DALLAS, TEXAS (August 31, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Paul Quinn College (PQC) located in Dallas, Texas, have agreed to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share environmental knowledge, provide quality Science Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge and provide mentoring and recruiting opportunities.
“Paul Quinn College is a leader in environmental justice and is making great strides in communities across Dallas,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “With this MOU signing, EPA hopes to deepen our work with Paul Quinn students and faculty on environmental research and to raise awareness about local and national environmental issues.”
Paul Quinn College was founded in 1872 and has re-defined itself several times throughout its lifetime. Originally stationed in the city of Austin and then Waco, PQC decided to relocate the college to Dallas in 1990. It has grown to receive nationwide recognition and is one of the first urban colleges which requires students to work to obtain real world experience and then incorporate that experience into its learning curriculum. Under direction from the current President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, PQC has prioritized environmental goals in the local communities and pushed for utilizing its local research center to its full capacity. PQC has even established its own environmental group called, the Paul Quinn College Green Team which has an objective to find solutions to long-standing local environmental health issues.
The MOU outlines several ways to establish cooperation between EPA and PQC, such as EPA attending career fairs at the campus and offering mentorship opportunities for PQC students. Both organizations have demonstrated and expressed an interest in advancing environmental justice in communities. EPA will provide opportunities for PQC’s participation in public activities where EPA is actively engaged with communities to address potential environmental impacts.
The MOU was signed by Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance and Paul Quinn College President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell on the college campus on August 31st.
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