur monthly and are open to faculty, staff and students. Coalition meetings allow for networking and the exchange of ideas. Meeting topics include subjects of interest like sustainable campus dining practices, game-day waste reduction and how to conduct a greener move-out. The coalition meets in person once a year at the KLB State Conference.

The coalition includes representation from 16 colleges and universities: Centenary College, Dillard University, Fletcher Technical Community College, Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, Loyola University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, River Parishes Community College, Tulane University, University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Louisiana Monroe, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.