College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty & Staff

Callista Rakhmatov, Ph.D., Lex Stuart, Sharron (Ronnie) Miller and Stephanie Chau were selected as the 2024 CANR You Belong Here Champion Award recipients and will be recognized at the CANR Faculty and Staff Reception May 2.

This award honors those who live the CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement in and through their work and space. The CANR Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion established the award to provide an opportunity to identify DEI champions within the CANR community. You Belong Here Champions support a culture where every member of our community feels valued and inspired to achieve individual and common goals, with an uncommon will.

You Belong Here Champions maintain an accessible, inclusive and supportive community for all who learn, work and teach in the CANR, MSU Extension and AgBioResearch.

The 2024 You Belong Here Award recipients are:

• You Belong Here Faculty Award: Callista Rakhmatov, Ph.D., Department of Entomology and CANR International Programs
• You Belong Here Undergraduate Student Award: Lex Stuart, Department of Animal Science
• You Belong Here Graduate Student Award: Sharron (Ronnie) Miller, Department of Entomology
• You Belong Here Staff Award: Stephanie Chau, Undergraduate Diversity

You Belong Here Faculty Award
Callista Rakhmatov, Ph.D.

Callista B. Rakhmatov is an academic specialist in the Department of Entomology and a global network specialist with CANR International Programs. Rakhmatov began her time at MSU in 2008 in the Institute of International Agriculture where she served as an assistant professor and program coordinator. In this role, she designed and implemented capacity-building programs for international professionals in the U.S. and abroad. In her current role, Rakhmatov supports CANR’s International Programs, supporting global engagement of faculty and students in the areas of agriculture and natural resources.

You Belong Here Undergraduate Student Award
Lex Stuart

Lex Stuart is an undergraduate student in the Department of Animal Science, with a pre-veterinary concentration. Serving as president of the newly formed Spartan Service Dogs Student Organization, Stuart has been instrumental in building community amongst members. Stuart organizes key events and meetings, further supporting the club’s mission to foster a supportive and inclusive community for individuals with disabilities. The organization is also a welcome space for those interested in learning about service and emotional support animals. Stuart’s commitment to the organization’s values showcases her aptitude for fostering inclusivity and connection amongst diverse audiences.

You Belong Here Graduate Student Award
Sharron (Ronnie) Miller

Sharron (Ronnie) Miller is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology. Working in Dr. Rufus Isaacs’ Lab, Miller’s research focuses on bee ecology and conservation, with particular emphasis on native bee communities in natural, urban and agricultural landscapes throughout Michigan. The overarching goal of her graduate research is to better understand how humans affect bees in different environments and use that knowledge to help better coexist with them. Miller is also actively involved in outreach and extension initiatives promoting bee education.  

You Belong Here Staff Award
Stephanie Chau

Stephanie Chau is an assistant director of undergraduate diversity for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In her role, Chau coordinates pre-college programs including the ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS), ANR Institute for Multicultural Students Bilingual (AIMS-B) and Michigan Indian Leadership Program. In her additional role as co-advisor for the MSU chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Chau advises and supports undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds. Prior to her role in CANR, Chau was a member of the MSU Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) staff, a program aimed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.