The Environmental Careers Organization

179 South Street

Boston, MA 02111

FIRST CLASS 

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID 

RANDOLPH, MA

PERMIT NO. 35

Printed on recycled paper

I learned about a new field during my ECO internship

by Curtis Durham, EPA Fellow 2001-2002

My ECO internship experience was great! I

interned with the USEPA Region II in Edison,

NJ under the leadership of James Ferretti. I

was able to utilize my science knowledge in a

field that I have not experienced before.

During my internship, I was also trained to

use state-of-the art laboratory equipment.

There were many standard procedures that I

had to learn in order to maintain quality

control during testing. I can truly say that I now

have a greater appreciation for the environment

and the scientists and technicians that

perform the tedious tests to keep it clean for

generations to come.
In this issue

What advice does ECO alum &

EPA Fellow David Forsh have

for the Fellows who will be

interning in 2002?

Associate Cynthia Behel and

her project advisor speak out

about ECO. 

Discover who won the Fellow’s

newsletter naming contest!

Find out why Fellows program

alum Curry Jones is an

invaluable asset to new fellows.

“Actively and persistently use the networks

that you develop over

the summer to seek

full-time employment

opportunities.”

-Curry Jones, Region 4, on

what advice he would like

to share with Associates

In 1982, the Environmental Protection

Agency’s (EPA’s) National Center for

Environmental Research (NCER) (formerly

known as the Office of Exploratory

Research (OER)) created the EPA Minority

Academic Institutions Undergraduate

Student Fellowships program. The goal of

the program is to assist Minority Academic

Institutions in providing high quality

education and professional training

opportunities to students interested in

pursing environmental careers. The fellowship

program provides up $15,200 per year of

support. This amount covers a $2,700

9-month stipend, $2,500 for authorized

expenses, and up to $10,000 for tuition

and fees. Applicants must be citizens of the

United States or its territories or possessions,

or be lawfully admitted to the United

States for permanent residence. They must

also attend a fully accredited four-year

U.S. Minority Academic Institution and

have at least a ‘B’ average overall. 

The fellows also participate in a 12 week

long Summer Internship Program between

the first and second years of the program.

The internship offers them the opportunity

to work at an EPA research laboratory or

another EPA facility to enhance their

undergraduate educational experience and

to gain valuable professional training. All

Fellows receive a start up allowance, a

relocation allowance, and a stipend of

$6000 to complete the internship project.

The internship program is administered by

the Environmental Careers Organization

(ECO). ECO is a 30 year old national,

non-profit agency dedicated to the

leadership training and development of

environmental professionals.

The E P A Minority Academic Institutions

Undergraduate Student Fellowships (MAIUSF)

program provides high-quality educational and

professional training opportunities to participants

To learn more about the EPA MAIUSF program, visit

http://es.epa.gov/ncer or contact Georgette Boddie 

at boddie.georgette@epa.gov or call (202) 564-6926. 

To learn more about ECO or the EPA Fellows Summer Intern 

Program, visit http://www.eco.org or contact Keri Salzillo at

ksalzillo@eco.org or call (617) 426-4783 X155.



A group of 2000-2001 EPA Fellows gathered in

Washington, DC for ECO’s annual career day event
Keep an open mind about the internship because there are many things

that you will be exposed to! I went into my internship not sure what to

expect. Since I am a biology major, I kept in mind that I would eventually go

to graduate school. But now, since my internship was so interesting, I can see

myself doing some of the same things that I was doing over the summer.

Another important internship consideration is to decide which geographic

location you prefer. Your internship should both strengthen your technical

skills and provide opportunities to have fun. 

Things to consider when selecting an internship

by David Forsh, EPA Fellow 2000-01 

Perspectives: An EPA Fellow and her project advisor

on their ECO experience 

My internship afforded me the opportunity to gain

first-hand knowledge about a variety of environmental

fields. I was able to both participate in inspections and

learn the legal aspects of EPA enforcement work by

writing Compliance Evaluation Reports and sitting in

on meetings with EPA attorneys. The ability to work

directly with the business community as an

enforcement officer, and to observe other

environmental professionals at their jobs is a great

benefit of an ECO internship, which you cannot

duplicate in a classroom.

The experience has been invaluable to my future. I am

better prepared for a job in the private sector after

gaining exposure to a wide variety of businesses and

learning to implement practical skills. My internship at

ECO has made me more marketable. I would definitely

recommend this intern program to other students.

Cynthia worked side by

side with enforcement

officers and her activities

helped us in the devel -

opment of inspection

reports that identified

the violations, the

calculations of penalties

and the development of

enforcement cases. She

is a quick learner

interested in new

concepts and initiatives,

and I certainly consider

her an asset to any

employer.

It is important to me that candidates of Cynthia’s

caliber continue to participate in the MAIUSF program.

The students I have worked with have been interested

in the environment as public servants, with an interest in making a difference. As a Project Advisor I look

for candidates who are highly motivated, self-starters

and very professional.

My experience with ECO has been very positive. As

mentors, the internship allows us to share our knowledge

and open a dialogue to explore the ideas and

concerns with students who will become the next

generation of environmental professionals.

“My internship at ECO has

made me more marketable. I

would definitely recommend

this intern program to other

students ’’.

Cynthia Behel, EPA Fellow 2000-2001 &

Summer Intern for the Clean Water Act

Enforcement Section in Atlanta, GA

Arthur Collins, Project Advisor & Chief of the

Clean Water Act Enforcement Section in

Atlanta, GA
Maria Berrios-Rolon Chemical Engineering University of Puerto Rico

Camelia Cooper Biology Norfolk State U, Virginia

Lymari Aponte Chemical Engineering University of Puerto Rico

Golar Newby Computer Science Elizabeth City State U, New Jersey

Brandon Peebles Marine & Environmental Sci Hampton University, Virginia

Hildred Rochon Public Health Dillard University, Louisiana

Irma Lee Vazquez Biology University of Puerto Rico

Dodie Arnold Biology Xavier University, Louisiana

Aja Charity Math, Computer, Environmental Sci Virginia Union University, Virginia

Cara Monroe Biochemistry Oakwood College, Alabama

Ikechukwu Obih Biology Xavier University, Louisiana

Ogechi Onyewu Mathematics/Engineering Bowie State U/U Maryland 

Leonard Pace Marine & Environmental Sci Hampton University, Virginia

Jessica Ruperto Microbiology University of Puerto Rico

Chenille Holloman Biology Norfolk State U, Virginia

2001-2002 MAIUSF Recipients

Fellow Major College/University

In the summer of 1994, Curry Jones, a

rising senior at the Wiley College

in Marshall Texas, was introduced to the

Environmental Careers Organization

(ECO) through his participation in the

EPA Minority Academic Institutions

Undergraduate Student Fellowships

program (MAIUSF). Through ECO, Curry

completed his required twelve-week

internship at the Office of Water in

Seattle, Washington. In 1995, that same

office extended Curry a full-time position

through the EPA Outstanding Scholar

program. 

Curry accepted the position and

immediately proved to be a valuable EPA

employee. In addition to his regular

duties, Curry voluntarily assumed the role

of a valuable resource, mentor and

advocate for the new EPA MAIUSF

program participants in his office. Over

the past six years, Curry has helped the

fellows in many ways: he has assisted with

housing searches and the relocation

process; helped interested fellows develop

individual project management plans;

and offered continuous advice and

support. The assistance that Curry has

given to the many students in the Seattle

office over the years has been invaluable to

both the students and the program. 

This past year, Curry relocated to Office

of Water in Atlanta, Georgia where he

continues to provide a high level of

support to the EPA fellows in the Atlanta

area. Though Curry is sorely missed in

Seattle, there is no doubt that the Atlanta

area fellows are thrilled with his arrival.

Alumni Curry Jones helps new Fellows maximize the

internship experience 



This year, EPA/ECO decided to highlight the EPA Minority Academic Institutions Undergraduate Student Fellowships program. To name the

newsletter, ECO hosted a contest among EPA fellows. In total, there were 55 entries. The winning name was submitted by Hazel Ogugua, an

intern at the EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory of the Human Exposure Analysis Branch at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. 

Hazel Ogugua, EPA Fellow 2001-2002, wins newsletter naming contest