EMPOWER’s new trainees are current MS and PhD students in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. On Feb. 3, the trainees, along with participating faculty, met to officially kick-off the program. After an interesting game of “People Bingo,” the trainees brainstormed ideas for possible communications and professional development workshops. Trainees also had the opportunity to share what they hoped to gain from participation in the program and any concerns that they may have. Many interesting and helpful ideas were shared that will help faculty and staff plan for the upcoming semester.

EMPOWER will be hosting a welcome event to kick-off the new program! The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 4:30-6:00 in the Hillyer Room in Bird Library. The meeting will give the new trainees the opportunity to meet each other, discuss the program, and develop some plans for the upcoming semester. Participating faculty and new trainees are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

The Central New York Association of Professional Geologists recently announced that Earth Sciences graduate student and EMPOWER trainee, Emily Baker, is the recipient of their Student Scholarship award. She will be recognized at their February meeting. For more information about the CNYAPG and the scholarship, please visit the association website.

There is still time to submit your application for participation in the EMPOWER program! Review of applications is ongoing throughout the spring semester.

More information is found here.

We are currently accepting applications for current and prospective Syracuse University graduate students. Students interested in pursuing graduate study and professional training within the “water-energy” nexus are encouraged to apply.

Application instructions are found here.If you have any questions, please contact Deanna McCay: dhmccay@syr.edu.

Review of applications from current graduate students will start Dec. 1.

We are offering two information sessions where students can learn more about the program. If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program at Syracuse University and are interested in research and professional training within the “water-energy” nexus you are welcome to attend.

• Monday, Nov. 9 at 4 pm in Heroy Geology Lab 115
• Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 12:30 pm in Link Hall 151A

Snacks will be provided!

Dr. Cliff Voss, the 2015 Geological Society of America’s Birdsall-Dreiss Lecturer, visited Syracuse University on October 21. Dr. Voss is a senior scientist with the National Research Program of the U.S. Geological Survey and an internationally recognized expert in groundwater modeling.

During his time on campus, Dr. Voss met with Earth Sciences and Engineering faculty and graduate students. His visit culminated with his presentation entitled “Informing Management of the World’s Largest Groundwater Systems with Simply-Structured Model Analysis.” In his seminar, Voss reviewed the typical difficulties in characterizing aquifer systems and argued that simply-structured models are the most effective means of dealing with inevitable uncertainties. Using examples from Bangladesh and the Nubian aquifer in North Africa, Voss showed how simple models can answer water-management challenges in large aquifer systems.

The External Advisory Committee (EAC) consists of professionals in energy, advocacy, government research, environmental consulting, and STEM education. The EAC visited Syracuse University on September 21-23. During their visit, the EMPOWER faculty and the EAC discussed the design of the program and refined the plans for implementation of the traineeship elements. The EAC also participated in a graduate student-led panel discussion on career pathways in science and engineering. This meeting signified the official start of the EMPOWER program. Click here for the full story.