About the author, Miriam Weinstein

Welcome to Making A Difference.
In the early 1990's, as a mother engaged in college searches I was convinced there had to be colleges that went beyond "business as usual" and that were committed to the great social and environmental needs of this time. No one I knew was aware of any such colleges. No college counselors discussed them. No college guides wrote about them. So I developed extensive criteria, and then started searching diligently. I found remarkable colleges, and I'm pleased to share them with you. I've been publishing and updating various Making A Difference Guides since 1992. Some great colleges have disappeared, and thankfully, others are reinventing themselves.

One important question when searching for a green college is "exactly what comprises a green education?" According to other quides, a college can be a top green one when 47% of it's graduates go into investment banking. Not in Making A Difference! My criteria - which are flexible - focus first on the college ethos and mission, majors, teaching style, holistic emphasis, careers of graduates, opportunities for service learning, an ethic of service, environmental concerns being front and center. Yes, investments count, recycling counts, transportation policies counts, but hopefully you are going to college for an education and to change the world, not for the college's green administrative policies. I think it is critical to walk the talk, but the primary and most essential components are the education, and that's what I evaluate first.

I sometimes like to describe myself as an "educated tree-hugging semi-vegetarian who eats locally grown food in season and recycles conscientiously". :-) I've been active in social and environmental causes since age 13, beginning with the civil rights movement, and later, the anti-nuclear movement. I dropped out of college in the 60's, raised a large family plus various animals, explored Eastern and Earth-based spirituality, and was an early advocate of green building. I returned to college mid-life and graduated from New College of California (now defunct), which served as the inspiration for Making A Difference Colleges.

As a mother of four, my family has made lots of use of my books. My eldest son graduated from one of the colleges I learned about while researching the guide, and my youngest daughter also attended that college before graduating from New College.

I believe firmly in a social activism and education that is rooted in spirit and with an ethical basis. Without these, activism can easily result in burnout and disillusionment. Many of the colleges in the guide answer this need.

If you've come to this site, you are already searching for or enaged in a deeper education and approach to life. Thank you, everyone is so needed at this time. Those of you engaged in making a better world form the true and lasting world wide web.

If you choose a college from Making A Difference Colleges please be sure to let the admissions office know. I'd also be happy to hear of your experiences. You can email me or drop me a note at P.O. Box 441, Fairfax, CA 94978.