UC Merced’s Dr. Josh Viers Champions Equity-Focused Action at Higher Ed Listening Session | Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology, and Agriculture

By: Alli Sweigard, VISTA F3 Communications Coordinator

In the dynamic landscape of higher education’s fight against climate change, Dr. Joshua Viers, Director of VISTA at the University of California, Merced, unveiled initiatives during the Higher Ed Climate Action Task Force Listening Session on Nov. 2, 2023. This virtual gathering was an exploration into the pivotal role played by Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and community partnerships in the climate change battleground.

The session is available through a recording on YouTube, ensuring that the valuable insights and initiatives discussed can reach a broader audience interested in addressing climate change through education and community engagement. Listen here: Higher Ed Listening Session V – This Is Planet Ed [https://www.thisisplaneted.org/blog/higher-ed-listening-session-v] At the forefront of this environmental crusade, UC Merced, recognized as a Hispanic-serving institute (HSI), is carving a unique path to drive equity-focused climate action. The university has developed unique programs designed to serve the 65% who are first generation college students and 58.5% who are Pell Grant eligible. CITRIS through the NexTech Robotics and FLY drones’ education programs. When asked about the policies, practices, and academic programs that UC Merced has implemented to foster sustainability and inclusivity, Dr. Viers emphasized the significance of access. “First and foremost, access becomes important,” he said, “At UC Merced, given that most of our region is underserved and undereducated, how do we improve access to education?”

Dr. Viers elaborated on the importance of creating pathways for engaging young students, especially girls in STEM fields, emphasizing the need for tailored programs. One of UC Merced’s noteworthy initiatives are Human-Centered Research and Design and Engineering Service Learning, which is open to first through fifth-year students from any major. These programs focus on community projects, fostering a strong sense of civic responsibility among students and connecting the university with the local community.

Another highlight of Dr. Viers’ presentation was the UC Merced Experimental Smart Farm, spanning 40 acres. This unique project serves as an experimental hub for sustainable agriculture, allowing the university to engage the local community in environmental practices.

In line with their commitment to creating opportunities for all students, Dr. Viers discussed providing stipends and full employment to students who participate in various programs. These initiatives include developing mobile apps with a social purpose or creating innovative solutions for community issues. “I’m happy to say that my team in particular, we hire 15 to 20 students every year, to pursue the different programs,” Dr. Viers said, “For a lot of our students that are in financial need, being able to remove a barrier for them goes a long way.”

These programs offer a gateway to engage in meaningful projects and contribute to their community. Dr. Viers’ insights were part of a broader discussion that included distinguished speakers such as, Dr. Robert Bullard, professor of urban planning and environmental policy and founding director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University, Dr. Ruth Plenty Sweetgrass-She Kills, Food Sovereignty Director at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, and Anastasia Rodriguez, Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The panel was facilitated by Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education for Louisiana and Chancellor of the California State University system, Dr. Mildred García. The dialogue revolved around how institutions can leverage their unique positions to lead the transition towards a clean economy and a sustainable society.

“Our university president is very vocal about our sustainability measures and making sure that we’re meeting and we’re thinking about climate change and the effect of our footprint on campus,” said Rodriguez. “We’re trying to create internships and workforce opportunities for those students to be involved in those projects.”

This conversation highlighted the critical role of collaboration between educational institutions and their communities in promoting inclusive climate solutions. By addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on historically marginalized populations, these partnerships are making meaningful strides toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

Dr. Viers’ contributions demonstrate UC Merced’s commitment to driving equity-focused action on climate and its dedication to making a positive impact in both education and the community. As higher education institutions continue to pioneer innovative approaches to combat climate change, it is clear that access, engagement, and sustainability are key pillars in this critical endeavor.