EPA Administrator Regan Announces Members Inaugural HBCU-MSI Federal Advisory Council

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sept. 16 announced the members of the inaugural Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU-MSI) federal advisory council. This council marks a milestone in the EPA 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.

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 or MSIs, which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions or HSIs, Tribal Colleges and Universities or TCUs, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions or 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 or 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:

1. Chair: Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, Managing Partner, AHK Global Resources
2. Vice Chair: Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder and Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
3. Vice Chair: Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University – Fresno
4. Vice Chair: Heather Himmelberger, Director, University of New Mexico Southwest Environmental Finance Center
5. Abre’ Conner, esq., Director, Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
6. Dr. Andrew Kozich, Environmental Science Department Chair, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
7. Angelina Adams, Counselor – Career Services, Haskell Indian Nations University
8. Dr. Darryl Ann Lai Fang, Assistant Vice President of Transformation Support, Institute for Capacity Building, United Negro College Fund
9. Dr. Eric O’Rear, Senior Research Analyst, Rhodium Group
10. C. Gail Bassette, Director of Economic Development/Strategic Engagement, Bowie State University
11. Phil Weilerstein, President and CEO, VentureWell
12. Dr. Jerryl Briggs, President, Mississippi Valley State University
13. Dr. Lena T. Rodriguez, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
14. Dr. Mark Brown, President and CEO, Tuskegee University
15. Dr. Melva Wallace, President and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University
16. Michael Johnson, Chief of Staff, PROPEL Center
17. Dr. Mike Hoa Nguyen, Member, Board of Directors, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education & Assistant Professor of Education, New York University
18. Ray Shackelford, Vice President for Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
19. Dr. Sharon Jones, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, University of Washington – Bothell
20. Dr. Vann Newkirk, President, Wilberforce University

Details: For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/EPA-HBCU-and-MSI

or reach out at HBCU-MSI.AC@epa.gov.