Welcoming a new class of change-makers

As U360 enters its sixth year, we are working hard to broaden and diversify the program, starting with our applicant pool. Last year, 46% of students enrolled in the Class of 2021 were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), up 19% from the previous year. The diversity of students who enrolled this year is even greater — 48% are students of color.

“We need people with diverse points of view, skills, values, and knowledge who are committed to work toward environmental stewardship and sustainability across industries,” says Jacobs. “I’m excited to welcome this diverse group of change-makers to Manomet, and in 2022 we’ll be seeking to build on this success by establishing new strategic partnerships with community colleges, HBCUs, and other diverse institutions.”

This year’s U360 class spans the entire east coast, which is a first for the program; 25 students from 22 colleges in 12 states reflecting a high level of age, gender, racial/ethnic, geographic, and academic diversity. We are proud to have a class of young people representing a wide array of cultural backgrounds and look forward to getting to know each of them over the next two semesters.

This will also be the first school year with Jacobs leading Manomet’s Environmental Education and Outreach efforts. “I am very excited to see what this year’s class has to offer,” she says. “As a former college professor, I know the positive impact that a high-quality internship program can have on the life trajectory of a college student. U360 is clearly one of those high-impact programs, and I am thrilled to be part of it.”

Welcome U360 Class of 2022!