public health challenges in underserved rural communities of Central Appalachia. Their research investigates harmful chemical con- taminants, including disinfection byproducts, and the resilience of water infrastructure to extreme weather such as hurricanes. By col- laborating with local utilities and partners, the team identifies barriers to eective water man- agement and implements sustainable solutions to mitigate health risks. This work not only advances scientific understanding but also delivers practical improvements in water safety and resilience for vulnerable populations. Western Carolina University’s Environ- mental Health Program delivers measurable impact on water quality through community- engaged service learning and applied research. Students develop water quality monitoring reports that inform local health departments, collaborate with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on water education, and participate in events like the Tuck River Cleanup. These eorts provide students with practical work- force experience and deliver lasting benefits to communities across Western North Carolina, reinforcing the vital, often unseen role of envi- ronmental health professionals in ensuring clean, safe water for all. Worker Health and Safety Protecting worker health and safety is a core mission of environmental health. The next sto- ries illustrate how academic–community part- nerships and applied research prepare gradu- ates to address evolving occupational risks. Colorado State University’s Environmen- tal Public Health bachelor’s degree program prepares students to address crucial worker health and safety challenges through inter- disciplinary research and hands-on expe- rience. Students engage in projects inves- tigating pathogen and particle exposures, respiratory disease, and kidney injury among agricultural workers, as well as developing city-wide health and safety management systems in partnership with local munici- palities. Experiential learning opportunities, including internships with hazardous waste programs and in-class projects focused on safer environments for workers, ensure that graduates are equipped with the breadth and depth needed to confidently and competently solve real-world occupational health issues. Alumni are prepared for impactful careers in health agencies, private industry, and beyond,
advancing the protection of worker health and safety across diverse settings. Western Kentucky University’s Environ- mental and Occupational Health Science (EOHS) Programs, in partnership with the Center for Environmental and Workplace Health, address crucial occupational and environmental health risks in Kentucky and beyond. Responding to hazards ranging from hazardous materials transport and stormwater management to chemical and infectious agent exposures among firefighters, the programs integrate research into teaching, ensuring stu- dents are actively involved in every stage of project design and implementation. Collabor- ative studies have uncovered resource dispari- ties and health risks—especially for volunteer firefighters—prompting targeted interventions such as enhanced personal protective equip- ment (PPE) decontamination protocols, train- ing, and support for fire departments. Faculty and students routinely present their findings to state ocials, and their recommendations are now being used by public health units across the Commonwealth. Internationally, the EOHS team has assessed blood lead levels among workers and established trauma regis- tries to improve trauma care in Zanzibar, Tan- zania. Through close collaboration with com- munity partners and a strong focus on applied research, Western Kentucky University’s pro- grams promote comprehensive strategies for worker well-being and prepare graduates to meet the complex challenges of environmen- tal and occupational health.
gram’s interdisciplinary and practice-oriented curriculum is built around environmental toxicology, chemistry, microbiology, and risk assessment, and is enriched by strong engage- ment in internships, field experiences, and partnerships with agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Baylor’s direct involve- ment in national workforce initiatives—such as the UNCOVER EH (Understanding the Needs, Challenges, Opportunities, Vision, and Emerging Roles in Environmental Health) project, which assesses and advances the envi- ronmental health workforce—ensures that its students are at the forefront of workforce development. By routinely partnering with communities at home and abroad, the pro- gram provides meaningful health outcomes and “positive returns on investments” for communities, while ensuring that its gradu- ates are exceptionally well-aligned with evolv- ing workforce needs. Since its inception in 1973, the Environ- mental Health Sciences and Sustainability Program at Eastern Kentucky University has prepared students in the environmen- tal health and occupational safety option for impactful careers nationwide. Alumni contribute at every level—working in pub- lic health agencies, safeguarding workers in diverse settings, conducting research, and pursuing advanced degrees in environmen- tal health, medicine, and veterinary science. Many have advanced into leadership roles, including CDR Anna Khan, immediate past- president of the National Environmental Health Association and a proud graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Environmental health is woven into every aspect of daily life, and students and alumni are the professionals behind the scenes making communities safer and healthier. Their collective eorts are the threads holding together the fabric of public health in communities across the country. As they leave the university with the words, “Go forth and do great things,” their ongoing achievements continue to shape the field. For nearly 40 years, the Environmental Health Science Program at California State University at San Bernardino has trained and empowered local students to serve and lead in environmen- tal public health. The program’s strong curricu- lum, hands-on training, and impactful research have produced a workforce serving in key roles across Southern California, including air pollu- tion monitoring, water treatment, vector con-
Workforce Development
At the heart of all these eorts is the develop- ment of a skilled, adaptable workforce. The following stories showcase how accredited programs are preparing the next generation of environmental health leaders. Baylor University’s Environmental Health Science Program prepares graduates for “regional, national, and global leadership and service within a caring community.” The pro-
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September 2025 • Journal of Environmental Health
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