Jessica L. Black
Director of the Center for Indigenous Health, Culture & Environment
Chair of the Department of Natural Science
Principle Investigator: NSF-HSI CRESCENT Grant
Heritage University
Jessica L. Black is the Director of the Center for Indigenous Health, Culture & the Environment (CIHCE), an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Studies, and the Chair of the Science Department at Heritage University. She also serves as the PI for the NSF HSI CRESCENT grant. Jessica earned a B.A. in Geology from Wellesley College, a B.S. in Geography from the University of St Andrews, a M.S. in Quaternary Studies from the University of Maine, and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Colorado. In her professional career, Jessica has focused her efforts towards the overall goal of supporting diverse undergraduate students in STEM to completion of their degrees so they can transition to graduate programs and the STEM workforce, ultimately diversifying the professoriate and strengthening rural and tribal communities with skilled indigenous candidates. Jessica continues to work with her colleagues at Heritage University to infuse the B.S. Environmental Science and B.A. Environmental Studies degree programs with culturally responsive curricula, respectfully intertwining Traditional Ecological Knowledge, intergenerational learning, and experiential learning methodologies. In her international programs, Jessica works to promote sustainable, culturally vibrant communities, building global partnerships to empower indigenous peoples. She is currently working with the Ngäbe Bugle of Panama, the All Nations LSAMP CRIRE program, and Engineers Without Borders to provide opportunities for global indigenous exchange between STEM students and indigenous communities in Panama and Costa Rica.
