WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the members of the inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU-MSI) Federal Advisory Council. This council marks a significant milestone in EPA's commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within environmental policymaking and workforce development.
The HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council will provide independent advice and recommendations to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan on strategies to help diversify the agency’s workforce, support the professional development of environmental leaders, and ensure that HBCUs and MSIs receive the resources and support they need to thrive. The council's insights will be crucial in guiding the EPA's efforts to address environmental justice issues and enhance community engagement.
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The establishment of the HBCU-MSI FAC supports President Biden's Executive Order 14035, which seeks to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within the federal workforce. This Executive Order underscores the importance of a federal workforce that reflects the full diversity of the American people. The HBCU-MSI FAC aligns with this vision, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping the EPA's policies and practices.
The following individuals have been appointed to the HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council to serve two-year terms:
- Chair: Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, Managing Partner, AHK Global Resources
- Vice Chair: Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
- Vice Chair: Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University – Fresno
- Vice Chair: Heather Himmelberger, Director, University of New Mexico Southwest Environmental Finance Center
- Abre' Conner, esq., Director, Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- Dr. Andrew Kozich, Environmental Science Department Chair, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Angelina Adams, Counselor – Career Services, Haskell Indian Nations University
- Dr. Darryl Ann Lai Fang, Assistant Vice President of Transformation Support, Institute for Capacity Building, United Negro College Fund
- Dr. Eric O’Rear, Senior Research Analyst, Rhodium Group
- C. Gail Bassette, Director of Economic Development/Strategic Engagement, Bowie State University
- Phil Weilerstein, President and CEO, VentureWell
- Dr. Jerryl Briggs, President, Mississippi Valley State University
- Dr. Lena T. Rodriguez, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Dr. Mark Brown, President and CEO, Tuskegee University
- Dr. Melva Wallace, President and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University
- Michael Johnson, Chief of Staff, PROPEL Center
- Dr. Mike Hoa Nguyen, Member, Board of Directors, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education & Assistant Professor of Education, New York University
- Ray Shackelford, Vice President for Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
- Dr. Sharon Jones, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, University of Washington – Bothell
- Dr. Vann Newkirk, President, Wilberforce University
