Michigan State University has selected Chip Amoe as its next director of sustainability, championing green efforts for the university into the next decade. Amoe will begin his new role April 10.
“MSU has made significant progress in promoting sustainable practices and achieving our goals through cutting-edge research, community engagement and improving our operations,” said Melissa Woo, MSU’s executive vice president for administration. “The university’s commitment to sustainability remains steadfast, and we are excited to have our new director of sustainability, Chip Amoe, on board to lead us towards a more sustainable future, with stewardship and sustainability as a key focus of the MSU 2030 strategic plan.”
As director of sustainability, Amoe will be responsible for the planning, development and execution of the university’s sustainability initiatives, including promoting environmental, social and economic sustainability practices campuswide. He will lead MSU in defining sustainability goals, spearheading annual sustainability planning priorities, developing performance metrics and refining long-range plans to ensure MSU achieves climate neutrality by at least 2050. Additionally, Amoe is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive sustainability plan to complement the goals outlined in the 2030 strategic plan.
Amoe intends to position MSU for continued success as a top green school, including advancing key sustainability rankings, like the institution’s gold rating for sustainability achievements through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE – making MSU the No. 1 school in Michigan.
“I’m excited to join the MSU community and build on the great work that’s already occurring across our campuses,” said Amoe. “MSU has a tremendous opportunity to lead by example and serve as a trusted resource for the state, businesses, and communities, both here and beyond, to achieve a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Most recently, Amoe was the director of sustainability at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, where he established the first-ever Office of Sustainability for the system. In this role, Amoe developed and led a strategic sustainability plan for a $7 billion, six-hospital integrated health system with more than 30 medical centers and 200-plus ancillary sites, leveraging grant and external funding sources to implement initiatives.
Embracing inclusivity in the search process, representatives of students, faculty and MSU leadership helped select Amoe as the best candidate to lead the institution’s sustainability efforts. Among those involved in the process were Department of Community Sustainability Professor and Chairperson Rebecca Jordan.
“Chip Amoe has the ability, attitude and approach to advancing sustainable solutions at MSU,” Jordan said. “He has the integrity and passion to ensure he will be an exciting addition to the Spartan community.”
Cody Evans, a graduating senior majoring in social relations and policy from James Madison College, called Amoe’s passion for creating a more sustainable future for MSU and Michigan truly inspiring.
“It was a great experience and a unique opportunity to be involved in the search process for the new sustainability director,” said Evans. “By continuing to engage students in shaping sustainability at MSU, I believe Chip can help create a more sustainable culture throughout the university. His passion for creating a more sustainable future for our campus and the state of Michigan is truly inspiring.”
Prior to joining Henry Ford, Amoe served as the legislative counsel for the American Medical Association and assistant director of federal affairs for the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Washington, D.C., where he advocated for a wide array of health policy issues before Congress and the executive branch.
Amoe holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Bachelor of Arts in consumer affairs from the University of Rhode Island, and a Juris Doctorate degree and Master of Public Administration with a concentration in urban and regional affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.