New Faces at the Watershed Education Training Institute

Millersville University's Watershed Education Training Institute recently awarded sophomore Collin Brinser with its Environmental Justice Fellowship. The year-long fellowship aims to expand student involvement in watershed education and applied aspects of environmental management to preserve waterways.

The fellowship is typically awarded to an underrepresented student studying biology or chemistry with a focus on secondary education. Brinser applied for this fellowship due to his passion for science and the connections he formed through his coursework.

"I hope to help in making and perfecting the science curriculum for elementary and middle school levels," says Brinser. "After I graduate, I plan to teach biology at the high school level, and I hope that this fellowship opportunity allows me to help build relationships that will aid me in the future and develop vital skills."

Through the fellowship, Brinser aims to encourage others to become involved in environmental preservation and to better understand the community's impact on local watersheds.

"We only have one planet, and we need to take care of it," says Brinser. "The best way to do so is to get young thinkers involved and passionate about their environment."

To be considered for a WETi fellowship, students must be a science major with a minor in secondary education; part of an underrepresented community; a rising sophomore, junior or senior; have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate a passion for science and the environment.

In addition to welcoming a new fellow, WETi has named Dr. Justin Mando, associate professor and chair of the Department of English and world languages, as codirector.

Mando specializes in writing studies, especially in environmental advocacy writing. His research investigates public involvement in environmental controversies and the role that rhetoric plays in shaping relationships within our natural world and our human communities. Within his Millersville writing courses, Mando incorporates sustainability issues in composition prompts to encourage students to make an impact through their writing.

Mando has also served his community as a board member of environmental organizations, currently Bay Journal Media, publisher of Chesapeake Bay Journal. He is soon completing six years on the board of Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, where he served as chair for three years.

For more information on the Millersville University Watershed Training Institute, visit MU WETi.