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EPA and CCNY Team Up to Promote Careers in Environmental Science and Engineering

Release Date: 12/16/2008
Contact Information: Beth Totman (212) 637-3662, [email protected]

(New York, NY ) The City College of New York (CCNY) has long been identified as an institution of learning that provides exceptional educational opportunities for its students. Today, CCNY took that commitment one step further by signing an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work together to foster students’ interests in environmental and science careers and to help bring qualified students into EPA’s workforce.

“The environmental challenges we face today and into the future require a workforce that is well-educated, dedicated to the cause and ready for action,” said Alan J. Steinberg, Regional Administrator. “CCNY gets a Summa Cum Laude for partnering with EPA to promote an interest in students to pursue careers that will make this a better world.”

“This memorandum opens the door to exciting new opportunities for City College students and faculty to participate in and benefit from EPA’s programs, and it is a ringing endorsement of our success in preparing students from diverse backgrounds for science and technology-related careers,” said Dr. Gregory H. Williams, CCNY President. “As we strive to become a leader in environmental education, our new relationship with EPA will help us enrich our curriculum and play a greater role in addressing the environmental challenges that confront our city, our nation and the world.”

The programs covered under the memorandum of understanding will help EPA hire talented individuals by using innovative ways of recruiting, as well as promoting opportunities in higher education. EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment demands a highly trained, diverse workforce of professionals trained in science and technology. The supply of diverse students pursuing science and technology-related fields is dwindling, and today’s agreement will help address the challenge. EPA has also agreed to assist the faculty of CCNY in developing curriculum and fostering the exchange of key ideas.

CCNY has provided opportunities for students from every background to pursue higher education and has increased the pool of professionals that are available to meet the nation's scientific, financial, legal, academic, diplomatic, political, artistic, and cultural needs.

Key components of the five-year agreement between EPA and CCNY include:

• Summer Internship Program – Using an existing summer intern program in its Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, EPA will provide graduate and undergraduate students with an opportunity to perform academically-related work on environmental issues.
  
• Student Educational Employment Program – EPA and CCNY will sign a separate agreement to establish a career development program to recruit CCNY students who are majoring in engineering, physical and social sciences, economics, computer science, or public administration. CCNY will identify students to participate in the program and develop a curriculum intended to work with the program and provide guidelines for all aspects of the program.
  
• Recruitment and Career Assistance – EPA will participate in on-campus or electronic career fairs and provide seminars on pursuing a public service career including advice with preparing resumes and government job applications.
  
• Visiting Environmental Professionals Program – EPA will participate in an on-campus speakers’ program to allow employees to learn about current environmental topics. The purpose of the program is to expose students and faculty to the connection between the practical problems of waste management, emergency planning and response, environmental cleanup and control, and the continuing course work and research on campus.
  
• Grant Forum – EPA will provide information to CCNY administration, faculty and students on how to apply for EPA grants, get graduate or undergraduate fellowships, serve on EPA peer review committees, and partner with small businesses and other institutions.