The AIH Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) Committee has landed on an exciting priority initiative: the DEI Scholarship Fund. Since beginning its work early in 2022, the DEI Committee has developed several initiatives to further its goal of extending educational and professional opportunities to those not commonly represented in hydrology-related fields. These initiatives include:
- An International Mentorship Program
- Minority Serving Institutions Outreach
- An AIH Speakers Bureau
- A Hydrology Job and Career Portal
Approved by the AIH Board of Directors at the May 23rd Meeting, the DEI Scholarship Fund will make funding available to selected individuals for hydrology-related training or education. As part of its action, the Board approved seed money for the Fund from revenue collected by the AIH Career Center, an on-line AIH service for advertising job opportunities. It is anticipated that additional revenue for the Fund will come from voluntary AIH membership contributions and corporate sponsors.
There is much to be done!
The DEI committee invites your participation in committee activities including development of the Scholarship Fund and the other DEI initiatives. With the Scholarship Fund being approved by the AIH Board of Directors, it’s time for the DEI Committee to get busy developing the details of implementation including program criteria and management, recipient selection, funding sources, and program outreach. The goal of the DEI Committee is to start awarding funds in 2026.
To join the AIH DEI Committee, or for additional information on the Scholarship Fund and other DEI Committee initiatives, contact Committee Co-Chairs Matt Naftaly at mnaftaly@Dudek.com or 805.308.8529 or John Ramirez at jramirez@cee.msstate.edu or 662.325.9885.
Help support this fund and the future of a student by making a donation. Donations are not tax-deductible.