EPA and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Sign MOU

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) in Socorro, NM, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for partnership opportunities between the two organizations. The MOU covers areas such as mentoring, recruiting, and environmental justice.

“New Mexico Tech graduates complete their studies with skills and expertise that directly correlate to many areas of EPA’s work, such as designing and engineering remedies for contaminated sites and analyzing and assessing land, water, and air quality issues,” said Dr. Earthea Nance, regional administrator EPA region 6. “We are excited about creating more opportunities for partnership, which will benefit both organizations as well as the communities we serve.”

As a science-based agency, EPA has a consistent need for highly trained, diverse professionals in relevant fields. NMT offers over bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in areas such as sciences, technology, engineering, and management, with research specialties such as hydrology, atmospheric physics, and petroleum recovery. The MOU establishes ways for qualified students and graduates to participate in EPA programs and to raise awareness of national employment opportunities.

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect our environment and it is through agreements and partnerships like this that we set the foundation for advancing mutual interests and goals for generations to come,” said KC Becker, regional administrator EPA region 8. “This not only provides NMT students and faculty access to EPA expertise in the fields of science and engineering, but also in gaining a better understanding of potential opportunities and in applying for internships and job opportunities at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” 

The MOU outlines several ways to enhance cooperation between EPA and NMT, such as sending EPA representatives to career fairs, identifying mentors for careers in environmental public service, organizing workshops, and offering NMT opportunities to engage with EPA’s environmental justice work.