The 2022 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Summer Summit took place at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia in July. This event brought together school facility directors, industry representatives, and partners from across the country and was HGSC’s first in-person event since 2019.
The 2022 summit created an opportunity for school facility directors and manufacturers to come together, share insights, and learn from one another. During this working meeting, the group helped schools take a detailed look at their Healthy Green Schools & Colleges assessment results to identify, understand, and provide support for any challenges to improving their score. The group also took time to share their insights, challenges, and opportunities for the 2022-2023 school year, revealing that continued staffing shortages remain at the top of the list. School facility directors also reflected on how the pandemic elevated the importance of facility management and provided facility directors a seat at the table. Going forward, they are focused on making sure they get to stay at that table.
The highlight of the summit was the two-part tour showcasing the University of Georgia’s award-winning facilities program. More than 30 facility team members were involved in the planning and execution of the tour, which guided guests to the Stegman Coliseum, Science Learning Center, Tate Student Center, and Zell B. Miller Learning Center. Attendees were able to meet facility team members and hear about how they approach caring for these various university spaces. From seeing supply closets that are so well-stocked, cleaned, and organized that they don’t need doors to learning how to use SpaceVac attachments to reach the high ceilings of the student center, the tour was full of tips and strategies for daily cleaning and care. Most importantly, the tour highlighted the incredible team members of the facility program. I was moved by the strong sense of pride in ownership, school spirit, and teamwork that is so prominent in this close-knit university community.
Many thanks to Kimberly Thomas, Todd Kerzie, and the entire University of Georgia facilities team for hosting the 2022 Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Summer Summit!
