PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 25, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz visited Virginia State University on Jan. 24 to meet with VSU President Makola Abdullah to discuss EPA's current partnership with VSU and begin talks for renewing the five-year agreement later this year.  

The meeting focused on the collaboration efforts between EPA, VSU, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, expanding student participation in programs and increasing student exposure to environmental science career fields.  

“Continuing to invest in our relationship with VSU is paramount to the success of this program and a sustainable environment,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “By aligning EPA’s efforts with VSU and building a stronger partnership, our organizations will continue to contribute to brighter futures for the students and their communities.”  

During the meeting, Ortiz expressed EPA’s commitment to supporting VSU's educational initiatives and creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration, technical assistance and professional growth. He also expressed a desire to re-focus efforts, bring more faculty and students into the program, and continue adding partners for a greater impact on students. 

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative partnership with EPA, which exemplifies Virginia State University's commitment to environmental stewardship,” said VSU President Makola Abdullah. “This collaboration reflects our dedication to addressing pressing environmental challenges and offering our students additional research and learning opportunities that prepare them to become leaders in positive change." 

The five-year agreement for the partnership, formally known as Linking Environmental and Academic Programs (LEAP), was signed in 2019 to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development and stewardship in environmental sciences. It is set to expire in May. 

Some of this collaboration's successes include VSU hosting Chesapeake Bay Program events and conducting a sustainability tools workshop series, EPA participation at VSU career fairs, and VSU's involvement in the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region's first HBCU Symposium.  

VSU is one of eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a LEAP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region. The LEAP MOUs help strengthen capacity for minority academic institutions and reflect EPA’s strong commitment towards HBCUs.  

Visit the EPA website to learn more about its work in Virginia and partnerships throughout the region.