B-CU Partners with EPA to Create New Programs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) will become official partners to incorporate programs in environmental science, research, education and workforce development. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will be held at noon  Wednesday, Feb. 18^th at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.

 According to B-CU President Dr. Edison O. Jackson, the partnership will prepare more minorities for careers in environmental science.  As B-CU continues to progress and grow, the administrators could not overlook the need to offer avenues within environmental science and research, which is underrepresented by minorities, Jackson said.

The U.S. EPA is well aware of the disproportionate numbers and makes partnerships like this one a top priority.  “This is a great accomplishment for B-CU.  We will now be able to efficiently compete for relative research grants and take advantage of other great environmental opportunities.  Most importantly, we will open up many avenues for our students, faculty and surrounding communities, as well,” Dr. Jackson said.

B-CU and the EPA will focus their efforts in seven areas: faculty research participation; student internships and employment; technical assistance; staff/faculty appointments; seminars/mini courses; outreach programs; and infrastructure.  The implementation of these initiatives will happen over a three year period. 

Bethune-Cookman University was founded in 1904 and serves the community via three campuses in Daytona Beach, Deltona and Hastings. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu.

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