Our History

The Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education began as the Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) in 2016, before transitioning to our current role within the Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) ecosystem under the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) in July 2023.  SLS was an Institutional effort to equip Georgia Tech students to learn and serve around the theme “creating sustainable communities” through engagement with content and context. The initiative was developed as Tech's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), as a key component to its reaffirmation of accreditation.  The co-architects of the QEP were Ellen Zegura, Fleming Professor in the School of Computer Science, and Beril Toktay, Professor of Operations Management, Brady Family Chairholder in the Scheller College of Business.  During the QEP period, Dr. Zegura and Dr. Toktay served as the Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain's Faculty Executive Co-Directors and the Center reported to Colin Potts, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.  

The key accomplishments of SLS can be found here.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a peer-reviewed process by which colleges and universities are validated as degree-granting institutions. The accrediting organization for Georgia Tech is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Reaffirmation of an institution’s accreditation occurs every 10 years.

What is a QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan)?

One of two main components of the reaffirmation effort, the Quality Enhancement Plan is expected to enhance the quality of student learning outcomes and/or the environment that supports student learning. It should have a wide-ranging effect on students. It must originate from a process that involves many campus constituencies, and it should be directly and traceably related an institution’s strategic plan.

What was Georgia Tech’s previous QEP?

Georgia Tech's previous QEP was a combination of the International Plan and the Undergraduate Research Plan.  The upcoming QEP for Georgia Tech's next reaffirmation cycle is focused on Creating Intentional and Transformative Learning Experiences.