Schellhas was instrumental in bringing the vision and mission of sustainable design to the Art Academy's 1212 Jackson Building, which was awarded LEED Certification by the U. S. Green Building Council in 2008. In the Fall of 2010, Schellhas served as a Fellow at the Pratt Academic Leadership Summit on Sustainability in New York City. Before joining the Art Academy, she taught at Miami University, the University of Washington and Northern Kentucky University.