Former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to Visit CWU Feb. 6

Gina McCarthy, former administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama and one of the leading national experts on environmental and public health, will speak on February 6 at Central Washington University.

McCarthy will speak at two events as part of the Social Justice and Human Rights Dialogues year-long theme on sustainability.

All students are invited to attend a reception and discussion on environmental/public policy and career advice with McCarthy at 4 p.m. in room 103 of Science II. A public talk, titled “Sustainability & Justice: The Environmental Truth,” followed by Q&A will be held in the SURC Ballroom at 6 p.m. Both events are free.

“To have a world-renown leader who can speak to her experiences as a scientist, public health practitioner, and administrator—we are poised to potentially change the conversation and engage people into why they should care about these issues now, before it’s too late,” said Pamela McMullin-Messier, associate professor of sociology and director of the Environmental Studies Program.

McCarthy is a professor of the practice of public health at Harvard University. She also serves as director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment, leading the development of Harvard’s strategy in climate science, health, and sustainability.

Her 30-year career includes being appointed by President Obama in 2009 as assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Air and Radiation, later to be appointed head of EPA in 2013. As a staunch advocate for protecting public health and the environment, she led EPA initiatives to cut air pollution, protect water resources, reduce greenhouse gases, and strengthen chemical safety to protect Americans—especially the vulnerable.

McCarthy, who serves as an operating advisor for Pegasus Capital Advisors, holds a MS in environmental health engineering and planning and policy from Tufts University and a BA in social anthropology from UMASS Boston.

Her visit is sponsored by the CWU Environmental Club, Cultural and Environmental Resource Management Association, Environmental Studies Program, and the Office of the Provost.

Media Contact: Dawn Alford, Department of Public Affairs, 509-963-1484, Dawn.Alford@cwu.edu.