Monica C. Holmes clean water initiative

The Monica C. Holmes Clean Water Initiative is an interdisciplinary program that brings together students from CMU’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and the College of Business Administration (CBA) to promote clean water education and scientific literacy in middle and high school classrooms. This initiative gives students a chance to apply their academic knowledge in meaningful, real-world educational settings, while gaining valuable experience in collaboration, outreach, and project planning.​

Each year, teams made up of CSE and CBA students identify a classroom and partner with a local teacher to implement the H2O Q curriculum, a hands-on, data-driven approach to learning about water chemistry. The student teams help source necessary equipment, support the teacher during the implementation of the program, and assist in securing funding to ensure the program continues for years to come. These partnerships last throughout the CMU students’ time at the university, providing consistency and long-term impact.​

Established in 2010 by Dr. Monica C. Holmes, former chair of the BIS department and MBA director, this initiative continues her legacy of empowering students to lead through service, education, and innovation. It’s a unique opportunity to make a difference while building cross-disciplinary skills and contributing to the advancement of science education.​