Shokouh Pourarian selected to join the Teaching Sustainability Initiative
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Clinical Assistant Professor Shokouh Pourarian is joining the 2025 Teaching Sustainability Initiative (TSI) cohort.
The TSI helps UIC instructors expand sustainability teaching and learning in their course offerings by providing training, support, and compensation for incorporating sustainability into existing courses and developing new courses entirely.
Being selected for the initiative will provide Pourarian with the support and structure to thoughtfully develop her new course, “Sustainable Engineering and Renewable Energies,” which aims to integrate core engineering concepts with sustainability principles in a meaningful and impactful way.
“The course aligns closely with my personal commitment and professional goals to support a more sustainable and equitable future through engineering,” she said. “Sustainability is one of our time’s most urgent and complex challenges, and integrating it into engineering education is essential. As an educator and engineer, I believe it’s our responsibility to equip the next generation with the tools and mindset needed to tackle pressing global challenges.”
Pourarian believes the development of the course will present a timely and strategic opportunity to elevate MIE and the College of Engineering (COE) as leaders in sustainability-focused education.
“This course is designed to enrich the curriculum of the Master of Energy Engineering program and position our department at the intersection of cutting-edge engineering and global sustainability efforts,” she said. “Through this initiative, we are enhancing our academic offerings and aligning our programs with the evolving demands of industry, policy, and society. Integrating sustainability and renewable energy topics into engineering education reflects the COE’s forward-thinking vision and commitment to social responsibility.”
Her participation also connects MIE to a broader interdisciplinary community of sustainability educators throughout UIC, opening doors for collaboration, visibility, and innovation. It will help the department and COE attract mission-driven students, foster interdisciplinary research, and produce graduates who are well-prepared to lead in decarbonizing the world.
“Students will gain technical knowledge and a broader systems perspective that emphasizes long-term impact, environmental responsibility, and societal benefit,” she said. “The course content will provide real-world context for applying engineering principles to sustainability challenges and help them develop the mindset and tools needed to be responsible engineers and change-makers in their fields.”
Pourarian sees the initiative as an opportunity to inspire a new generation of engineers who see sustainability as a core engineering responsibility.
“I want to help position UIC as a hub for innovation in clean energy and sustainability and to foster deeper connections between engineering education, environmental responsibility, and societal impact. In the long term, I want this course to serve as a catalyst for broader interdisciplinary collaborations, new research directions, and more sustainability-integrated offerings within our programs,” she said.