- The FAMU School of the Environment welcomed 26 incoming scholars with white coats into their Nexus Scholars-in Residence Program marking the start of their research and academic journeys.
- 21 graduating seniors received green blazers recognizing their academic achievements, research and professional development.
- Community-focused research remains central to the School of the Environment, which reported a 32% enrollment increase compared with previous semesters.
The FAMU School of the Environment welcomed new 26 Nexus Scholars and celebrated 21 graduating seniors during its White Coat and Greening Ceremony recently at the Frederick Humphries Science Research Center. Larry Robinson, the 12th president of FAMU, and founding dean of the School of Environment, was the speaker at ceremony.
Incoming students received white coats marking the start of their academic and research experiences, while graduating seniors received green blazers recognizing their accomplishments.
Launched in 2018, the Nexus Scholars-in-Residence Program connects undergraduates with faculty mentors and hands-on research addressing challenges in climate, energy, food systems and public health.
“Since its launch in 2018, the Nexus Scholars-in-Residence Program has served as a cornerstone of this effort by providing undergraduate students with immersive research experiences, individualized faculty mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge technologies,” said Victor M. Ibeanusi, dean of the School of the Environment.
“It’s really full circle coming back and seeing how far we’ve come from getting our white coats,” said Engel, a fourth-year environmental science student from Milwaukee. “It’s really cool to be able to share all of our experiences and research we’ve done.”
Engel completed internships with the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a Wisconsin farm. The experiences sparked her interest in food sustainability, which she plans to pursue in graduate school.
Maya Shenefelt, a fourth-year environmental studies student from Jackson, Mississippi, said her involvement in the program strengthened her confidence and professional network. As president of GenCLEO FAMU, the campus chapter of the climate education and advocacy nonprofit CLEO Institute, she gained hands-on environmental policy experience.
Shenefelt plans to practice environmental law for a nonprofit organization.
The school also prepares students for careers and advanced degrees across disciplines, said Joel Blount Jr., director of Student Success.
“Whether they’re going on to medical school or law school, or pursuing a master’s degree or a Ph.D., that’s what we’re preparing our students for,” Blount said.
“The school that I transferred from, there weren’t many opportunities, and there wasn’t a white coat ceremony, so I think this is honestly a new beginning for me, a fresh start,” Jones said.
Jones hopes to gain laboratory experience and pursue a career as a pollution analyst, focusing on climate change and pollution.
Incoming environmental science student Terrance Shields said hearing from graduating scholars eased some of the uncertainty about his future.
“When you see the people who have gone before you and are taking the steps of what’s ahead, it takes a little bit of weight off your shoulders when you’re not exactly sure what career path you’re going for,” Shields said.
Shields is interested in bioengineering and environmental policy.
“What makes us different from other environmental sciences schools is our impact on the communities that we serve,” Blount said. “Whether it’s oyster farmers, communities seeking help with water problems, farmers or rural communities that need help with mapping their land, we can help them.”
The school reported a 32% increase in enrollment compared with previous semesters. It is also expanding outreach to prospective students, including introducing local high school students to geospatial artificial intelligence through its mobile laboratory resources.