2022 Wyss Scholars Selected at Six Universities Across the United States
(Washington, DC) June 2022 – The Wyss Foundation is proud to announce our 2022 Wyss Scholars. The Wyss Scholars Program supports the graduate-level education of a new generation of leaders in U.S. land conservation. Wyss Scholars learn the latest in conservation policy and law, and apply that knowledge in future careers at land management agencies and nonprofit conservation groups.
Wyss scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled at one of the six host schools: Lewis & Clark (Law), Northern Arizona University (Environmental Science and Policy), University of Colorado (Law), University of Michigan (School for the Environment and Sustainability, and Law), University of Montana (Environmental Studies Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, and Law), Yale University (School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Law).
Wyss Scholars Selected at Lewis & Clark Law College
Lewis & Clark College selected two Wyss Scholars from its law school. Glenda Valdez graduated from University of Madison-Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology and Applied Economics. Last summer Glenda worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council and in 2022 she is serving as a law clerk for Earthjustice’s Oceans Program. Casey Bage received his undergraduate degree in Politics and Public Policy from Willamette University. At Lewis & Clark Law School, he volunteers with the Northwest Environmental Defense Center and is a board member of both Students Eliminating Environmental Discrimination and the Environmental Law Review.
Wyss Scholars Selected at Northern Arizona University
Two Wyss Scholars were selected at Northern Arizona University. Yazhmin Dozal completed her undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University where she studied Environmental Science. Her master’s degree research focuses on the habitat requirements of Culex aquatic life stages and possible health risks to communities in northern Arizona. Sarah Colombo earned a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University, where she majored in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with an emphasis on Southwest Environments and Biocultural Diversity. In her graduate research, Sarah is identifying specific habitat requirements of an endemic cactus on the Colorado Plateau.
Wyss Scholar Selected at the University of Colorado
The University of Colorado selected a Wyss Scholar from its law school. Jacob Jose graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary and the University of St. Andrews’ joint degree program. As a Colorado Law student, Jacob has interned at The Nature Conservancy and served as a legal extern at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This summer he is working as a legal intern in the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section of the Department of Justice, ensuring that federal agencies fulfill their obligations to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Wyss Scholars Selected at the University of Michigan
Four Wyss Scholars were selected at the University of Michigan. Francesca Governali received her Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College. Now, she is pursuing a dual degree from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability and the Ross School of Business where she is focusing on environmental policy and building her understanding of how business decision-making can benefit conservation efforts. Sophie Daudon graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. After she completes her dual master’s degree in Public Policy and Environmental Sustainability, she hopes to work in forest conservation in the Pacific Northwest. Joel Weltzien attended the University of Montana, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Upon completion of his master’s degree, Joel hopes to return to the Intermountain West to work on sustainable public lands management and advocacy. Lauren Ashley Week graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently pursuing a dual Juris Doctor and Master of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan. Lauren Ashley’s interests focus on land use, zoning, environmental resilience, wildfire mitigation, and conservation planning.
Wyss Scholars Selected at the University of Montana
The University of Montana has selected four Wyss Scholars from its graduate school. Stephanie Barron received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Biology from Randolph College and has spent her time since graduation working in the environmental field. As a current master’s degree student in Environmental Science, she uses traditional ecological knowledge as a lens through which to approach human-carnivore conflict. Gardner Dee graduated from Whitman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Humanities. After completing his master’s degree, Gardner hopes to focus his career on protecting Western coldwater resources and increasing access to public lands. Allison Monroe has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hendrix College. Prior to attending University of Montana, Allison received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study community-based insect conservation in Madagascar, South Africa, Scotland, and Costa Rica. Allison brings that knowledge of community-based conservation with her to graduate school where she is conducting research on anti-colonial models of biodiversity and landscape conservation. Malcom Gilbert attended Seattle University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. At University of Montana Law, he is the Editor-in-Chief of the Public Land and Resources Law Review and will clerk for the Earthjustice Northern Rockies Office this summer.
Wyss Scholars Selected at Yale University
Three Wyss Scholars have been selected at Yale University. Annie Miller is a graduate of Tufts University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science. She is currently a research assistant for the Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative and a coordinator for the BIOMES speaker series at Yale School of the Environment. Molly Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College. At Yale School of the Environment, she has worked as a fact-checker for Yale Environment 360 Magazine, as a research assistant for the Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative, and as the student Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. Jane Jacoby attended Brown University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Classics. She is currently a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Forestry candidate at Yale Law School and Yale School of the Environment. Jane is a teaching fellow for the Yale Environmental Protection Clinic, a board member of the Yale Environmental Law Association, a symposium editor for the Yale Journal on Regulation, and a co-president of the Yale Law Democrats. She has previously served as a summer law clerk for the Department of Justice’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division.
For more information about the Wyss Scholars program, visit our Scholar’s page.
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About the Wyss Foundation – The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.