Passaic Today

The Montclair State University Foundation has received a $1 million grant from the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Foundation. This two-year funding aims to enhance the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies' Green Teams internship program, which supports communities and aids undergraduate students in career development. As the program marks its 10th anniversary, the grant will help address environmental and climate challenges in New Jersey.

The Green Teams initiative offers students internships and opportunities in green jobs and graduate programs. Community partners host student teams who conduct sustainability research, analyze data, and provide recommendations to promote sustainable practices within organizations.

Since its inception, 420 students have completed over 350 projects benefiting 53 local communities, nonprofits, and companies worldwide in their sustainability efforts.

A key goal of the grant is to support New Jersey municipalities and nonprofits that lack resources for sustainability projects. These initiatives focus on environmental justice issues such as flooding, food security, and waste management. The funding will cover intern stipends, travel expenses for site visits, field trips, and advanced training by experts.

The grant will also fund technology advancements like Geographic Information System (GIS), drone technology (UAV), and virtual reality (VR/XR) to manage complex sustainability projects. Additionally, it will enhance intern training in professional communications and survey methods while strengthening partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and community colleges.

Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the PSEG Foundation and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility stated: “As the Green Teams program marks its 10th anniversary, we’re excited to support the next phase of its growth. This partnership with Montclair State University strengthens our shared commitment to sustainability while ensuring the benefits help reach New Jersey’s most underserved communities.”

In celebrating a decade of work, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies plans to highlight alumni achievements through events showcasing how Green Teams have impacted environmental efforts as well as personal growth among interns.

Amy Tuininga, Director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies said: “We are excited to build on the decade of impact we have had supporting communities and educating students through our partnership with the PSEG Foundation.”

The Green Teams internship program assembles diverse undergraduate teams from various academic majors who collaborate with subject-matter experts over ten weeks to develop solutions addressing critical issues like greenhouse gas emissions reduction or flood risk mitigation.

Supported by private philanthropic entities such as Constellation along with federal sources including NASA or USDA alongside NSF; this program continues making strides towards achieving global sustainable goals through innovation-driven education initiatives led by committed stakeholders working together towards common objectives aligned around creating positive change locally within wider contexts globally too!