EDF and N.C. A&T Partner to Support Future Environmental Leaders

(RALEIGH, N.C. — Dec. 18, 2020) Environmental Defense Fund and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) held a virtual signing ceremony today to formalize an internship program that has been operating for three years to develop future environmental leaders.

“This partnership is all about creating opportunities for young Black leaders to rise in the fields of agriculture and environmental science, where they are essential to creating a sustainable future,” said CAES dean Mohamed Ahmedna, Ph.D., who co-signed the agreement with Hawley Truax, EDF southeast regional senior director.

“Our shared goal is to help talented students rise to the challenge of building a more resilient future,” Truax said. “Growing the diversity of people and perspectives in the field is essential to overcoming longstanding barriers to progress.”

Under the agreement, EDF will provide a summer internship for a qualified CAES student interested in exploring a career in environmental work, from sustainable agriculture to environmental policy. EDF and N.C. A&T will seek additional opportunities to collaborate through guest lectures, joint research and other projects.

“In the three years we’ve collaborated with EDF on this internship, I’ve seen my students gain the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce to make a difference in the world,” said Antoine Alston, Ph.D., CAES associate dean for academic studies. “As an educator, there is no better feeling than supporting your students’ dreams, and I hope this partnership will help many more N.C. A&T students realize their dreams of becoming environmental leaders.”

Michael S. Regan, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, also attended the signing ceremony and provided opening remarks. Regan is an alumnus of N.C. A&T and former associate vice president and southeast regional director at EDF.