WFO El Paso Forecaster David Novlan provides lecture for university Geology students re: careers in the National Weather service (Photo: WFO El Paso).
(Feb. 2, 2011) -- The National Weather Service staff in El Paso has forged a strong working partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso to expose scores of young Hispanic science students to the possibility of careers in the field of Meteorology.
While the minority serving university does not have an Atmospheric Science department, it does offer coursework in Meteorology and Climatology through its Geological Sciences and Physics departments.
Led by El Paso Senior Forecaster Joe Rogash and Forecaster David Novlan, this partnership has been in place for nearly six years. Rogash and Novlan provide guest lectures for the Geological Sciences and Physics departments, mentor young students in these core subjects, conduct tours of the El Paso forecast office, and act as subject matter experts for university faculty. Their lectures range from local severe weather climatology, careers in meteorology, SKYWARN spotter training, and the North-American Monsoon.
The partnership has expanded recently to include the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences Weather Camp project. Annual summer weather camps are held at several minority-serving institutions including El Paso.
Supported by funds from the NOAA Educational Partnership Program for Minority Serving Institutions and hosted by Washington's Howard University, the weather camps are geared toward aspiring high school-aged minority students.
This year marks the third year that the University of Texas in El Paso has participated in the program and the National Weather Service staff has become an integral part of this outreach effort.
"Interfacing with the Hispanic community is crucial if we expect to accomplish the National Weather Service mission and connect with its people in this region in a meaningful way," said Jesus Haro, meteorologist-in-charge of the El Paso office. "This is why the relationships that Rogash and Novlan forged with the university are so important. I'm very proud of the work they have done and continue to do in support of these young students."
