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Dustin Luca
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SALEM, MASS. – Behind every tree planted and solar panel installed at Salem State University is a person that the state’s Department of Energy Resources has named a member of this year’s “Leading By Example” cohort of impactful environmental leaders in the Commonwealth.
Tara Gallagher, Salem State’s assistant director of sustainability and environmental health and safety, was celebrated by the state at a ceremony held in Boston on Thursday, Jan. 30 as part of this year’s cohort of “Leading By Example” award recipients. She was honored alongside five other sets of recipients for her leadership in driving initiatives to decarbonize operations and reduce environmental impacts and energy-related operating costs at Salem State.
The Leading By Example awards recognize outstanding efforts among state agencies, public colleges and universities, and municipalities that have implemented policies and programs that have led to significant and measurable environmental and energy benefits. Gallagher’s award was one of two issued to individuals, alongside two public entities and two municipalities honored for 2025.
“Trailblazers at the state and local level are leading by example every day to help Massachusetts achieve its climate goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Today’s award ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their successes fighting climate change, lowering costs, and making Massachusetts a healthier place to live and work.”
More than just a planner of projects, Gallagher has been an advocating force for environmental good and reducing Salem State’s carbon footprint in her time on campus. In its issuing of the award, the organization highlighted Gallagher’s years of work as a fixture within the Leading By Example program, where she has consistently shared her experiences and best practices with other campuses and agencies.
Gallagher is known to do the same on her own campus as well, she explained. A prior adjunct faculty member of the geography and sustainability department, she has served as assistant director of sustainability and environmental health and safety since 2017.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is speaking to classes about our sustainability programs at Salem State, about climate change, what we can do, what we are doing,” Gallagher said. “My goal is to help them understand the challenges and feel proud of the progress Salem State is making.”
In announcing the awards, the state highlighted Gallagher’s work “Leading By Example to secure funding to develop one of the early state government decarbonization roadmaps.” Gallagher is advancing efforts to implement the roadmap as her department navigates a decarbonization project at Salem State – the first of a broad set of projects to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels at the university.
Gallagher has also led efforts to install electric vehicle charging ports on campus and is now working to transition the university’s fleet to electric vehicles. She has also facilitated the installation of rooftop solar on five buildings, and two additional rooftop solar projects and a solar canopy are in development.
Gallagher said she is energized by the award, but she explained that she’s just part of the picture of the energy transformation playing out at Salem State University.
“It’s really a reflection of how much the students, the state, leadership, and the faculty care about sustainability,” Gallagher said. “Together, we’ve been able to make a meaningful difference. It’s fantastic to be acknowledged, great to be enabled to make a difference – and to be acknowledged for that is incredibly exciting.”