Celebrate

Student meteorology society named local chapter of the year

Chloe Fischer — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:14:40 +0000

Student meteorology society named local chapter of the year Chloe Fischer Fri, 09/25/2026 - 12:14

The CU �Ǹ�Թ� chapter of the American Meteorological Society has been recognized for cultivating lasting student networks and leading impactful community outreach.

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Michael McGehee, Keith Waters named 2026–27 Distinguished Research Lectureship recipients

Chloe Fischer — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:49:42 +0000

Michael McGehee, Keith Waters named 2026–27 Distinguished Research Lectureship recipients Chloe Fischer Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:49

Michael McGehee, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Keith Waters, College of Music, have been recognized with Distinguished Research Lectureships, which are among the most esteemed honors bestowed by the faculty upon a faculty member at CU �Ǹ�Թ�.

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Lisa Marshall wins national award for science writing

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:54:52 +0000

Lisa Marshall wins national award for science writing Elizabeth Lock Wed, 09/23/2026 - 12:54

Lisa Marshall

Lisa Marshall, CU �Ǹ�Թ� associate director of science storytelling, has won an esteemed writing award for her 2025 article, "Does mental illness have a silver lining? Mounting research says yes."

Lisa Marshall

More stories by Lisa Marshall

The honor is part of the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards granted by the National Association of Science Writers. Among just two winners in the country, Marshall’s story is the top pick in the short-form category. The NASW will formally recognize Marshall this weekend at a ceremony in Corvallis, Oregon.

The awards committee praised Marshall’s piece as an intriguing perspective on the topic of mental health.

“Marshall's compelling coverage of unusual research into the upsides of mental illness takes a refreshing look at an often stigmatized subject and champions neurodiversity,” the judges said in a statement. “By featuring the researchers' powerful personal experiences and motivations, she humanizes the science of mental health and makes it relatable to her audience.”

This is something that Marshall works to do every day at CU �Ǹ�Թ�.

“Lisa is a leader in effective storytelling, who works tirelessly to bridge research discovery and public knowledge in accessible ways,” said Elizabeth Lock, interim editorial director. “Not only does she powerfully contribute to our amazing team’s work to highlight CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s most impactful findings, but she also engages across campus and beyond as a champion of science writing—teaching university courses, training, leading conference discussions and more.”

The NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards were established to recognize high-caliber, publicly accessible science writing produced on behalf of an institution or other non-media organization.

Marshall won the same NASW award in 2020 for "Healthy, stress-busting fat found hidden in the dirt." In 2023, she earned an honorable mention in NASW’s Science in Society category for her reported essay, "The end of Alzheimer’s."

She has also won several Public Relations Society of America Gold Pick Awards, including two last month for "AI ghosts are coming: Is that comforting or creepy?" and "Common sugar substitute shown to impair brain cells, boost stroke risk."

Marshall is a CU �Ǹ�Թ� master’s graduate, who joined the campus news team in 2016. Prior to that, she was a reporter and editor for the �Ǹ�Թ� Daily Camera and a freelance health and science writer, with work published in Discover, Men’s Journal, Runner’s World, WebMD and Vice News among other national news outlets.

CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s Lisa Marshall has won the prestigious Excellence in Institutional Writing Award from the National Association of Science Writers.

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Campuswide commitment and action earn CU �Ǹ�Թ� international sustainability award

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:57:38 +0000

Campuswide commitment and action earn CU �Ǹ�Թ� international sustainability award Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/22/2026 - 08:57

CU �Ǹ�Թ� has been awarded Sustainability Institution of the Year by the International Green Gown Awards, making it the first U.S. institution to receive the prestigious international honor recognizing universities that demonstrate a sustained, institution-wide commitment to sustainability and meaningful progress across their operations, academics and engagement with their communities.

Presented by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), the Green Gown Awards celebrate sustainability leadership across higher education worldwide. Since 2014, the awards have recognized institutions and projects that are helping transform the role of higher education in addressing environmental and social challenges.

The judges recognized CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s holistic approach, which integrates sustainability into research, education, campus operations, governance and community engagement, along with its progress in tracking and reporting measurable outcomes.

“This recognition is a reflection of the fact that sustainability at CU �Ǹ�Թ� is a team sport,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor of sustainability at CU �Ǹ�Թ�. “It is the result of a community-wide commitment to making sustainability part of how we teach, how we conduct research, how we operate our campus and how we engage with the world around us.”

International Green Gown Awards 2026 Winner badge

This approach was showcased by CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s long history of sustainability leadership, from world-class climate science research to sustainability-focused curriculum across colleges and departments, accelerated by the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education. CU �Ǹ�Թ� is also home to the nation’s oldest student-driven environmental center, is one of the most bike-friendly campuses in the nation, has eliminated single-use plastics in dining halls and campuswide and has a 50-year history of student-led campus recycling efforts.

More recent efforts include an ambitious climate action plan, �Ǹ�Թ� Climate Ventures and a growing portfolio of sustainability-related research, innovation and spinouts. CU �Ǹ�Թ� also partners with businesses, organizations and peers in �Ǹ�Թ�, Colorado, the U.S. and globally to develop collaborative approaches to climate change and sustainability-related issues. For example, CU �Ǹ�Թ� partners with the University of California, Los Angeles, on managing the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force, which works in 11 countries, across 54 states and provinces, and covers one-third of the world’s tropical forests. (The GCF Task Force Secretariat is based out of UCLA, Los Angeles, in collaboration with CU �Ǹ�Թ�.)

The recognition comes during CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s 150th anniversary year, a milestone that Chancellor Justin Schwartz said makes the award particularly meaningful.

“Receiving the Green Gown Award during CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s 150th anniversary is especially meaningful because it honors our history and defines our future,” Schwartz said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of an entire community, our faculty, staff, students and partners—all who believe higher education must lead on the defining challenges of our time. I am grateful for their dedication and proud of how CU �Ǹ�Թ� continues to integrate sustainability into our teaching, research, operations and public mission.”

CU �Ǹ�Թ� joins past recipients such as McGill University and the University of Technology Sydney as an international leader in sustainability. This year’s Green Gown Award winners represent institutions and initiatives from 18 countries across six continents.

The Sustainability Institution of the Year award is determined through a two-stage application and judging process involving experts from leading sustainability and higher education organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Association of Universities (IAU) and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

CU �Ǹ�Թ� plans to build on its institutional foundation and history tied to sustainability, growing the university’s impact on campus and beyond by educating the climate leaders of tomorrow and investing in research, innovation and collaborative partnerships to drive real-time action and change.

The university was named Sustainability Institution of the Year by the International Green Gown Awards, making CU �Ǹ�Թ� the first U.S. institution to receive the prestigious international honor.

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7 professional awards go to Strategic Relations and Communications

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:41:50 +0000

7 professional awards go to Strategic Relations and Communications Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/01/2026 - 06:41

Strategic Relations and Communications staff members at the 2026 PRSA awards ceremony. Left to right, back row: Lisa Marshall, Josh Lindenstein, Kellen Wilson, Alicia DiRago, David DePuy. Front row: Jennifer Schufer, Candace Smith and Lisa Adducci. Photo courtesy of MiHi Entertainment.

The Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)—the most prestigious recognition program honoring the state's best public relations campaigns, tactics and professionals—honored CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC) department at a Denver ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The department received five Gold Pick Awards and two Silver Pick Awards for exceptional work in the communications field.

Team awards

The Value of Research Campaign, involving the work of the entire SRC department, received a Gold Pick Award in the integrated communications category.
SRC’s 2026 State of the Campus Campaign, led by Kellen Wilson, received a Gold Pick Award in the category of integrated communications.
The CU �Ǹ�Թ� Wi-Fi Improvement Project, led by Greg Stauffer, received a Silver Pick Award in the category of internal communications.

Individual awards

AI ghosts are coming: Is that comforting or creepy?—by Lisa Marshall—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of feature story.
Common sugar substitute shown to impair brain cells, boost stroke risk—by Lisa Marshall—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of news release.
Human emissions drove the megadrought in the Western U.S.—by Yvaine Ye—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of feature story.

Best in-house team

From campaigns to systems: CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s integrated reputation transformation, involving the work of the entire SRC department, received a Silver Pick Award, reflecting the strength of SRC as a whole and serving as a testament to the impact the department’s evolution into an integrated marketing and communication approach will continue to have on building CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s reputation every day.

Critical support for these winning pieces of work came from SRC leadership, including Erin Frazier, Jon Leslie, Jennifer Schufer and Candace Smith. Also, mightily involved in the success of SRC’s winning campaigns and stories were the behind-the-scenes teams that develop and support the department’s strategies, operations and channels: Marketing and Content Strategy; Strategic Communications; Constituent Experience and Technologies; Work Management and Brand Intelligence; Budget and Financial Administration; and the Strategic Events Team.

The Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America honored CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s Department of Strategic Relations and Communications with several awards at a recent Denver ceremony.

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Rebecca Safran wins American Ornithological Society Elliott Coues Award

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:13:52 +0000

Rebecca Safran wins American Ornithological Society Elliott Coues Award Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/27/2026 - 08:13

The CU �Ǹ�Թ� ecology and evolutionary biology professor is recognized for her research on barn swallows and other avian groups, which has taken her across the world.

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CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:39:39 +0000

CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/20/2026 - 08:39

Alice Reznickova, Masters of the Environment capstone lead and associate teaching professor, speaks during the National Sustainability Society conference awards ceremony. To the right of the podium are Natalie Ooi, MENV director and teaching professor; Laura George, MENV career and professional development program manager; and Myles Maland, director of department administration in the Department of Environmental Studies.

CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s Masters of the Environment (MENV) capstone program has been named a recipient of the Innovations in Sustainability Education Award by the National Sustainability Society at their third annual conference. The national award recognizes outstanding innovations in degree programs that prepare and empower learners to be agents of transformative change through inclusive, systems-oriented and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

This year's conference theme—courage, credibility and collective action—reflects values that sit at the core of what the MENV capstone program instills in all students.

“We are so proud of receiving this award. It celebrates the impact of our team, our students and our partner organizations over the last decade. That impact is a product of investment. When you commit real resources and time into students and into reciprocal partnerships, you get work that matters, for our community and for the partners we serve,” capstone lead Alice Reznickova shared.

The recognition affirms the capstone program as a leading model of sustainability work. The MENV capstone places all graduate students in direct partnership with external organizations to tackle real sustainability and climate challenges. Since its inception, MENV students have completed nearly 250 projects, and with each one, the program's network of partners, alumni and real-world impact continues to grow.

Just this past year, 78 students invested more than 46,800 hours across 26 projects with nonprofits, municipalities, private companies and state agencies, producing deliverables that informed policy, advanced organizational strategy and created measurable outcomes for communities across Colorado and beyond. By functioning as graduate-level consultants rather than traditional interns, MENV students bring prior professional experience and sustainability expertise to every project.

The capstone program's approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful progress on sustainability requires more than technical expertise—it requires the courage to engage in complex, real-world problems; the credibility that comes from rigorous, applied work; and the ability to collaborate across sectors and communities.

Read the 2025 MENV Capstone Impact Report (PDF)

Under the guidance of their faculty advisor and capstone partner, students have a real impact on their communities and leave equipped to contribute to the kind of collective action the sustainability field demands. What further distinguishes the program is how intentionally it weaves career development into the capstone experience, so that applied project work and professional growth advance hand in hand.

“Partnering with Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has given me exactly the combination of experiences I hoped to get out of MENV: deep learning, strong professional connections and the chance to see my work create tangible impact. As I look toward full-time opportunities after graduation, this experience has become a genuine stepping stone and proof of what I can contribute in professional settings,” Norman Kalen, a second-year MENV student, shared.

As MENV enters its 10th year, this national recognition affirms the program's role as a global model for how professional graduate education can drive lasting, meaningful change.

The National Sustainability Society has honored the graduate capstone program with its Innovations in Sustainability Education Award, recognizing a decade of student-led projects that pair real-world impact with professional growth.

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A new charge for leadership at CU �Ǹ�Թ�

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:11:33 +0000

A new charge for leadership at CU �Ǹ�Թ� Megan M Rogers Mon, 08/17/2026 - 09:11

As higher education prepares students for increasingly complex scientific, technological and societal challenges, CU �Ǹ�Թ� is strengthening its commitment to leadership development by naming Chancellor Justin Schwartz the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership.

The appointment builds on a growing universitywide effort to make leadership development an integral part of the CU �Ǹ�Թ� student experience—across disciplines, inside and outside the classroom, and throughout a student's time on campus.

"Leadership isn't reserved for people with a particular title. It's the ability to bring people together around difficult problems, ask better questions, make thoughtful decisions and help others succeed," Schwartz said. "That's a skill every student can develop, regardless of discipline."

At the center of the effort is CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s Center for Leadership, which connects opportunities across the university and ensures students from every field of study can develop and practice the skills to lead.

Since its founding in 2020, the center has grown into a campuswide leadership ecosystem that now includes more than 55 affiliate programs across CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s colleges, schools and units. Together, these programs reach thousands of students through academic courses, mentoring, coaching, experiential learning, civic engagement and other leadership development opportunities.

The Center for Leadership is also expanding the depth of those experiences. The Newton Fellowship Program brings together students from leadership programs across campus for an intensive year of coaching, mentorship and leadership development. The new Wagner Civic Impact Initiative creates opportunities for students to put leadership into practice by addressing real-world challenges and contributing to their communities.

The center is also investing in the faculty and staff who develop student leaders, creating stronger connections among programs and building a common approach to evaluating the impact of leadership education across campus.

The work has helped CU �Ǹ�Թ� gain national visibility for its approach to developing leaders. TIME Magazine has recognized CU �Ǹ�Թ� among its best colleges for future leaders, reflecting the breadth of leadership opportunities available to students across the university.

For the Boettcher Foundation, which helped establish the Newton Chair, the appointment represents both a continuation of former CU President Quigg Newton's legacy and an investment in the leaders Colorado will need in the future.

"The Boettcher Foundation has long believed that developing strong leaders is one of the most powerful investments we can make in Colorado's future," said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. "The Newton Chair carries forward Quigg Newton's extraordinary legacy of leadership and public service while creating opportunities for new generations of students to develop the skills and character they will need to make a difference in their communities, their professions and our state."

Schwartz's appointment as Newton Chair became effective July 1. The endowed position was established by the Newton family in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation and CU �Ǹ�Թ� to honor Newton's commitment to leadership, education and public service.

As Newton Chair, Schwartz will work with the Center for Leadership and partners across the university to continue expanding leadership education and creating clearer pathways for students to move from learning about leadership to practicing it in consequential settings.

"Leadership development belongs alongside discovery, innovation and academic excellence," Schwartz said. "We want our students to leave here not only prepared to succeed in their fields but prepared to take responsibility for what comes next."

Chancellor Justin Schwartz has been named the Newton Chair to advance leadership development across the university.

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Lee Niswander awarded 2026 Edwin G. Conklin Medal

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:29:09 +0000

Lee Niswander awarded 2026 Edwin G. Conklin Medal Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/06/2026 - 08:29

The CU �Ǹ�Թ� distinguished professor joins a group of researchers recognized for their exceptional contributions to developmental biology and dedication to training the next generation of scientists.

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3 aerospace grad students earn Amelia Earhart Fellowships

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:28:25 +0000

3 aerospace grad students earn Amelia Earhart Fellowships Megan M Rogers Wed, 07/22/2026 - 13:28

CU �Ǹ�Թ� doctoral students Kristen Amarell, Nicole Rote and Amrita Singh have earned fellowships named for famed pilot Amelia Earhart.

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Celebrate

Student meteorology society named local chapter of the year

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