Explore Vietnam’s environmental systems through winter study abroad

 Travel from the industrial zones of Ho Chi Minh City to the farms of the Mekong Delta and the coral reefs of Côn Đảo National Park during Factory to Farm to Reef: An Environmental Journey Through Vietnam, Dec. 13–23, 2026.

This immersive NIU Study Abroad program will explore how industrialization, agriculture, water resources and coastal ecosystems are connected. Students will collect water-quality data, learn from Vietnamese researchers and community members, and examine the lasting environmental effects of war and rapid economic development.

Program experiences include:

• Visiting an active industrial park to learn about environmental management, wastewater systems and regulatory compliance

• Following the production of Vietnamese rubber from seedling to latex and waste management

• Visiting catfish farms, shrimp aquaculture operations and rice paddies in the Mekong Delta

• Speaking with farmers about how upstream water pollution affects their livelihoods

• Snorkeling the coral reefs of Côn Đảo National Park and studying coastal ecosystem management

• Exploring the War Remnants Museum, Agent Orange contamination sites and the historic Côn Đảo Prison complex

• Experiencing the culture, markets, museums and street life of Ho Chi Minh City

The program is led by Dr. Melissa Lenczewski of NIU’s Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and co-instructor Professor Bao-Son Trinh of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

Undergraduate and graduate students in Environmental Studies, Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Southeast Asian Studies and related fields are encouraged to apply. Participants will earn two credit hours through EAE or CSEAS.

Program dates: Dec. 13–23, 2026
Program cost: $4,230, plus international airfare and other personal expenses
Application deadline: Oct. 1, 2026

Financial aid may be used for study abroad. Students should contact the NIU Financial Aid Office to discuss their options.

Apply through the NIU Study Abroad portal and search for “Vietnam.” Questions may be directed to the NIU Study Abroad Office at niuabroad@niu.edu or 815-753-0700.

Study Abroad in Coastal Mexico This Winter

 

Study Abroad in Coastal Mexico This Winter

Explore the connections among water, culture, community resilience, sustainability and environmental justice during NIU’s faculty-led study abroad program in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Water, Community, and Environmental Justice in Coastal Mexico will take place Dec. 28, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027. Students from all majors are welcome.

Through field visits, applied activities and collaboration with local partners, participants will:

• Explore cenotes, karst groundwater and coastal environments

• Examine water access, sanitation and tourism pressures

• Learn with Centinelas del Agua and local communities

• Investigate mangroves, sargassum and sustainable practices

• Consider how environmental challenges affect communities across the Riviera Maya

Attend an Information Session

Meet the program leaders, learn about planned activities, review costs and course-credit options, and ask questions.

In person
Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.
Montgomery Hall 353

Online via Zoom
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.
https://niu-edu.zoom.us/j/85362605398?pwd=dCSf0XejSbBfOaSbZEO4w10iuMghAO.1

Course Credit

Students may select from ENVS 496, NNGO 328, POLS 496, PSPA 496, SOCI 395 or INTL 301 for three credits, or EAE 494 for one credit. Qualified students may request Honors credit with approval. Undergraduate and graduate credit options are available.

Cost and Application

The program cost is $2,635. Airfare, most meals and the NIU Academic Program Enhancement Fee are additional.

Application deadline: Sept. 29

View program details and apply through the NIU Study Abroad Portal.

Questions? Contact Melissa Burlingame Greenhagen at mburlingame@niu.edu.

Build Career Skills While Tackling a Food Sustainability Challenge

 

Build Career Skills While Tackling a Food Sustainability Challenge

Environmental Studies students looking for a career-focused elective this fall may be interested in UNIV 301, a three-credit course offered through NIU’s partnership with Braven.

In this fully online, synchronous course, sophomores, juniors and seniors develop practical career skills, including résumé writing, interviewing, networking and professional communication. Students also collaborate with peers from across NIU on a real-world capstone project.

This fall, students will work with Builders Vision, a capital and philanthropic firm focused on food and agriculture, energy, and oceans. The project centers on Forty Acres Fresh Market, which provides affordable, healthy and culturally relevant food in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Student teams will develop creative, low-cost strategies to help Forty Acres engage the community, increase revenue and build customer loyalty while keeping food affordable. They will present their recommendations live to the employer partner and other stakeholders.

Course details:

• Three-credit elective

• Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors

• Fully online with synchronous Tuesday or Wednesday class options

• Includes career preparation and a real-world team project

Learn more about the course and Braven at niu.edu/braven.

Field Research Technician Position Jones lab

 

Are you interested in a paid research opportunity? The Jones Evidence-Based Restoration Lab has an undergraduate research assistant position available! This position will be a blend of field and greenhouse work with flexible hours and scheduling. You will have the opportunity to participate in field-based soil core collection at Nachusa grasslands, as well as learn in-demand plant identification and greenhouse techniques by helping record the seedlings emerging from the planted soil cores and maintaining the ideal conditions for the seedlings. No experience necessary - we are here for you to learn, and you will have guidance at every step of the way! The position will have a stipend of $2,000. 

Requirements for the position: Undergraduate student at NIU, available September through the end of November.

This position must be filled, so please reach out to Kamal Ehrlich (z2037175@students.niu.edu) with a cover letter stating your interest, experience for the position, and general career goals by August 31st. 

Join us for the Interdisciplinary Centers Open House!

 

Join us for the Interdisciplinary Centers Open House!

Stop by the Environmental Studies table to meet our faculty, staff and students and learn how you can turn your interest in the environment, sustainability and energy into a major or minor at NIU. You can also explore other interdisciplinary programs, connect with campus resources and enjoy free food, music and performances.

📅 Thursday, Aug. 27
🕛 Noon to 2 p.m.
📍 Outside the Latino Resource Center and Center for Southeast Asian Studies

We hope to see you there!

#NIU #NIUENVS #EnvironmentalStudies #HuskiePride

Saving Asia’s Threatened Trees: From Assessment to Action

Learn how international partnerships are helping protect some of Asia’s most threatened tree species during a special presentation by conservation professionals from The Morton Arboretum.

Kate Good, research manager, and Amy Byrne, strategic partnerships manager, will share insights from the Arboretum’s Global Tree Conservation Program. Their presentation will explore how researchers assess threats to tree species and translate their findings into collaborative conservation action.

Students interested in biodiversity, conservation, environmental research, nonprofit organizations or international environmental work are encouraged to attend.

Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
Time: Noon
Location: Peters Campus Life Building, Room 100
Attendance option: In person or online

This event is cosponsored by the NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy.

Water Quality and Resources in the Yucatan Peninsula - REU Poster Session

 

Flood Mitigation Management Program Internship position

Flood Mitigation Program Management Intern

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking one full-time intern to provide administrative support for SMC Flood Mitigation Program. This is a long-term position, not to exceed 1,000 hours. Applicants are encouraged to review information on the Voluntary Floodplain Buyout Program at lakecountyil.gov/3973/Flood-Information-and-Programs prior to applying.

The intern will primarily work in the office, with limited field visits under the guidance of SMC staff and will support multiple phases of flood mitigation program implementation. Responsibilities include assisting with coordination and communication among SMC staff, homeowners, municipal partners, and other governmental entities; supporting project documentation, administrative records, and cost tracking; and assisting with property transfer activities related to voluntary floodplain buyout projects. Additional responsibilities include administrative support for bid and demolition activities, such as maintaining bid and demolition files; supporting bid development, openings, tabulations, and award documentation; assisting with asbestos abatement planning; supporting demolition scheduling, permitting, site documentation, and compliance; coordinating with Habitat for Humanity, recycling and reuse partners, and other Lake County departments to facilitate utility disconnects; and assisting with purchase requests, payment processing, and maintenance of accounting and budget balances. Other duties may be assigned in support of SMC program management and flood mitigation activities.

Successful candidates must have strong attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, and intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products, as well as the ability to work both indoors and outdoors in variable conditions and perform limited to moderately strenuous physical activity. Candidates should be graduates of a two- or four-year higher education program with coursework in environmental science, geography, urban planning, hazard or disaster (particularly flood) mitigation planning, or a related field, and have an interest in local and federal government processes. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS software is desirable but not required. A valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record are required, and while County vehicles will be provided for most field work, candidates must have their own transportation for travel to and from field sites if needed.

This is an office-based position with regular Monday through Friday work hours (for example, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), with alternative schedules and limited remote work options available depending on assignment. The intern will work approximately 40 hours per week for up to 25 weeks, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The desired start date is flexible, and academic credit may be available pending confirmation with the candidate’s academic advisor. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Jeff Laramy at jlaramy@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-7709. Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and may include a pre-employment medical exam at a County-approved medical facility, at no cost to the applicant. Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply for this internship, visit tinyurl.com/yv9v2ev7.

Job Location: Libertyville, Illinois
Position Type: Intern
Salary: $18.00/hour
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026

Saving Asia’s Threatened Trees at The Morton Arboretum

Interested in biodiversity, tree conservation or international environmental partnerships? The Global Tree Conservation Program team will present “Saving Asia’s Threatened Trees: Global Partnerships in Action” during the Destination Asia Festival at The Morton Arboretum on Aug. 1 and 2.

The presentation is open to the public and designed for a general audience. Students can also enjoy the festival and explore the Arboretum during their visit.

Students who register for the presentation and email their name to Kate Good at kgood@mortonarb.org can receive free admission to The Morton Arboretum for the day.

[Register for the presentation and learn more.]

ANTH 449 - Primates and Food

 

EAE 430 - Population, Society, and Environment

 

EPA Recent Graduates Job Posting - Closes July 1

 Life Scientist/Environmental Engineer/Physical Scientist

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Location(s): 1 vacancy - Chicago, Illinois
Salary: $56,409.00 to $89,703.00 / PA
Series and Grade: GS-0401/0819/1301-7/9
Open Period: Thursday, June 25, 2026 to Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Position Information: Recent graduates - Full-time
Who May Apply: Recent graduates, Students
Announcement Number: EPA-ORG-R5-26-12987924

Job posting: Environmental Social Scientist, Field Museum

I’m pleased to share that the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center is recruiting for an Environmental Social Scientist to join its Chicago Program.

We are seeking candidates who combine rigorous social science practice with a genuine commitment to conservation and community well-being. This role will lead community-engaged research and partnership development across the Chicago Wilderness region, including Chicago, Kankakee County, and Northwest Indiana. The position is offered on a three-year term with potential for renewal. 

For full position details and to submit an application, visit https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/careers and select “Environmental Social Scientist - Keller Science Action Center”. Candidates should submit a CV/resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin June 8, 2025 with applications accepted until the position is filled. 

Post-doctoral Associate in Socioecological Outcomes and Monitoring of Restoration in Dryland Ecosystems

We are seeking a postdoc who will work with an interdisciplinary team based at Penn State, and including collaborators at Duke, Minnesota, University of Witswatersrand, and LUANAR, and will focus on analyzing the socio-ecological impacts of ecosystem restoration in mosaic forest-grassland ecosystems and design appropriate monitoring frameworks, using a variety of data sources.

Full job announcement, including required and desired qualifications and how to apply here: 

https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Post-doctoral-Associate-in-Socioecological-Outcomes-and-Monitoring-of-Restoration-in-Dryland-Ecosystems_REQ_0000078390

EPA Environmental Economics research fellowship

EPA’s National Center for Environmental Economics is recruiting for a research fellowship open to new and recent graduates at the undergraduate or masters level:https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EPA-OP-NCEE-2026-0001

 

The position is based in Washington, DC. We will review applications on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply by June 2^nd.  

 

Heather Klemick, PhD

Acting Branch Chief, Benefits Assessment and Methods Development

National Center for Environmental Economics

US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Fellowship in Protection and Restoration of Great Lakes Ecosystem Health

 

• Application deadline: May 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
• Apply here: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EPA-REG5-GLNPO-2026-0002

NIU MPA program information sessions

 

Snail lab tech position

 

Fully Funded MS/PhD Research Opportunity for Hispanic Students - Purdue University Northwest Water Institute

The Water Institute at Purdue University Northwest is currently seeking Hispanic undergraduate seniors interested in pursuing a Master's degree and Master's students interested in pursuing a PhD, with research opportunities focused on:

• Food-Energy-Water-Land Nexus for Sustainable Agriculture
• Renewable Energy Integration in Agriculture and Rural Communities
• Desalination-centered Food-Energy-Water Nexus
• Nuclear-Enabled Agriculture, Desalination and Wastewater Management
• Innovative Nutrient-Energy-Water Technologies for Circular Bioeconomy
• Artificial Intelligence-enabled Process Intensification and Optimization
• Waste-to-Value Environmental Technologies for Sustainable Development

Summer Internship Opportunity in Colorado

 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Internship

POSITION:

Youth Intern Program (YIP) Interpretive Ranger

START & END DATE:

May 2026 - October 2026. School schedules will be accommodated. The internship term will be 6

months maximum.

PAY RATE:

$17.50 per hour

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:

May 15, 2026

SCHEDULE:

40 hours/week, including weekends. Mondays and Tuesdays off.

BENEFITS:

● Paid sick leave

● PERA retirement employer contributions

● Employee wellness resources and CSEAP Benefits

● Professional development opportunities like certifications, trainings, conferences, and

memberships

● Employee housing for over 18 years of age