From research to community, EnvironMentors program continues to grow

Although Penn State’s EnvironMentors chapter is relatively new, it has grown quickly.

Jenkins Environmentors 2020

Gregory Jenkins, left, speaks with Kristin Sznajder, undergraduate mentor Mary Ajibolade, and high school student Xuan Pham, early in the spring 2020 semester. IMAGE: ENVIRONMENTORS / PENN STATE

Kevin Sliman, June 19, 2020

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Although Penn State’s EnvironMentors chapter is relatively new, it has grown quickly and has made numerous positive impacts. EnvironMentors is a national science education and college access program created by the National Council for Science and the Environment. It connects underrepresented high school students with undergraduate students and faculty at local universities in an effort to create mentorships and expose the high school students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through environmental research.

Gregory Jenkins, a professor of meteorology in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, is the director of the EnvironMentors chapter at Penn State, which is one of eight chapters in the U.S. He said the program not only exposes students to STEM, but it also creates a strong community for all involved.