E.P.A. Region Seven and Donnelly College to Combine Efforts on Joint Research and Teaching Initiatives

Category: Grants and Awards
Type: News
Source: EPA
Date: Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

(Lenexa, Kan., September 29, 2015) - Representatives of E.P.A. Region seven and Donnelly College today signed a Memorandum of Arrangement to create new joint research and teaching initiatives at the school. The Arrangement benefits both the federal agency's regional operations and Donnelly College.

E.P.A. Acting Regional Administrator Mark Hague and Donnelly President Monsignor Stuart Swetland signed the Arrangement during E.P.A. Region 7's observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month at the agency's regional office in Lenexa, Kan.

"With this Arrangement as our framework, E.P.A. Region seven looks forward to building an effective and cooperative working relationship with Donnelly," Hague said. "The school has noted teaching and research programs. Combining our efforts will create a wealth of new knowledge and practices that will benefit both our communities and the people we serve here in the Heartland. E.P.A. Region seven is fortunate to have Donnelly as our partner."

Located in Kansas City, Kan., and with roots dating back to 1949, Donnelly College is the only college in the four-state region designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution that offers a four-year degree option. Forty-two percent of Donnelly's 900 students are Hispanic. The school has a proud tradition of being an invaluable resource to address the problem of underrepresentation of Hispanics in science, mathematics, information technologies and engineering fields, in addition to the participation of Hispanic students in national environmental programs.

The new Arrangement outlines ten areas of cooperation between the agency and the college:

Joint Research Plans - Donnelly will be made aware of opportunities to participate in research sponsored by E.P.A. Region seven through the submission of proposals for grants and cooperative agreements.
Faculty Research Participation - Visits of Donnelly's faculty, staff and students to E.P.A. Region 7's facilities for meetings, workshops, training events, tours and research participation will be encouraged and facilitated. Temporary faculty appointments may be offered during summer periods and, when appropriate, may be sponsored for long-term research participation.
Adjunct Faculty Appointments - Donnelly will consider adjunct faculty appointments for E.P.A. Region seven staff. Temporary appointments may be offered during summer periods and, when appropriate, may be sponsored for long-term research participation.
Student Internships and Employment at E.P.A. Region seven - Donnelly students will be encouraged to take advantage of existing E.P.A. Region seven programs designed for student participation and training. This will include current programs allowing opportunities for graduating and undergraduate students to gain experience during the academic year and summers, as well as paid and volunteer internship projects. E.P.A. may make paid and non-paid internship Plans available.
Technical Assistance - E.P.A. Region seven staff may visit Donnelly for consultations, meetings, workshops and seminars, and may assist the university with development of syllabi for on-campus course work as requested and as the agency's resources are available. E.P.A. Region seven will strive to make key training tools accessible as Donnelly looks for opportunities to acquire federal funding.
Mini-Courses, Lectures and Seminar Speakers - E.P.A. Region seven will inform Donnelly about technical training support that the agency may offer on subjects such as inspections and certifications, biology, chemistry, engineering, physical and environmental sciences, waste disposal and other subjects.
Equipment - Consistent with all requirements of federal property regulations, E.P.A. Region seven may provide excess and surplus research, scientific equipment, publications, periodicals and office furniture to Donnelly to meet the needs of current and planned education, research and training programs.
Outreach Plan - E.P.A. Region seven staff will make best efforts to attend university sponsored career fairs and other outreach events, and will encourage Donnelly students to apply for paid and non-paid internship opportunities.
Grant Opportunities - E.P.A. Region seven may provide grant application assistance to the university in accordance with applicable grant regulations, Donnelly's respective mission and purpose, and E.P.A. Region 7's resource capacity.
Environmental Student Initiatives - E.P.A. Region seven will support Donnelly in its quest for environmental awareness on campus through such activities as educating students on environmental sustainability, and providing presentations on topics that support sustainability and environmental safety.

A copy of the signed MOA is accessible online.

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