Westminster College faculty members Dr. Helen Boylan and Brian Petrus, along with Dr. Alison L. DuBois of The Mindful Mind LLC, have published an innovative article in the Journal of STEM Education highlighting a creative, interdisciplinary strategy to prepare college students for success in the modern workplace.

Appearing in the journal’s May issue, the article, “The Business of Science: A Cross-Disciplinary, Project-Based Teamwork Approach to Workforce Development,” details the design and success of the Environmental Project Management Academy (EPMA), an interdisciplinary program that merges science, business and leadership education through real-world, service-learning experiences. 

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the EPMA program engaged students in semester-long projects for local nonprofit organizations, helping them build essential soft skills and professional competencies.

The publication highlights the authors’ leadership in bridging the critical gap between academic preparation and employer expectations—particularly in areas such as communication, leadership and teamwork. The program’s impact is clear: More than 84% of surveyed alumni reported that EPMA directly helped them secure internships, job interviews or employment.

The article also reinforces Westminster College’s commitment to experiential, interdisciplinary learning and showcases the faculty’s innovative role in preparing students for the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

“It was an honor to collaborate with such dedicated colleagues and talented students in creating this unique experience,” said Petrus, associate professor of business administration, adding that seeing the students’ enthusiasm, creativity and growth throughout the program had been truly inspiring. “I wish I had the opportunity to participate in experiences like this as an undergraduate, as it creates an environment where students can thrive, push boundaries and realize their potential.”

For questions about this program, please contact Boylan, principal investigator of the NSF grant and professor of environmental science, at boylanhm@westminster.edu or 724-946-6293.

More Stories