Alcorn State University has been awarded a grant through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) to launch the interdisciplinary Gulf Scholars Program (GSP).
The initiative prepares undergraduate students to address pressing sustainability challenges in the Gulf Coast region.
The NAS Gulf Research Program announced the addition of Alcorn State to the five-year, $12.7 million pilot program on Nov. 13.
Alcorn State joins a network of GSP universities across Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama.
The program cultivates students to enact climate change solutions by thinking about sustainability at both microcosmic and macrocosmic levels.
“As the director of the Gulf Scholars Program, my role is to collaborate with my interdisciplinary team to educate and empower our community of students, faculty, and staff regarding the importance of sustainability, from a regional and global perspective,” said Dr. Heather Bailey, associate professor of English in the Department of English, Languages, and Mass Communication.
Bailey serves as the program director.
“We believe that every member of our Alcorn community is capable of enacting positive changes on campus and in their local communities,” said Bailey. “We also believe that climate change education and research are stronger when they involve cross-collaboration between faculty and students from STEM, Business, Education, Social Sciences, Global Programs, and the Humanities.”
The program will recruit a cohort of 10 freshmen and sophomore students annually from across disciplines.
Students will complete a minor in Sustainability Studies, conduct applied research, and receive mentorship.
Participants will receive stipends and funding to travel and present research regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The program includes a subaward to the University of the West Indies to educate students on sustainability from a global perspective.
Dr. Melissa Mason, associate professor of animal science, will serve as co-director.
The steering committee includes Dr. Tabitha Smith, interim chair of the Department of Education; Dr. LaTuesday Guy, director of undergraduate business education; Ms. Manola Erby, assistant director of the Agricultural Extension Program; and Dr. Precious Cooper, assistant professor of chemistry.
Additional committee members are Dr. C.J. Rhodes, director of the Hiram Rhodes Revels Institute for Ethical Leadership; Dr. Byron Johnson, director of Global Programs; Dr. Valtreasa Tolliver-Cook, chair of the Department of Social Work; and Dr. Donna Hope, professor of culture, gender, and society at the University of the West Indies.
The National Academies provide independent analysis and advice to inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine.
