Environmental Science and Sustainability

TExAS FAST scholars participate in career-building and nature activities

For more than two weeks this summer, students in OLLU’s Environmental Science and Sustainability program were immersed in career-building activities thanks to an ongoing grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The $5 million grant, received last summer, funds the university’s TExAS FAST (Texas Experiential Learning and Scholarship program for Food and Agricultural Science Training) Scholars Program.

The scholars were able to move into the residence halls early and explore new career pathways through hands-on events and networking opportunities. They participated in resume writing and interviewing workshops, set up LinkedIn profiles, and had professional headshots taken. In addition, USDA conservationists spoke to students about potential internships.

Scholars also had the opportunity to tour the San Antonio Office of Sustainability, meet with the leaders from San Antonio College’s Eco Centro, and visit the San Antonio River Authority’s water treatment facilities. Field trips were arranged for the students. They saw dinosaur tracks and hunted for fossilized ocean creatures on a tour of the Canyon Lake River Gorge. They learned what land stewardship can look like on a guided trip through Bamberger Ranch, where they also got to see an endangered species of African antelope and a cave home to 200,000 Mexican Freetail Bats. They visited the Witte Museum and also bird-watched, tasted edible flora, and swam in the river at Guadalupe River State Park.

The TExAS FAST Scholars spent some time giving back to the community, as well. They prepared the Garcia Street Urban Farm’s fields for fall planting and packaged over 18,000 meals with the San Antonio Food Bank.

In addition to an amazing summer career-building experience, the TExAS FAST Programs provides scholars with two years of free room and board on campus and a $1,000 monthly stipend for 24 months. For more information, visit the TExAS FAST web page and check out the program’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollu_texasfast/

OLLU receives $5 million grant for scholarships and research

OLLU received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) NextGEN program to help build the next generation of food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) workforce. The award was announced June 21 during a special ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

OLLU will use the $5 million, five-year grant to support “TExAS FAST: Texas Experiential Learning and Scholarship Program for Food and Agriculture Science Training.” The program will begin in fall 2023.

Incoming OLLU freshmen majoring or minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability will have the opportunity to apply for academic scholarships of $5,000 per year, and room and board scholarships of $8,619. In addition, they will take part in the new Environmental Science and Sustainability Living Learning Community, summer research projects, and will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 for 24 months and a paid internship ($4,000) during their senior year.

“I am beyond thrilled to have been awarded this grant,” said Briana Salas, PhD, OLLU Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Project Director. “When I created the Environmental Science and Sustainability program in 2021, I did so in response to student interests in human impacts on the environment and a desire for additional options for STEM degrees. The program has been successful in the last two years, but this opportunity will completely transform the student experience.”

Adam Bynum, OLLU Instructor of Biology, will serve as co-Project Director.

In addition to student scholarships, the grant will fund professional development activities for faculty to revise STEM classes in a CURE format (Classroom based Undergraduate Research Experiences). The CURE format allows students who otherwise might not have the chance to experience “real” research to get those experiences in the classroom setting.

Housing scholarship available for ESS student

A housing scholarship is available for an Environmental Science and Sustainability student to serve as a Living Learning Community (LLC) Program Assistant.

The scholarship, valued at $8,619, covers room and board in Flores Hall with a Meal Plan B for the fall and spring semesters. Only juniors or seniors are eligible for the position.

The LLC Program Assistant will have a range of responsibilities, including to help plan and coordinate move-in activities and post on the LLC social media pages two to three times a week.

For a full list of requirements and description of responsibilities, see the flyer below.

To apply, email a copy of your resume/cv and a 200-250 word statement discussing ideas for how you would create a sense of community in the LLC to Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr. Briana Salas at bhsalas@ollusa.edu

Priority deadline for applications is June 30.