College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

The 2025 Community Sustainability Undergraduate Honors Award winners were celebrated in a ceremony on May 3rd prior to College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Commencement in the Breslin Center. These awardees are those students who have distinguished themselves in leadership, scholarship, and service during their undergraduate careers.

Awards are listed in alphabetical order by major (Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education; Environmental Studies and Sustainability; Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism). Congratulations to all our award winners!

Outstanding Senior Leadership Award in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education

Recipient: Sydney Masters

Bio: Sydney is a senior majoring in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education with a teaching minor in Biology and a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies . Sydney is a leader in AFNR Education here at MSU including serving as President of the AFNRE Club for multiple years. Sydney recently completed her student-teaching experience at Whiteford high school and will continue her teaching career this fall at a Michigan high school. Sydney is also a current graduate student at MSU where she will be completing her Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Master of Arts degree program in the next few years.

Outstanding Senior Scholarship Award in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education

Recipient: Kelley Chase

Bio: Kelley is a senior majoring in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education and minors in Horticulture and Public Relations. This past year Kelley completed a professional internship with Certified Angus Beef. During her internship, Kelley worked with a team of interns on public relations and social media campaigns for the Certified Angus Beef brand. The experience with Certified Angus Beef helped set the stage for a future career developing public relations and brand media in the agriculture sector. In the future, Kelley plans work in promotions and marketing within an agriculture organization.

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education Service Award

Recipient: Kassie Acker

Bio: Kassie is a senior majoring in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education and minors in Agribusiness Management, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and Agronomy. As part of her commitment to service in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources she has also served as an Ambassador for the College promoting agriculture and natural resources. In addition to serving in various service-based leadership roles. Kassie recently completed her student-teaching experience at Montague High School. In the past week, Kassie has accepted an offer to become an AFNR educator at Perry High School. Finally, in addition to her new teaching position, Kassie will also be completing her Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Master of Arts degree program.

Leadership in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Award

Recipient: Karleigh Duffield

Bio: Karleigh is an ESS major who is part of the Honors college with minors in Business and Science Technology and Public Policy. Karleigh maintains a 3.92 GPA as a student while also conducting undergraduate research with the Toxic Action Lab as well as studying abroad in Greece for the Business Law, Ethics, and Sustainability in the Global Market program. Karleigh is the Treasurer of Environmental Studies and Sustainability United (ESSU) and a member of the Spartan Ski Club and Michigan State Pre-Law Society. After graduation Karleigh will participate in the Demmer Scholars Program in Washington D.C. as an intern at Strategic Conservation Solutions.

Environmental Studies and Sustainability Scholarship Award

Recipient: Sophia McGrath

Bio: Sophia is majoring in ESS and the Honors College and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as a student at MSU. During her Spartan experience, she has participated in several student organizations, such as Environmental Studies and Sustainability United, Sierra Club, and Dance Club.  She recently participated in a study abroad program to Belize, where she learned more about Belizean culture, food, and society.  Being a part of many projects, one highlight involved working to understand Michigan’s Ski Industry’s Sustainability initiatives where she aided businesses and people to adopt more sustainable practices. While attending school Sophie worked three on-campus jobs including as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the campus pools, and as an usher at Wharton Center for Performing Arts.  After graduation, she is excited to find a job working in environmental consulting.

Environmental Studies and Sustainability Service Award

Recipient: Mel Miles

Bio: Mel has maintained a 3.84 GPA while majoring in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and minoring in Leadership in Integrated Learning with the Bailey Scholars Program. Mel has traveled to Costa Rica to facilitate educational workshops for a girl’s school program called Chicas para el Éxito. Mel is also the Vice President of Environmental Studies and Sustainability United (ESSU) and the Garden Coordinator which helped created the Pollinator Garden in front of Natural Resources Building. Mel also helped found Students for Cultivating Change (SCC), an MSU Chapter of The Cultivating Change Foundation designed to create space and community for LGBTQIA+ College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students. After graduation, Mel plans to work for a nonprofit organization or government agency to increase accessibility to and education on diverse, sustainably grown foods.

Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism- Carl Dressel Park Management Award

Recipient: Nate Gilford

Bio: In addition to excelling in his courses as a Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Major Business minor, Nate completed an internship with the Department of Natural Resources serving as a supervisor for the Youth Employment Program. During this experience Nate motivated, educated, and helped youth develop and use their skills and talents to empower them to create positive change in their own lives and in the broader community. After graduation Nate will become Executive Director of the non-profit, Healthy Kidz Inc. which focuses on sport recreation and community development in Northwest Detroit. Additionally, Nate will also be continuing his education at Wayne State University in their MBA program.

Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Scholarship Award

Recipient: Hayden Buck

Bio: Hayden is a senior majoring in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism with a minor in Business. In addition to maintaining a high GPA throughout her academic career, Hayden also completed an internship as a Trip Leader Counselor for youth aged 14-17 in Northern Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Colorado. During this experience Hayden went above and beyond her role to also complete a social media marketing campaign for her camp organization. After graduation Hayden will fulfill her dream adventure by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail! In the future Hayden plans to work in nature-based tourism focusing on adventure travel with the ultimate goal of owning her own outdoor adventure company.

Outstanding Senior Leadership award in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Recipient: Isabella Hertsel

Bio: Isabella is a senior majoring in Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies as well as a minor in Business. Isabella completed her internship serving as a Natural Resource and Trails Intern for Sarasota County in Florida where she expanded her knowledge and skills on land management and conservation practices. After graduation, Isabella will be continuing her education in a graduate program focused on Natural Resources. She hopes to work in a city or county parks department focusing on urban green spaces and community involvement.