Kyu Young Lee, Ph.D.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Jan. 12, 2024) – Prairie View A&M University is on the verge of an exciting transformation as it joins the esteemed National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Scholars Program. This move marks the beginning of a journey that promises to shape the future of the Gulf of Mexico Region, focusing on the preservation and prosperity of this vital ecosystem.
“PVAMU’s GSP offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the critical challenges facing the Gulf Region, recognizing the intricate connections between socio-politico-economic factors, energy systems, and environmental degradation,” said Sarah Conrad, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, and Kyu Young Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science.
The GSP, a dynamic $12.7-million initiative, was unveiled in 2021 with a broad vision to enhance the overall well-being of the Gulf region. It requires essential learning objectives students must achieve to tackle these challenges, allocates funding to participating schools, and fosters the establishment of a network spanning the entire region, connecting GSP schools and students who share the vision for a safer, more resilient and sustainable Gulf of Mexico.
Sarah Conrad, Ph.D.
“This [initiative] will create a comprehensive training program for undergraduate students, centered around a minor in Texas Gulf Sustainability, based on a holistic, interdisciplinary, and pragmatic framework, called the ‘ecological citizenship,’” said Drs. Conrad and Lee of the Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences.
PVAMU on the Front Line
PVAMU’s GSP will engage students in “place-centered learning,” encouraging them to explore their own families’ and communities’ environmental histories and traditions. This approach will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues, ultimately advancing equitable sustainability.
“This will empower students to become change agents in the Gulf Region, fostering a sense of unity and passion for justice and equality,” the professors said.
The participation of PVAMU in the GSP will further solidify the University’s role as a hub for sustainability, environmental justice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“GSP is particularly well-suited to PVAMU’s unique history as an 1890 Land-Grant University with a diverse student body, including a high proportion of first-generation students from underrepresented communities,” said Drs. Conrad and Lee. “The grant aligns with the institution’s historical roots and its commitment to researching and finding solutions for issues that disproportionately impact communities of color, making it a valuable asset for both the university and the broader community.”
PVAMU’s involvement in the GSP underscores the institution’s unwavering dedication to addressing the Gulf Region’s most critical challenges. As PVAMU embarks on this inspiring journey, its students and faculty are poised to become instrumental in promoting environmental sustainability, driving energy innovation, and strengthening community resilience, ultimately charting a brighter, healthier future for the Gulf of Mexico region.
The GSP Dream Team
Alongside PVAMU, members of the third cohort to join the GSP include Texas A&M University, Auburn University, Mississippi State University, and the University of Florida. Rice University is one of 18 schools in the GSP. Other HBCUs in the program include Jackson State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Florida A&M University.
“These excellent institutions are important additions as we continue to grow the Gulf Scholars Program,” said Karena Mothershed, senior program manager of the National Academies Gulf Research Program’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. “The future of the Gulf region will be shaped by the vision, creativity, and passion of the next generation of leaders, and this program is designed to provide them with the tools and inspiration to make it an even better place to live, work, and thrive.”
Established in 2013 following legal resolutions related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies is an independent, science-driven initiative. It is dedicated to advancing offshore energy system safety and safeguarding human health and the environment. With a substantial budget of $500 million allocated over 30 years, the program supports grants, fellowships, and various activities in research and development, education and training, and monitoring and synthesis.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to delivering impartial, expert analysis and guidance to the nation. Their primary objective is to address intricate challenges and offer insights that inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. Operating under a congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences signed by President Lincoln in 1863, these institutions have a long-standing history of providing valuable contributions to the country.
By Kerry Laird
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