With the growth in green technology comes a growth in the green business sector. While this is great news, it begs the question ‘who will lead the business community in the green revolution?’ Oftentimes, business owners are far too busy to brush up on their sustainability knowledge and managers have so much on their plate, that the whole process may just seem overwhelming.

More and more, small and mid-size business are turning to ‘green professionals’ to help make their business more eco-friendly. As one questions often begets another, such is the case here. If businesses are increasingly looking outside of their staff for help greening their establishments, where can they find a reliable source for green consultants?

Well, Bainbridge Graduate Institute (BGI) in Seattle, Washington is a pretty good answer. Founded in 2002 by Elizabeth and Gifford Pinochet, Jill Bamburg and Dr. Sherman Severin, the university sprung out of the desire to have people with the "global values become good at business." Today, the university boasts an accredited Sustainable MBA program and two certificate programs: one in Sustainable Business and one in Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship. Thought to be the first university of its kind, Bainbridge breaks the mold of traditional graduate schooling.

The academic programs offered by Bainbridge are, at the same time, cutting-edge and pertinent. The university is the perfect solution for any kind of student looking for graduate coursework in sustainable business. Whether you have three years to dedicate to an MBA, or just a few months to devote to a sustainable business certificate, there is something for everybody.

The caliber of faculty at the university only serves to solidify the authenticity of Bainbridge’s commitment to sustainable education. Besides having PhDs, the teachers at Bainbridge are also small business owners, corporate business moguls, and qualified specialists who have all dedicated their professional lives to sustainable business practices. Who better to learn from than people who have been through it all before?

Aside from its academic focus in sustainability, the BGI is run according to sustainable principals. Students in both the MBA and the certificate programs meet as little as possible (anywhere from once a week to once a month), with most of the course work being done over the internet. This is to decrease the amount of energy used in transportation to and from the university, as well as to decrease the amount of energy used in the university’s facilities.

Further, the Bainbridge campus, Islandwood, a large, LEED® Gold-Certified campus on Bainbridge Island, is "home to 240 acres of trails, sustainably designed meeting spaces and lodges, locally raised food and state-of-the-art classroom technology."

Aside from working with the students of Bainbridge to further sustainable ideals, the university also reaches out to the community on a monthly basis. According to Bainbridge Graduate Institute, the Sustainable Business Speaker Series brings "sustainability thought leaders, business executives and social entrepreneurs" to Islandwood’s Great Hall to give lectures and provide inspiration to both students and members of the general public.

Of course, Bainbridge isn’t the only game in town for graduate-level sustainable business education. The Presidio School of Management’s Sustainable MBA program also provides the convenience of low residency requirements with a distinguished faculty. The biennial Beyond Grey Pinstripes report ranks more traditional MBA programs "that are integrating issues of social and environmental stewardship into curricula and research." Graduate work in sustainable business may be as close as your local college or university.

(photos courtesy of bainbridge Graduate Institute)