LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 13, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis have established a partnership to provide scientific collaboration, outreach, and career opportunities for students.
A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the partnership was signed on Monday, Nov. 13 at an event held on the Harris-Stowe campus by EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister and Harris-Stowe President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith. Following the ceremony, McCollister and Smith met with university student groups to discuss environmental concerns and opportunities outlined in the MOU.
“This partnership is incredibly important for EPA Region 7,” McCollister said. “Through the opportunities presented in this MOU, students of Harris-Stowe State University have the potential to become future leaders in the areas of human health and the environment. Additionally, the MOU will allow EPA to leverage the university’s Institute for Social Justice, enhancing our approach to fair and equitable policies across our region.”
"Harris-Stowe State University is most appreciative and excited to partner with EPA to expand learning experiences and opportunities for our students and faculty," Collins Smith said. "There has never been a more crucial time to educate and inspire students to become the next generation of environmental leaders.”
The MOU outlines five areas for collaboration and partnership between EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe:
- Joint Research Projects – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will coordinate on a regular basis to identify mutually beneficial research priorities.
- Faculty Research Participation – Harris-Stowe and EPA Region 7 will encourage and facilitate visits of faculty, staff, scientists, and students to each other’s facilities for consultations, meetings, workshops, short courses, tours, and research participation.
- Student Internships and Employment – EPA Region 7 will share information regarding programs that are designed for student employment, participation, and training. Harris-Stowe will facilitate the participation of students and staff in EPA internship outreach opportunities, such as inviting EPA to speak to classes, facilitating USAJOBS computer workshops, and inviting EPA to relevant job fairs and career fairs.
- Technical Assistance/Mini-Courses/Lectures/Seminar Speakers – EPA Region 7 and Harris-Stowe will consider opportunities to work together on consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- Outreach Program – EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to attend college-sponsored career fairs and other outreach events, as appropriate, and Harris-Stowe will work to provide notice to EPA Region 7 of relevant outreach activities. EPA Region 7 will make best efforts to participate in University Career Forums and events and host environmental justice programming. Harris-Stowe may request Black History Month programming each year.
Background
This partnership supports EPA’s efforts to align with Executive Order 14041, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); HBCU PARTNERS Act; EPA’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which includes the Agency’s Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity Equity Inclusion Accessibility in the Federal Workforce; and EPA Administrator Regan’s pledge to fortify HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) into the future.
The newly signed MOU will develop students as environmental leaders in underserved communities and increase outreach and recruitment opportunities for EPA, enhancing inclusion and opportunities for HBCUs/MSIs, in support of the Agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.
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