College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

The 2025 Endowed Fellowship Award winners were presented on March 14th for the seven endowed graduate awards within the department. These awards have been created throughout the years from generous members, friends, and families of the Department of Community Sustainability- and previous iterations of the department- to support graduate students in their pursuit of their scholarly work to advance the mission of CSUS. Below, the graduate recipients share what receiving the award means to them in terms of their professional development and their future pursuits.

Nancy and George Axinn Award in International Scholarship

About the award: Professors Nancy and George Axinn were committed to international development, and to improving life conditions of poor people in developing countries. Professors George and Nancy Axinn endowed this scholarship to support graduate students who are pursuing careers in international development.

• Winner: Maheshwari Elapata
• “I am deeply honored and grateful to be a recipient of the George and Nancy International Scholarship 2025. This prestigious award is a testament to the incredible kindness and generosity of Prof. George Axin and Prof. Nancy Axin, whose support will significantly impact individuals like me who are passionate about pursuing doctoral studies and contributing to rural development.” -Maheshwari Elapata

Gilbert W. Mouser Memorial Scholarship in Conservation and Environmental Education

About the award: The Mouser Memorial Scholarship was established by Dr. John McVickar to recognize outstanding graduate students in CANR who focus on the study of conservation and environmental education.

• Winner: Rachel Szczytko
• “Receiving the Mouser Scholarship in Conservation and Environmental Education recognizes the path I’ve taken in environmental education since I first was exposed to environmental education in the sixth grade. It helps me to continue researching how environmental learning supports positive change in communities and the planet.” -Rachel Szczytko

Harriette Barbara Sherman Scholarship in Recreation and Tourism Systems

About the award: The Harriette B. Sherman Fellowship was created by Mr. Robert Ruigh to recognize non-traditional students who are enrolled in the Department of Community Sustainability and who are working toward a graduate degree in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas Management.

• Winner: Tatiana Iretskaia
• "This is the only award in our department that is specifically dedicated to studying tourism and recreation systems. I am extremely grateful to have been its regular recipient throughout my graduate journey. This year, I am using the funds to cover the costs of attending a one-week workshop in Portugal and two conferences in my field - in Detroit and in Virginia Beach. Thank you!" -Tanya Iretskaia

The Frank Fear Fellowship for Excellence in Community Engagement

About the award: The fellowship fund has been created in honor of Frank Fear by his colleagues and friends to recognize outstanding graduate students in the Department of Community Sustainability who excel in scholarship that reflects the democratic practice of community engagement.

• Winner: Rafael Lembi
• “As the recipient of the 2025 Frank Fear Fellowship for Excellence in Community Engagement, I am extremely grateful for having an academic home in CSUS that understands, values and recognizes community-engaged research. This award is a recognition of the importance of collaborating with communities to adress real-life sustainability challenges and it has motivated me to keep pursuing research that is community-oriented.”  -Rafael Lembi

Mllton H. Steinmueller Fellowship in Natural Resources and Environmental Policy

About the award: The Milton H. Steinmueller Fellowship was established with gifts from alumni, colleagues, and friends wishing to honor the career of Dr. Milton Steinmueller, who served for over 30 years as Professor in the Department of Resource Development (now CSUS).

• Winner: Rina Jowei
• “Receiving the Steinmuller Fellowship is an incredible honor and a humbling recognition of the work I have accomplished in this program. This fellowship not only validates the effort and passion I have invested but also provides me with the resources and opportunities to further innovate and drive meaningful change in our field. I am deeply grateful for this support and excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve."- Rina Jowei

The Malcolm and Ann Kerr Award for Excellence in Scholarship

About the award: Malcolm and Ann Kerr devoted their professional careers to improving people’s lives through education and understanding. This commitment was based on a belief that education helps us to see ourselves and our humanity through understanding others.

• Winner: Jonathan Vivas 

The Jon F. Bartholic Award for Ensuring the Future of Michigan’s Natural Resources

About the award: Dr. Jon Bartholic created this award to support MS and PhD graduate students in CSUS who embrace the role of scholar-practitioner modeled by Dr. Bartholic throughout his career. The fund supports students who identify and study natural resource problems in Michigan and work toward their resolution through collaborative efforts with community leaders, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry.

• Winner: Shelby Marocco 

Congratulations to all award winners!