AWWA diversifies student chapters with virtual and international options

Striving to further its mission of creating a better world through better water, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is embracing a more diversified membership by including younger and, in some cases, international, members. (Pictured right, Dr. Rania, faculty advisor with Mu’tah University’s student chapter in Jordan.)

To attract students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), Donnell Duncan, associate vice president at Arcadis and vice chair of AWWA’s Diversity and Member Inclusion Committee, came up with the idea of creating one virtual chapter open to all HBCU students nationally. He brought the idea to the committee and “the rest is history.”

“What we are doing is monumental to the future of the water industry,” Duncan said. “I believe in being the change that I want to see. As a result, instead of complaining about what’s not happening, I’d rather be a part of making it happen. The water workforce is aging and not very diverse based on the latest published data, but I believe we’re slowly improving. It’s time for us to pull out all the stops to attract a new generation of water professionals from places we never considered before. The HBCU Student Chapter is part of the solution.”

AWWA’s recently launched Virtual Student Chapter offers student membership benefits to HBCU participants at a discounted price, including all resources that a physical AWWA student chapter would normally have. In addition to the HBCU student chapter, AWWA also recently created a student chapter at Mu’tah University in Jordan.

New chapters offering networking and learning opportunities

At a recent online meeting of the HBCU chapter, attending students spoke with Robert Scott, Jr., president of Baywork and a member of AWWA’s Workforce Strategies Committee. He described the various types of jobs in the water sector (pictured left).

“Some of the benefits I have gained so far are network connections and field-related insight,” said student member Jabez Anderson, an engineer at Wessler Engineering. “So far, the first two guest speakers opened my eyes to the things that the field of water offers in terms of growth and advancement. From Robert Scott Jr., I learned more about the different jobs that fall under the water umbrella and the statistical data that accompanies those jobs. From Jim Cooper, I learned about digital twin technology and AWWA’s Digital Twin Committee.”

Meeting attendees vary in age and experience. Denita Bonhart, manager of special projects for Cleveland Water, hopes to mentor students in the chapter.

“I hope to serve as a mentor and help students make connections that will enhance their lives,” Bonhart said. “This is an opportunity to help the Ohio Section grow its efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in its programs and leadership.”

Jordan chapter helping advance global advancement in water sector

The president of the student chapter at Mu’tah University in Jordan is Diar Almatarneh (pictured right), a third-year student studying civil engineering – water and the environment.

“Through my involvement with the AWWA student chapter in Jordan I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the current challenges and trends in the water industry, network with professionals in the field, and contribute to the advancement of the water industry in Jordan,” Almatarneh said.

 “It gives me the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about water, learn from industry professionals, and draw the attention of students and the local community to water issues and raise awareness,” he added. “In addition, it allows me to contribute to the advancement of the water industry in Jordan through the activities of the branch, which is a cause close to my heart. Moreover, being a part of the AWWA is a badge of honor. It sets you apart from the rest because you are part of a rich tradition that spans over 130 years of trying to make a better world through better water.”