The Ponderosa Project

The COCC Ponderosa Project is a place-based curriculum development initiative designed to help faculty integrate sustainability into the classroom. The inaugural workshop took place in Spring 2025 and featured two days of guest speakers, peer-to-peer brainstorming sessions, pedagogical exercises, field trips and experiential learning opportunities. 

Faculty participants developed a deeper understanding of sustainability concepts, as well as the inspiration, tools and community support necessary to help educate the next generation of global citizens.

This 2025-26 COCC Ponderosa Project was sponsored by the COCC Strategic Plan, the COCC Sustainability Committee and the COCC Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence.

Click on the following links to view individual faculty curriculum submissions. This information is free and available for any educator to use. Please feel free to build upon and incorporate the content into your classes!

• • Jacob Agatucci - WR 121Z, Composition 1
  • Irene Cooper - ENG 205, Survey British Literature II
  • Jennifer Cruikshank - HHP 131, Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science
  • Kristin Dorsey - ENG 221, Introduction to Children's Literature
  • Steve Edwards - BI 101, General Biology: Cells and Genes
  • David Engel - SPAN 102Z, First Year Spanish II
  • Thor Erickson - CUL 240, Butchery
  • Steven Foldi - BI 103, General Biology: Ecology
  • Sarah Fuller - SUS 102, Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Melinda Gesuale - NUR 107, Nursing II
  • Carol Higginbotham - SUS 103, Physical Science of Climate Change
  • Molly Markland - CUL 235S, Farm-to-Table and Sustainable Cuisine Practices
  • Megan Michell - NUR 112, Introduction to Community Nursing
  • Owen Murphy - SUS 101, Introduction to Sustainability
  • Anthony Rosso - WR 121Z, Composition 1
  • Sarah Witt - CUL 230, Culinary Nutrition and Applied Techniques of Healthy Cooking