1. Developing an Urban-focused Environmental Science curriculum Wm. W. Montgomery New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ wmontgomery@njcu.edu

2. 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

3. Background - University Vision 2010 Strategic Plan:

4. Background - University Vision 2010 Strategic Plan

5. 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!

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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?