Hartwick College Approved as New York State’s Only IHMM Student CHMM™ Institution

Hartwick College has been officially approved by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) as a Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (ST/CHMM™) institution, becoming the only approved college or university in New York State and one of only two liberal arts institutions nationwide to hold this distinction. The approval opens a nationally recognized professional pathway for Hartwick students pursuing careers in environmental health and safety, hazardous materials management, and related fields.

The IHMM ST/CHMM™ credential recognizes students who demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills in hazardous materials management while completing their undergraduate or graduate degree. It is widely regarded as the entry point into the profession, comparable to what the CPA represents for accountants, and positions graduates to later pursue the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) designation, an American National Standards Institute–accredited credential recognized across government and industry. In New York State, CHMMs are formally recognized as qualified environmental professionals for environmental restoration, Superfund, brownfield cleanup, and voluntary remediation projects.

With Hartwick’s newly approved status, students now have direct access to this nationally recognized credential pathway, strengthening their academic preparation and enhancing their competitiveness in a rapidly growing field. As one of only two liberal arts colleges in the country to earn this approval, Hartwick now offers an opportunity typically found only at larger public universities, positioning its students at the forefront of professional readiness in environmental and safety fields. This approval also opens the door to additional opportunities designed to support students pursuing environmental and safety leadership, including access to the prestigious Dr. John H. Frick Memorial IHMM Scholarship.

Eligibility for the Dr. John H. Frick Memorial IHMM Scholarship

The Dr. John H. Frick Memorial IHMM Scholarship, administered by the IHMM Foundation and the Hazardous Materials Society (HMS), provides support for students preparing for careers in hazardous materials management and safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) fields. The scholarship honors Dr. John H. Frick, one of IHMM’s founders, who passed away in 2023, and underscores IHMM’s commitment to supporting the next generation of environmental professionals.

To apply, students must:

• Be full-time students enrolled in an IHMM-approved hazardous materials management or safety, health, and environmental (SH&E) degree program.
• Remain in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).
• Have at least one academic year remaining at the application deadline.
• Demonstrate a desire to enter the environmental or SH&E professions.
• Attain Student CHMM or Student ASHM status.

A Distinctive Advantage for Hartwick Students
Hartwick now joins a select group of IHMM-approved institutions, including Clemson University, Kennesaw State University, Northern Illinois University, Murray State University and Washington State University Tri-Cities. Of the entire list, only Hartwick College and Berry College represent the liberal arts sector.

Upon approval, not only are currently enrolled Hartwick students eligible for the Student CHMM designation, but Hartwick graduates may also apply directly to IHMM’s Associate Hazardous Materials Manager (AHMM) program, another critical step toward earning the fully accredited CHMM credential.

More information about the Student CHMM program and scholarship opportunities is available at:

• Student CHMM Program: https://ihmm.org/student-chmm/
• Scholarship Program Details: https://hazmatsociety.org/student-scholarships

For more information about Hartwick’s programs in environmental health and safety, hazardous materials management, and related fields, contact Zsuzsanna Balogh-Brunstad, chair and professor of geology and environmental sciences, and coordinator of the environment, sustainability and society major, [email protected].