On Thursday, March 28, 2024, in partnership with EPA Region 3 and the EPA Alumni Association, EPN conducted a virtual roundtable event with Virginia State University (VSU), a historically Black institution in Petersburg, Virginia. This event was part of our efforts to diversify EPA’s workforce by holding events at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). EPA Region 3 Chief of Staff Terri Dean welcomed students and gave a brief introduction to EPA. Beth Craig, former Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, moderated the conversation. Panelists included Sam Coleman, former Regional Deputy Administrator for EPA Region 6; Walter Wilkie, former Deputy Director of the Environmental Assessment and Innovation Division for EPA Region 3; and a current Region 3 employee, who is also a graduate of VSU. The panelists spoke about how their education helped to prepare them for a career at EPA and why they chose to work in public service. EPN offered 20-30 minute one-on-one mentor sessions to interested students.
HBCU Recruitment at Virginia State University
