Staff Report
UNM's Water Resource Program will begin implementing a new program designed to increase enrollment of traditionally underrepresented ethnic groups such as Hispanics and American Indians.
The program will tailor its recruiting efforts through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Professionals in water resources, particularly in underrepresented groups, are hard to find in the profession," Michele Minnis, adjunct associate professor in water resources, said in a UNM Public Affairs press release. "We wanted to open the profession up to a group that is not well represented in the field in relation to its population."
The University is in a good position to impelment the new program because it has a master's program in water resources and also has a large population of Hispanics and American Indians, Jose Rivera, special assistant to the vice provost for research, said in a press release.
Recruitment efforts made by UNM will include participation by college career counselors in water-related fields at UNM events, recruitment packets and a portable display to be used at career fairs.
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Recruitment efforts will focus on colleges and universities in the southwest including the University of Arizona, Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. and at New Mexico State University.
In addition to recruiting, financial aid, supervised professional internships and travel funds for the Water Resources Program summer capstone field course will also be available to draw minority students to the program.
