Purpose – The aim of this paper is to adopt Avery and Bergsteiner's 23 sustainable leadership practices derived from sustainable organizations as a framework to examine the leadership practices of Thailand's oldest university. Design/methodology/approach – Avery and Bergsteiner's principles were grouped into six categories for analysis: long-term perspective, staff development, organizational culture, innovation, social responsibility, and ethical behavior, providing the framework for analysis of the university. Adopting a multi-data collection approach, research teams supplemented case study data with participant observations, and reference to documentation and information supplied by, or published about the university. Semi-structured interviews were held with multiple stakeholders. Findings – Six core sets of practices consistent with 21 sustainable leadership practices are identified: a focus on a long-term perspective, staff development, a strong organizational culture, innovation, social and environmental responsibility and ethical behavior. Practical implications – Since sustainable leadership principles link to enhanced brand and reputation, customer and staff satisfaction, and financial performance, the Sustainable Leadership Grid provides educational leaders with a useful checklist for this purpose. Originality/value – This paper contains the first examination of sustainable leadership in the higher education sector. It shows that even a public service organization can adopt the long-term, socially responsible principles of sustainable leadership.