Two MSU master’s students have been awarded the annual Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellowship.
The purpose of this $2,500 award is to provide an opportunity for graduate or professional students to achieve a level of growth that will prepare them for leadership roles in natural resource and conservation based organizations and agencies.
Kelly van Frankenhuyzen, master’s student in the School of Journalism, has been named as the Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation – Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellow.
Van Frankenhuyzen is an environmental journalism student who currently works for the U.S. Forest Service as their first social media intern. In this role, she is responsible for working closely with researchers to produce podcasts and social media messages that reach a wide variety of audiences. Additionally, she is working with experts from MSU and Ohio State University to create a website about the future of ash trees and the invasive emerald ash borer.
“This award is very important to me because I grew up protecting my family’s natural resources on the 40 acres of land they owned,” van Frankenhuyzen said. “I believe we need more leaders in the conservation and environmental field to promote outreach and awareness of issues that can influence all living organisms down the road.”
Erin Tracy, master’s student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, has been named as the John Robertson – Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellow.
Tracy believes that continuing her education in the fisheries and wildlife master’s program at MSU is giving her the tools and knowledge she needs to more fully understand the underlying principles in the field and prepare for a career in fisheries management. She is currently working with Dr. Dana Infante in the Aquatic Landscape Ecology Lab researching how landscape factors effect lotic fish habitat.
“The knowledge I will gain through my classes and conducting my research project at MSU will give me the technical skills I need in my field,” Tracy said. “This award will also give me the opportunity to go through additional training that focuses on growing as a leader and making valuable connections with fellow members of the natural resource community.”
For more information about the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellowship Awards, visit the MSU Graduate School website.