Monica Miles (she/her)

About Monica's Community Action Project (CAP)

This community action project “Outside Together: Building Connections Through Nature and Community” is based in Buffalo’s East Side.This area has long faced environmental neglect and limited access to green spaces, leaving many young people without opportunities to explore nature or learn about sustainability. At the same time, college students, especially those studying science and engineering, often want to make a positive impact but lack meaningful ways to engage with local communities. Our project, Outside Together, bridges this gap by creating shared experiences that foster environmental awareness, leadership, and civic engagement.

Through this initiative, we bring together youth from the Delavan-Grider Community Center and STEM students from the University at Buffalo, with a special focus on members of UB’s Collegiate chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). These students serve as mentors and role models, showing youth what is possible in engineering and environmental careers while building their own leadership and advocacy skills. The program begins with an Outdoor Campus Day, where children visit UB for nature walks, interactive science activities, and conversations about how the environment shapes their lives. Next, UB NSBE students participate in leadership workshops that connect engineering principles to real-world challenges like environmental justice and neighborhood sustainability. These sessions prepare students to mentor youth and advocate for equity in their communities. The project culminates in a Community STEM Day at Delavan-Grider, featuring nature games, STEM stations, and a family cookout. This celebration reinforces the idea that environmental education is not just about science, it’s about empowerment, representation, and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. Our goal is simple yet powerful: help young people discover the outdoors, equip UB NSBE students with leadership and advocacy skills, and strengthen community ties. By working together, we create lasting relationships and inspire a new generation of environmental stewards and civic leaders.

About Monica

Monica Miles, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at the University at Buffalo and Co-founder of Mother Earth Literacies. Her work focuses on equity-driven STEM education, environmental justice, and community engagement. Monica leads initiatives that connect underrepresented youth with engineering and sustainability through hands-on learning and mentorship, including programs with UB’s National Society of Black Engineers and Buffalo’s East Side community organizations. She is passionate about creating pathways for historically marginalized students to thrive in STEM while fostering civic leadership and environmental stewardship.

More About Me

What influential environmental book or author would you recommend other people read?
I recommend Dumping in Dixie by Robert Bullard, which was my first introduction to environmental justice and helped shape my understanding of equity in environmental issues.

What are three environmental values that you try to share with others?
I emphasize equity, ensuring all communities have access to clean environments; stewardship, caring for the planet through sustainable practices; and community empowerment, giving people the tools to advocate for environmental justice.

If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be? 
Have you stayed true to your mission of creating equitable opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM and environmental education?