Book excerpt: A-State Department of Sustainability: Software Applications in Business Project A-State Department of Sustainability is a fictional organization in which the student works as the Executive Assistant. The project consists of 28 workdays (June 1 - July 8) during which students complete the following tasks: Create and update spreadsheets, databases, charts, graphs, an organizational chart and Gantt Chart; write business letters, memos, emails, a slogan, and press release; design a letterhead, brochure, advertisement, flyer, t-shirt, web site and blog; organize a global conference and conduct problem solving. Instructors may assign tutorials for software as needed. Tutorials are not included in the text. All assignments refer to "spreadsheet, database, word processing, ect." so the instructors/students can use their preferred software brands. Examples of how to format letters, memos, emails, and spreadsheets are included. In the optional research and presentation component students research and present topics related to global and domestic sustainability. This textbook has been designed for lower-level and upper-level courses and can be easily adapted for in-class or online use. From the author: I created this textbook while teaching Software Applications in Business because I could not find a suitable text. I have conducted many iterations of refinement during classroom use. Many years of industry experience together with a 15-year State University of New York tenure have enabled me to design a textbook that will meet the needs of instructors who wish to create a realistic experience which builds a skill set that students can confidently take into the workplace. Students have returned after graduation and told me this was a valuable class and they could immediately utilize the skills they developed during the class in their current jobs. For more information: https: //www.facebook.com/AStateDepartmentOfSustainability