EPA, MSU Denver partnership strengthens career opportunities for students
DENVER – Leaders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Metropolitan State University of Denver renewed their commitment to Colorado students during a partnership signing ceremony in Denver today.
The partnership between EPA and MSU Denver, first signed into effect in 2018, promotes education and recruitment of diverse students for environment-related careers in Colorado. Today’s ceremony at the MSU Denver campus celebrated the successes of that collaboration. It also formalized the continued advancement of education and career development for students interested in a wide range of fields such as science, environmental justice and business.
“By signing this updated partnership agreement with MSU Denver today, I’m reaffirming EPA’s commitment to the future of local students,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “These MSU Denver students are talented, diverse and invaluable to advancing Colorado’s prestigious environment-related workforce.”
As part of their initial partnership agreement, EPA and MSU Denver organized student scientist presentations to EPA professionals, coordinated EPA guest lectures and supported MSU Denver's summer science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp. Two MSU Denver students are currently interning at EPA’s Denver office and numerous alumni are part of the EPA workforce.
Plans for the renewed agreement include:
- Broadening support for career fields such as business, Native American studies, political science, community engagement and environmental justice;
- Federal hiring and resume workshops for students;
- Career guidance from EPA professionals;
- Presentations by EPA experts at classes and university conferences; and
- Exploring opportunities for joint research projects to support student development.
“This enables us to build upon our past work and take our partnership pipeline to the next level,” said Hsiu-Ping Liu, Ph.D., director of the MSU Denver Center for Advanced STEM Education who helped develop the renewed agreement. “We want to support our students both inside and outside of the classroom so that they are well prepared for graduate school and careers in STEM fields. Research and applied-learning internships are the best way for students to learn content, develop critical-thinking skills and collaborate in team environments. Partnerships like this one truly reflect MSU Denver’s mission to provide a well-balanced, holistic and relevant education for our students.”