Implementing Climate Studies Course at a Diverse 2 Year College

Lee College is an Hispanic Serving Institution in Baytown, Texas. The 2 year college serves a student body of more than 6000 students. More than 30% of students are of Hispanic ethnicity, and about 20% of students are African American. In Spring, 2014, a new climate studies course will be offered by geology faculty. The faculty member implementing the course attended the AMS Climate Studies Diversity Project Workshop held in May, 2013. During Fall 2013 semester, faculty will seek approval for the new course, which will be offered as Geol 1447 Introduction to Meteorology. Also, the course will be submitted for approval as a Natural Science course in the general education program at Lee College. In order to attract students to the new course, faculty have met with counselors who do student advising, and will advertise the course on campus. The course will add to current offerings in Geology and Environmental Science at Lee College, and increase awareness of climate change issues and Geoscience careers among a diverse student population.