UWF professor recognized for sustainable business achievements
University of West Florida faculty member Dr. Haris Alibašić has been recognized by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum for his previous work directing energy, sustainability and legislative affairs policies and programs for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Alibašić, assistant professor in the UWF Department of Legal Studies, Public Administration and Sport Management, joined the University in 2015 from the City of Grand Rapids, where he promoted policies resulting in significantly reduced energy usage and cost and spurring significant renewable energy investments. Under his leadership, the City of Grand Rapids won two national sustainability awards, one in 2010 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the most sustainable city, and one in 2012 from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for climate protection work in the large cities category. Citing these achievements, West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Executive Director Dan Schoonmaker presented a Sustainable Business Hall of Fame merit award to Alibašić in November 2016. 
“We are thrilled that Dr. Alibašić’s career-long dedication in researching and promoting sustainability practices has been recognized by this award,” said Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, chair of the UWF Department of Legal Studies, Public Administration and Sports Management. “His significant contributions in the area of sustainability, particularly in the public sector, continue to have a positive impact.”
While employed at the City of Grand Rapids, Alibašić concurrently completed his doctoral research on sustainability, sustainable energy, resilience and local governments.
“My research and teaching interests are deeply connected to sustainability, and I hope to utilize my skills to support sustainability initiatives in Northwest Florida,” Alibašić said.
Alibašić has more than 12 years of experience teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level in public policy, public administration, economic development and sustainability at Grand Valley State University and Davenport University. More recently, he has taught public service ethics, political economy of public administration, government contract law, and public administration in American society at UWF.
He has additional experience working for the United Nations Mission and the Office of High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he served as co-chair for the energy sector of the White House Climate Preparedness and Resilience Task Force in 2014.
For more information about the Department of Legal Studies, Public Administration and Sports Management, visit uwf.edu/lps.
