Developing an Urban-focused Environmental Science

curriculumWm. W. Montgomery

New Jersey City University

Jersey City, NJ

wmontgomery@njcu.edu

Background - University

• Primarily undergraduate; MS programs in Business, Nursing, Education, etc.

• Minority Institution

• Hispanic-Serving Institution (> 30% Hisp)

• Very diverse:– 40% Caucasian– 30% Hispanic– 20% African-American

Background - University• Vision 2010 Strategic Plan:

Background - University• Vision 2010 Strategic Plan

Background (Department)• Departmental concerns about:

– Long-term program sustainability / recruitment– Learning outcomes / technical expertise of

graduating majors– Keeping degree tracks modern, relevant– Dept growing, Faculty shrinking: Do more with

less (and don’t burn out….)

Against this backdrop: a grant-writing opportunity exclusive to HSIs…..to USDA!

USDA Proposal Background & Partners

• Why USDA?– Major goal: diversify / improve food/ag

scientific professional workforce– Strategic Goal #6: Protect & enhance Nation’s

natural resource base and environment – Supported areas include curriculum

improvement• MUST partner; we get lucky:

– Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ; Exec Director knows:

– USDA’s NRCS– NJ Dept of Environmental Protection– Liberty Science Center (yes, that Liberty)

Major Elements of NJCU Proposal to USDA

• Niche…very few “urban” programs in NE U.S.• Relevant, “close to home” for students• Intro. Prins of Environmental Science course

– (Satisfies Gen. Studies Nat Sci: BIG DRAW)• Interdisciplinary, experiential courses:

– Urban Field Ecology (Bio)– Field Methods in Urban Environment (Geos)– Urban Environmental Chemistry (Chem)

• Outcomes: modern knowledge & high-tech skills• Indep rsch & internships through partners • Anticipate growth in both major & minor count• Sustainable – Dept will survive, grow, prosper

What Partners Bring…• “Real world” perspective & knowledge of

workplace needs / demands• Fresh ideas & focii…widen that tunnel vision!

– “urban forests”– “heat islands”– new Hudson County Soils Map– GIS / GPS ubiquitously…sample, map, model

• Assist with curriculum development• Guest lectures, guest field trip leaders,

research / project mentors• Wide array of student rsch / prjct opportunities at

NRCS, CWF, Liberty State Park, NJDEP

Summary

• We’ll do the curriculum anyway….• But how cool to work with all these

diverse, outstanding partners• Keep learning that lesson over and over

again, Bill…..• Don’t work in a vacuum!!• We’ll keep you posted….this curriculum

should be adaptable nationwide, especially at urban minority institutions

• Thanks for your patience…..Questions?