RPM, CSU team up for environmental graduate education program, career placement

RPM International Inc. and Cleveland State University are teaming up for what the Medina-based specialty coatings, sealants and building materials maker calls a "strategic academic and vocational partnership."

Starting with the fall 2023 academic semester, the partnership will provide education at discounted rates for three current environmental graduate programs: Master of Arts in Environmental Studies, Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, and Master of Science in Environmental Science.

Cleveland State also is developing three new, post-graduate environmental certificate programs in Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sustainability.

The partnership "provides a sponsored path of professional development in graduate level environmental coursework for existing RPM EH&S (environment, health and safety) professionals, as well as other operational and technical professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and professional education in the same fields," RPM said in a news release issued Wednesday, March 8.

RPM said employees will be able to take this coursework for continuing education as part of their professional development plan.

In return, RPM and its operating companies "will recruit internship candidates and full-time EH&S professionals from CSU's environmental undergraduate and graduate programs," the release stated. As a result, the company said, the partnership "will provide valuable internship and career opportunities to these students in their field of study, and a pipeline of qualified EH&S professionals for RPM."

Lee Bowers, RPM vice president—EH&S, said the partnership "will truly have a global reach for our associates to increase environmental management skillsets and provide a pathway for current CSU graduate students to potential EH&S employment opportunities within RPM."

Roland Anglin, Ph.D., dean of CSU's Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, said in a statement that RPM "will gain access to customized training and educational offerings for its employees" while the university "will provide innovative instructional value to a major employer and presence in our region and, in the process, create the foundation for many more industry partnerships."