EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan Announces Members of Inaugural HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council
WASHINGTON (September 16, 2024) — 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.
“We are honored to have such a distinguished group of leaders join the first-ever HBCU-MSI Advisory Council,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Each member brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a deep commitment to advancing environmental justice and helping to diversify contributions to environmental policies. Their unique perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to ensure that all communities have a voice in our shared work to protect public health and the environment, to empower the next generation of environmental leaders, and to support these vital institutions for generations to come.”
“Including the voices of HBCUs in the EPA’s new Federal Advisory Council reflect EPA’s commitment to achieving real results that empower students and support the communities that HBCUs serve, and deliver on the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government investment efforts in HBCUs. These actions ensure those who have firsthand experience with environmental justice issues like asthma and lead service line replacement will have a say in how we clean up the nation’s air and water, and will help build a clean energy economy that benefits everyone.” Said Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12)
“Communities of color across the country have long felt the impact of environmental transgressions, and no one understands those communities and impacts better than historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions. It makes good sense to turn to them for counsel as the Environmental Protection Agency seeks to make a greater difference than ever in environmental justice,” said council Chair and former Board of Trustees chair for the nation’s largest HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Hilda Pinnix-Ragland. “Administrator Regan is taking a significant and historically important step in establishing the EPA’s first-ever HBCU and MSI Federal Advisory Council, and I am deeply honored to have been selected to be part of the council. I look forward to joining with my fellow council members in making a difference for our universities and the communities they serve.”
“It is with great humility and enthusiasm that I accept the appointment as Vice Chair of the newly created HBCU and Minority-Serving Institutions Federal Advisory Council at the U.S. EPA,” said council Vice Chair and Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental justice, Dr. Beverly Wright. “As a proud graduate of Grambling University, I know the power of these institutions, the sense of duty and excellence that they instill in their students, and the way that they buttress their communities. I am thrilled to be part of bringing that unique voice and knowledge to the EPA. I believe it will lend itself to inspired solutions to some of our biggest challenges and help us chart the course to an environmentally just future.
“We are at a time when the environmental workforce, and especially the water workforce, is facing significant challenges on all fronts – including the ability to secure workers at all levels of the sector and to obtain and maintain a more diverse employee base,” said council Vice Chair and Director of the University of New Mexico’s Southwest Environmental Finance Center, Heather Himmelberger. “One amazing opportunity available to EPA is the rich, talented group of individuals attending HBCUs and MSIs across the country. Tapping into this creative force can open up new avenues for growth for everyone – the EPA, the universities, the students, and the general public, who ultimately reap the benefits of a cleaner, healthier environment. This board is chance to explore ways in which EPA can help HBCUs and MSIs and how these institutions can in turn help EPA. I am so honored to have this opportunity to participate in this new advisory committee in a leadership role and to share with others our successes as an MSI working with EPA and our challenges. I bring a unique perspective having worked at an MSI for 30 years, worked with all 10 EPA regions, travelled and worked across all 50 states and U.S. territories, that I hope will offer insights during the work of this board. I am excited to meet all the other board members and work collaboratively with them to offer advice to the agency on increased HBCU/MSI participation.”
“I am deeply honored to represent Fresno State and serve as Vice Chair of the EPA’s inaugural HBCU and Minority-Serving Institutions Federal Advisory Council,” said council Vice Chair and President of California State University – Fresno, Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “I’m excited that this diverse council will provide feedback and advice on monumentally important issues regarding the environment and education. Our Minority Serving Institutions are key to the vibrant future of our country, in part through opportunities like this one.
The HBCU-MSI FAC is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to promote equity in economic and educational opportunities, protect public health, and preserve the environment. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANHPISIs), play a critical role in educating and preparing diverse leaders.
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
