Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series: From Overburdened Communities to Green Careers: Inside NJDEP’s Youth Inclusion Initiative (YII)

ABSTRACT

This presentation and panel discussion explores the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Youth Inclusion Initiative —an award-winning, state-led program that equips young people from overburdened communities with hands-on experience in environmental protection and sustainability. It will examine YII’s design, partnerships with community organizations, and its equity-driven approach to workforce development. The presentation will also highlight the program’s impact and share key lessons on building inclusive pathways and youth leadership pipelines in environmental governance.

PROJECT ABSTRACT

The Youth Inclusion Initiative (YII), led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), is a six-week, stipend-based summer program that engages youth ages 16–20 from overburdened communities. YII provides participants with hands-on experience across NJDEP program areas—including water resources, air, energy and materials sustainability, parks, fish and wildlife, and site remediation—through curated “DEP Days,” field experiences, and mentored community projects. Implemented by NJDEP’s Community Investment & Economic Revitalization (CIER) program in partnership with Community Host Organizations (CHOs) statewide, and supported by competitive CHO grants, YII combines agency expertise, grassroots partnerships, and an equity-centered approach to build a more inclusive pipeline for New Jersey’s environmental workforce and empower the next generation of leaders.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Vaishali Kushwaha is an educator, scholar, and sustainability practitioner with over 15 years of international experience advancing environmental sustainability and urban resilience. She is Program Manager at the Stevens Center for Sustainability (SCS), Stevens Institute of Technology, and an adjunct instructor at Northeastern University, where she integrates research, teaching, and community engagement. At SCS, Dr. Kushwaha leads the NJDEP Youth Inclusion Initiative (YII) and the PSEG Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship, fostering the next generation of environmental leaders.

She holds a Ph.D. in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University, an M.P.A. from the National University of Singapore, and an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Texas A&M University. Her work spans universities, government agencies, international organizations, and civil society, focusing on urban water management, resilience, and sustainability pathways. She specializes in strategies that inform decision-making and catalyze action, leveraging systems thinking, governance frameworks, and transdisciplinary research. Passionate about equity, innovation, and collaborative leadership, she is committed to building healthier, more resilient, and inclusive cities.

Vince Caliguire leads the Community Collaborative Initiative (CCI) at NJDEP, focusing on improving environmental, economic, and quality of life issues in New Jersey's most distressed cities. With over a decade in the department, Vince has held roles such as Financial Analyst for Landfills, CCI Liaison for Salem City and Paulsboro, and now Manager of CCI.

His diverse background includes experience in the realms of military, government, business, and as an elected official and business owner. Vince holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Casino Management from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, and an MBA from Stockton University.

Khalid Mustafa is a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. His research focuses on PFAS contamination in wastewater systems, with an emphasis on advanced analytical methods and sustainable remediation approaches. In addition to his research, he has served as a teaching assistant for several engineering courses. Khalid earned his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, India, and his M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA.

Zoom Link:

https://stevens.zoom.us/j/93419618750

Website:

https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series

Jointly Sponsored by:

HUGO NEU Corporation
WSP
HDR
NOMADICS
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Dewberry

Contact:

Dr. Dibs Sarkar