ASU College of Global Futures

What ASU College of Global Futures does

The ASU College of Global Futures is an academic unit within Arizona State University, a public research university headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Established in 2020 as an evolution of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the College consolidates five schools under one organizational umbrella: the School of Sustainability, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, the School of Complex Adaptive Systems, the School of Ocean Futures, and the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures. It serves undergraduate and graduate students through degree programs across more than 40 academic offerings, with operational scale including 300+ study abroad programs across 65+ countries and a 100-student inaugural Global Futures Impact Scholars cohort funded up to $5,000 per student.

The College's research footprint is supported by named research centers including the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, the Institute for the Future of Innovation in Society, the Risk Innovation Lab, CSPO, the Threatcasting Lab, and the ASU Leonardo Initiative. Strategic partnerships include the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) and major philanthropy from the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation. Externally validated designations include #1 rankings in Times Higher Education global impact, AASHE sustainability, and U.S. News innovation. Peter Schlosser serves in an inaugural leadership role at the College level.

The College does not operate as a commercial enterprise. Revenue mechanics flow through ASU's central structure via tuition (public university pricing), research grants, and philanthropic donations; the unit itself does not publish a separate P&L. Its customer base comprises enrolled students and external research/funding partners, with scholarships targeted at first-generation and refugee students to broaden access.

Name

ASU College of Global Futures

Legal name

Arizona State University - Rob Walton College of Global Futures

Website

https://collegeofglobalfutures.asu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ASU College of Global Futures is a public academic unit within Arizona State University operating five schools — Sustainability, Future of Innovation in Society, Complex Adaptive Systems, Ocean Futures, and Conservation Futures — serving undergraduate and graduate students through 40+ degree programs, global research partnerships, and 300+ study abroad programs across 65+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Sustainability Studies

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI), Field Schools & Experiential Academic Programs (Archaeology, Ecology, etc.) (EDAIAIAG), Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ)

Keywords

• Sustainability education
• Global futures studies
• Higher education
• Interdisciplinary research
• Conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Tuition rates are estimated via the ASU Tuition Estimator tool. Federal student aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships, grants, and student employment opportunities supplement tuition revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Rob Walton College of Global Futures offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five specialized schools (School of Sustainability, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, School of Complex Adaptive Systems, School of Ocean Futures, and Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures) addressing planetary health, complexity, conservation, innovation, and oceans. Supporting offerings include 300+ study abroad programs in 65+ countries, the Global Futures Impact Scholars scholarship program with up to $5,000 in project funding, and a Global Futures Careers Connect Portal for student placement.

Product overview

The Rob Walton College of Global Futures is an educational institution comprising five specialized schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The portfolio includes the School of Sustainability (the world's first), School for the Future of Innovation in Society, School of Complex Adaptive Systems, School of Ocean Futures, and the newly established Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures. The college provides a unified approach to planetary health education through hands-on, immersive learning experiences. Supporting services include the Global Futures Impact Scholars scholarship program (up to $5,000 funding), Global Futures Careers Connect Portal, study abroad programs (300+ programs in 65+ countries), and undergraduate/graduate research opportunities including SURE and SURF programs. The college is part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School of Sustainability One of five schools within the College of Global Futures, offering undergraduate and graduate programs focused on environmental, social, and economic sustainability solutions. It is the world's first school of sustainability.
• School for the Future of Innovation in Society One of five schools within the College of Global Futures, focusing on the intersection of innovation, technology, and society to prepare students for careers addressing complex global challenges.
• School of Complex Adaptive Systems One of five schools within the College of Global Futures, studying complex adaptive systems to understand how social, environmental, and technical systems interact and evolve.
• School of Ocean Futures One of five schools within the College of Global Futures, addressing ocean health and marine sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary education and research.
• Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures A newly established school focused on reshaping conservation to achieve interconnection between humans and nature, fostering regenerative environments where biodiversity can thrive through multiple knowledge systems.
• Global Futures Impact Scholars Program A four-year scholarship program for incoming undergraduate students providing up to $5,000 in project-based funding, mentorship, and cohort-based learning experiences to develop changemakers tackling global challenges.
• Study Abroad Programs Over 300 study abroad programs in more than 65 countries including Antarctica, Baja California, Amazon, Botswana, Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Australia, allowing students to gain global perspectives.
• Global Futures Careers Connect Portal Career services portal connecting students with internships, fellowships, full-time jobs, and career resources aligned with the college's values of planetary health and sustainability.
• Student Research Programs Undergraduate research opportunities including SURE (Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience) and SURF (Undergraduate Research Fellows) programs, plus graduate research opportunities across all schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 students in inaugural Global Futures Impact Scholars cohort
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Institute of Sustainability and InnovationcoreOthersA key research institute within the college's ecosystem, conducting sustainability and innovation research that supports the college's educational programs and global futures mission.
• Institute for the Future of Innovation in SocietycoreOthersResearch institute focused on the future of innovation in society, contributing to the college's transdisciplinary approach to global challenges.
• Risk Innovation LabminorOthersResearch lab studying risk innovation within the college's research ecosystem.
• Civic Science for Environmental Futures CollaborationminorOthersCollaboration focused on civic science for environmental futures, part of the broader research network.
• Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO)coreOthersA consortium bridging science, policy and outcomes, integral to the college's mission of creating actionable knowledge for global futures.
• ASU Leonardo InitiativeminorOthersASU initiative fostering interdisciplinary approaches to complex challenges, integrated into the college's research programs.
• Threatcasting LabminorOthersLab focused on threatcasting methodologies for anticipating and addressing future challenges.
• Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIOS hosts the NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program for ASU students. BIOS is a partner in ocean science education and research, offering students opportunities for oceanographic research cruises aboard R/V Atlantic Explorer.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Arizona State University (parent institution): ASU is the parent public research university; the College of Global Futures operates within its broader ecosystem, sharing admissions, financial aid, brand, and infrastructure with peer ASU colleges.

Direct peers

• University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability: SEAS offers interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs in sustainability, conservation, and climate — a leading U.S. peer in the same sustainability-education category.
• Yale School of the Environment: Yale's flagship environment school provides graduate and undergraduate programs in sustainability, conservation, and climate — directly comparable to ASU's School of Sustainability and Conservation Futures.
• Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability: Cornell Atkinson coordinates university-wide sustainability research and education — a peer institution cited alongside ASU in #1 sustainability rankings (AASHE).
• Columbia Climate School: Columbia's Climate School integrates climate, sustainability, and earth science research and education — directly comparable to ASU's planetary-health, oceans, and sustainability schools.
• MIT Sustainability (MIT Climate Project / MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative): MIT's sustainability initiatives span research and education on climate, energy, and complex systems — closely mirroring ASU's complex adaptive systems and innovation schools.
• Stanford School of Sustainability (Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability): Stanford's sustainability school offers interdisciplinary degree and research programs across climate, energy, and oceans — a direct competitor for top sustainability-focused students and faculty against ASU's College of Global Futures.

Others

• Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS): BIOS hosts the NSF-funded REU program for ASU students and is a research partner for ocean science education — an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, comparable as an enabling partner in marine sustainability education.

Emerging players

• Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment: Oxford's Smith School focuses on sustainability, business, and innovation research and teaching — comparable in scope to ASU's sustainability and innovation schools but with a global executive focus.
• University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership: Cambridge's CISL delivers sustainability leadership education and executive programs — comparable in mission to ASU's innovation and sustainability offerings, with a stronger executive-education angle.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/asucollegeofglobalfutures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASU College of Global Futures