The Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program (MLEIP) Advisory Board
The Mickey Leland Advisory Board promotes the mission and objectives of the internship program by guiding, mentoring, and supporting the success of college students who apply for and are selected to participate in paid full-time summer internships via the MLEIP.
About the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board for the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program consists of individuals from the private sector, public sector, and higher education whose involvement and support create opportunities to enhance workforce diversity in environmental related professional careers. To assist with growing the internship program, the MLEIP Advisory Board formed a 501(c)(3) in 2018.
Purpose of the Advisory Board
The specific objectives and purpose of this advisory board are (1) commitment to heighten the awareness and encourage the participation of minorities, women, and economically disadvantaged college/university students regarding environmental-related issues and policies; and (2) to develop a diversified work force within Texas’ environmental agencies and private corporations through paid internships for students exploring professional opportunities in the environmental fields; and (3) to train and equip students for future careers as environmental professionals; and (4) to increase participation of interns in non-government entities.
The duties and responsibilities of board members include:
- Active participation in advisory board meetings
- Contribute to discussions related to internship program services
- Serve on ad hoc committee when needed
- Positively enhance the quality and quantity of the MLEIP by
- sponsoring intern(s) based on available funding
- providing resource materials for interns and sponsors, as appropriate
- arranging for student interns to tour their respective organization/ facility
- Support college student recruitment and selection as MLEIP interns
- Promote MLEIP to prospective external intern sponsors
- Participate in planning and executing annual intern conference
- Attend the annual conference to network with sponsors and interns
- Serve as positive role models for future leaders who are launching their careers via the MLEIP
List of Advisory Board Members
- Alison Leland, J.D., MLEIP Advisory Board Vice President
Director, The Honors College
University of Houston - Benjamin Rhem, MLEIP Advisory Board Treasurer
Partner, Austin
Jackson Walker, L.L.P. - Brandi N. Harrison Trotter, MLEIP Advisory Board Secretary
Business Development Supervisor
North Central Texas Council of Governments - Darrell McCant, MPH, DABT
Senior Toxicologist
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Deb Mamula
Sr. Policy Advisor- Natural Resources
Office of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
State Capitol - Diana Rader, P.G., MLEIP Advisory Board President
Principal
Braun Intertec - Jerrell Cooper
Senior Field Environmental Specialist
Oncor Electric Delivery - Juanita Baldwin, SHRM-CP, PHR
MLEIP Education & Outreach Coordinator, External Relations Division
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - L’Oreal Stepney, P.E.
Board Member
Texas Water Development Board - Maria Moon, MSHR
HR Director, College/Intern Program/D&I
TRC Companies - Melvin G. Wrenn
LCM Capital Markets Group (Adapt Companies) - Nina Alexander
Environmental Manager
Pedernales Electric Cooperative - Ray Averitt, MLEIP Advisory Board Past President
Senior Director-Environment
Oncor Electric Delivery - Sam Whitehead, Ph.D.
Chair, Dept. of Environmental Science & Conservation
Concordia University Texas
Honorary Member
- The Honorable Rodney Ellis
Commissioner, Harris County, Precinct One