If you are an underrepresented minority student interested in natural resources and/or forestry, the National Needs Fellowship (NNF) Program may be for you.
Successful candidates would focus on projects which could include, but will not be limited to, the following topics:
Financial aspects of forestry and forest management
Field assessments or human dimensions of excess water and forests
Evaluating intercropping in forest plantations
Soil sustainability and productivity in a natural and/or planted forested ecosystem
Diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of forestry and natural resources
Forest extension and outreach engagement
Application Information
These fellowships are fully-funded assistantships with opportunities to work with a forest industry partner, non-profit agency and/or government agency.
Minimum qualifications for these fellowships include a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry, soil science, forestry, environmental science, ecology, natural resources or a related discipline. We will develop a cohort of diverse students and strongly encourage applications from students traditionally underrepresented (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans) in forestry and natural resources.
Your mentor will help guide your research, so it is essential to have a strong match in research interest areas. Contact any of our potential mentors about your research interests to help identify a good fit.
Dr. Zakiya Leggett NNF Team Lead/Principal Investigator Areas of study: soil ecology, nutrient cycling, sustainability
Sam Cook Forest Asset Director, Student Recruitment and Placement
Dr. Stacy Nelson Areas of study: remote sensing and GIS technologies, diversity and inclusion
Dr. Elizabeth Nichols Areas of study: forests, bioenergy, chemicals of concern, water quality and water quantity, and water Reuse
Dr. Rajan Parajuli Area of study: forest economics, financial analysis of forest management, economic impact and contribution analysis.
Dr. Louie Rivers Area of study: risk, the judgment and decision process in minority and marginalized communities, environmental justice
Dr. Porche’ Spence External Evaluator Area of Study: Water quality, Environmental Pollution, Developing and Evaluating STEM Curriculum and Program
2022-2024 scholars
Papa Gueye
Papa Gueye is originally from New York, but his family moved to Dakar, Senegal in West Africa when he was two years old. It was there, in his grandparent’s small village called Coki, Louga that his interest in plants began to flourish. His Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida, gave him experience working as a student research assistant at the Center of Viticulture and Small Fruit Research. In his internship, he participated in the implementation of field activities, which included planting, control and management of competing vegetation, along with monitoring and documenting disease or pest threats. He was awarded a year-long fellowship with Conservation Florida through the Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program in August of 2020.In the future, he wants to contribute to the diversification of people working in the environmental sector by fostering an intimate connection between young minorities and the environment. As a young minority professional, he is determined to use his voice to advocate for justice, equality and the inclusion of minorities in environmental sciences to reflect the racial diversity of our country.
Summer Lauder
Summer Lauder is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Systems with a concentration in Environmental Studies. During her undergraduate career, she was a Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholar and a member of the University Honors Program, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Collegiate Farm Bureau, and Earth and Environmental Science Club. In addition, she has interned with the Environmental Defense Fund and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Summer is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Forestry at NC State University and hopes to pursue a career in science outreach and communication.
Marley Smith
Marley Smith was born and raised in Fort Washington, Maryland. Marley earned an undergraduate degree in Forestry at Tuskegee University. While at Tuskegee, he discovered his passion for learning about forestry and gained a love for the associated studies that came along with forestry. Marley is working on getting his Master’s of Science degree in Forestry while at NC State University. He has had the opportunity to work with the Resource Management Service North Carolina Region where he gained experience cruising timber, making mechanical and chemical inspections and helping collect insects for a special project on forest health.
Kayla Stukes
Kayla Stukes was born and raised in Prince Georges County, Maryland. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental, Natural Resources and Plant Sciences with a focus in Wildlife Biology, completed at Tuskegee University. During the summers of her undergraduate career, she worked as an Environmental Education and Stewardship Intern for the National Park Service, where she curated and designed an educational kayaking and snorkeling program and conducted environmental education presentations for park visitors. She also worked as a Forest Technician Intern for the Forest Service under the Greening Youth Foundation. After graduating, she took a year off and moved to O’ahu, Hawaii, where she spent most of her days walking through the forest, learning new flora and fauna and serving as a tutor for young violinists. In her free time, she engaged in volunteer work and journaling. Kayla is an avid birder, a professional violinist, a poet and painter. After completing her Master’s degree, she hopes to work in tropical forest conservation.
2020-2022 Scholars
Thomas Barnes
Thomas Barnes was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 2019, majoring in Forestry with a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. During his undergraduate studies, he spent a year abroad at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Upon returning to the U.S., he began working with the American Chestnut Foundation, assisting in the breeding program at Chestnut Return Farm. Thomas is now pursuing a Master’s of Science in Forestry at NC State University. He aspires to assist organizations and landowners in forming or applying novel, ecologically-minded treatments that can assist in ensuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of their forest lands.
Austin Cary
Austin Cary was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where he spent most of his childhood outdoors. Growing up, Austin spent time every summer fishing and harvesting crops with his grandfather, and this is where his love and curiosity for nature began. Austin earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee University. This past summer, he interned with Resource Management Service where he cruised timber, made logging contracts and inspected silvicultural practices. He hopes to work in the forest industry for his future career.
Asija Rice
Asija Rice is from New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her undergraduate studies at Southern University and A&M College, majoring in Urban Forestry. During her years at Southern University, she served as President of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) chapter, Parliamentarian of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter, Vice President of the Urban Forestry Club and Vice President of the Student Leadership and Engagement Council. She also participated in the Big Buddy Mentor Program & Baton Roots in the Baton Rouge area. Because of her outstanding academic performance, she was awarded the 2018-2020 prestigious Louisiana Forestry Foundation Scholarship and the 2018 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarship. Asija has interned with NRCS, participated in the USDA-National Institute for Food and Agriculture funded LSU EXPLORE internship and participated in the Kansas State Research Extension (KSRE) Summer Research Fellowship program.