Moravian Academy Becomes First Pennsylvania School to Partner with Global Sustainability Institute

The partnership with the Villars Institute connects students to international leadership and systems-thinking education.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Sustainability is no longer a niche priority. It is a defining force shaping how corporations operate, how communities invest, and how institutions prepare the next generation for leadership. From evolving regulatory frameworks and climate accountability to growing consumer demands for authenticity, transparency, and purpose, the expectation is clear: organizations must do more than adapt; they must lead. Education sits at the center of this momentum, charged with preparing young people not only to succeed in their careers, but to navigate complexity, think systemically, and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly changing world.

For Moravian Academy, that responsibility has long been embedded in its mission. The school is committed to equipping students with the skills, perspective, and ethical grounding needed to thrive in the future; developing critical thinkers who can recognize opportunity, collaborate across disciplines, and engage thoughtfully with global challenges. That commitment extends beyond academic preparation, emphasizing global citizenship, leadership, and an understanding of how individual decisions ripple through interconnected systems.

It is this shared philosophy that led Moravian Academy to become a distinguished partner school of the Villars Institute, an international nonprofit dedicated to accelerating systems leadership and sustainability education. As the Institute’s first partner school in Pennsylvania and its fifth in the United States, Moravian Academy joins a global network of forward-thinking institutions committed to preparing students to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Through this partnership, Moravian Academy will select two to four students each year from grades nine through 11 to participate in the Villars Fellowship Program in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. The fellowship offers students an immersive learning experience centered on systems thinking, sustainability, and leadership, connecting classroom learning to real-world application alongside peers and mentors from around the globe.

“The Villars Fellowship Program provides our students with a transformative opportunity to explore systems thinking, deepen their leadership capacity, and collaborate with peers and mentors from around the world,” said Adrianne Finley Odell, Head of School at Moravian

Academy. “We are proud to join this international network of schools preparing young people to lead with curiosity, compassion, and a shared responsibility for a more sustainable future.”

“Moravian Academy exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking leadership we seek in our partner schools,” said Lee Howell, executive director of the Villars Institute. “Their commitment to systems thinking, sustainability, and whole-student education aligns deeply with our mission to prepare young people to address complex global challenges.”

The Villars Institute selected Moravian Academy based on the school’s strong leadership, integrated sustainability initiatives, and emphasis on interdisciplinary and whole-student education. Moravian Academy’s ability to cultivate intellectually curious, ethically grounded students distinguished it as a natural partner within the Institute’s growing U.S. and global footprint, which includes partner schools in Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, and California.

At the heart of the fellowship experience is the Villars Symposium, a multi-day interactive program held in the Swiss Alps that convenes students, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, and systems leaders. The symposium focuses on six core learning themes: systems thinking and systems leadership; planetary boundaries; net-zero carbon emissions; nature-positive solutions; energy transition; and emerging technologies. Fellows are challenged to think critically, collaborate across generations, and explore innovative approaches to sustainability and global resilience.

Following the symposium, students continue their journey through the Villars Mentorship Program, joining a lifelong learning community dedicated to systems leadership. Fellows gain access to global networks, academic resources, publishing opportunities through the Villars Review, and continued engagement with thought leaders working at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and policy.

Students applying for the fellowship are evaluated holistically across four key areas: academic readiness and intellectual curiosity; systems-leadership traits; character and community engagement; and motivation and program fit. Applications are reviewed by a committee that includes Moravian Academy’s Head of School, campus director, all-school sustainability coordinator, dean of students, director of student activities, and director of financial aid.

Founded in 2022, the Villars Institute is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net-zero, nature-positive economy and restoring planetary health. Based in the Swiss Alps, the Institute serves as a global platform for intergenerational collaboration, education, and systemic change, curating programs that integrate sustainability, culture, and innovation.

To learn more about the 2026 Villars Institute Fellowship Program, visit www.moravianacademy.org/villars-institute-fellowship-program-2026.

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ABOUT MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Founded in 1742 by Countess Benigna von Zinzendorf and later joined by The Swain School in a 2020 merger, Moravian Academy is steeped in a legacy of educational excellence. At our Swain, Historic Downtown, and Merle-Smith Campuses, our students are immersed in a community that values creativity, curiosity, love, and understanding, and students are encouraged to explore their identities, asking, “Who am I, and who can I become?”

Visit us in person to experience firsthand the transformative power of a Moravian Academy education and find more information about our programs on our website, www.moravianacademy.org.

Information provided to TVL by:
Amiee Goldy