Elisabeth Reed

Biography

Elisabeth Reed has served as the Director of Sustainability at ISU since June 2019, playing a pivotal role in advancing the university’s sustainability efforts. She led the creation of ISU's first Sustainability Strategic Plan, which outlines goals for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Elisabeth collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to integrate sustainability into academics, campus life, and operations, making it a core part of the university’s mission.

A certified TRUE advisor, Elisabeth has led initiatives like the integration of Zero Waste practices on campus, significantly reducing waste by integrating reusables and composting into operations, conducting waste audits, and improving campus-wide waste management.

She is also committed to providing students with hands-on, real-world sustainability experiences through international study tours and service trips focused on global challenges, including the development of the Sustainable City Tour program.

Elisabeth has expanded programs such as the Pass It On Move Out Program, which diverts thousands of pounds of student belongings from landfills. She has also created the Front Yard Free Cycle event, and collaborated with students to develop The Share Shop, ISU's first free secondhand store offering students access to clothing, school supplies, and household items.

Prior to this position, Reed taught in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at ISU – connecting sustainability, life cycle assessment, and social justice issues into textiles and product development courses, while also developing the award-winning Fix It Friday program. Reed has a master’s degree in fashion design from the Savannah College of Art and Design and an undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati.