The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commitment to Developing Minority Meteorologists and Atmospheric Scientists

Jackson State University (JSU) is the only Historically Black College and University that offers an undergraduate degree in Meteorology. Some thirty years ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was selected by the professional atmospheric science community to assist and sponsor JSU with the development of a Meteorology Program. NOAA has constantly nurtured the JSU Meteorology Program in the convening years by providing both personnel and specific programs for faculty, staff and student development and professional growth through continuing agreement and/or direct contribution. Currently, the local National Weather Service Forecast Office (NWSFO) provides two part-time instructors to the Meteorology Program. Through the NOAA Grant, Increasing Diversity in Atmospheric Science through Research, Application, and in Partnership with the NWS (IDAS-RAP)” four JSU meteorology students are also provided opportunities for meteorological training, professional weather skills preparation, operational forecast experiences and/or climatic research at the local NWSFO during the year. In addition, NOAA's “Diversity Summer Research Program” provides other research opportunities or training/operational experiences for our students at various NOAA/NWS locations around the nation each summer. The summary and breadth of JSU meteorology student involvement in NOAA/NWS operational and research activities demonstrates the commitment of NOAA to increasing the number of minority professionals in meteorology and atmospheric science.