Created by Focus on Energy® three years ago, the Higher Education Kit Challenge engages students and faculty living off campus to change their energy-usage behaviors. Participating schools choose from a variety of free kits containing items such as LEDs, a showerhead, a power strip, and more. Each kit ordered earns points. The school with the most orders based on its size receives a $5,000 cash prize.

UW-River Falls earned the top spot, promoting the challenge at over 15 campus events since the beginning of the semester. The previous win in 2023 relied heavily on partnerships with student support programs. This year’s victory was achieved through communication and outreach networks. Students in the Sustainability Office played a key role in distributing handouts and posters. The university used newsletters, campus-wide emails, and social media to drive participation. Additionally, students produced an unboxing video for Instagram which helped raise awareness interest.

“We were more consistent this year. With every campus event, newsletter, and social media post, there was an opportunity to promote the challenge,” commented Mark Klapatch-Mathias, Sustainability Coordinator with the Sustainability Office. “This win reflects the group effort of our campus community.”

Other schools participating in the challenge include:

•    University of Wisconsin-Stout
•    University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
•    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
•    University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
•    University of Wisconsin-Parkside
•    Madison Area Technical College

For more information about UW-River Falls sustainability initiatives, visit Sustainability at UWRF.
Learn more about the challenge and see the final rankings.