Making an Impact

Students Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Leadership Awards

Each year the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) recognizes students who are making a significant impact on a college and university level.  

Samuel Andrews (Environmental Management and Protection, ’24) received the 2024 CAFES Leadership Award for Contributions to the Objectives and Public Image of the University. Andrews served as president for Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), Cal Poly’s student-run governing body, during the 2024-25 academic year representing more than 22,000 students.

Read more about Samuel Andrews’ Cal Poly journey here.

Outstanding Student of the Year Awards – 2024

The Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences Department (NRES) presents an Outstanding Student of the Year Award for each of the three majors within the department annually. Students, who are nominated and selected by faculty, are recognized for their exemplary contributions to the program and the department.

 

Environmental Earth and Soil Science (EESS)

Kylee Nielsen (Environmental Earth and Soil Science, ’24) from San Jose, California, began to realize their passion for soil science in high school when they worked at local nursery for two summers. They entered Cal Poly as an environmental engineering major and quickly realized their calling was elsewhere: spending time in the great outdoors. After switching their major to environmental earth and soil science, Nielsen became heavily involved in Cal Poly’s soil science community. After graduation, Nielsen accepted a nursery technician job at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, where they will continue to expand on their knowledge of plants and soil. Subsequently, they plan to pursue a graduate degree in fall 2025.

 

Environmental Management and Protection (ENVM)

Lilli Fulton (Environmental Management and Protection, ’24) grew up in San Diego, California, and chose Cal Poly because of her lifelong interest in the environment and helping people. She loves volunteering and strives to make positive change, which is what led her to pursue a degree in environmental management.

Fulton is continuing her Cal Poly journey as a graduate student in environmental sciences management focusing on sustainable farming practices with Costa Rican coffee producers.

Forestry and Fire Sciences

Kai Hansen (Forestry and Natural Resources, ’24) is from North Fork, a rural town in northern California. He said one of the best opportunities he had at Cal Poly was to “make connections and talk to new people.”

After graduation, Hansen is working another season on a timber stand improvement crew in his hometown. He hopes to continue to build a career in natural resources.

Read the full stories highlighting NRES Outstanding Student of the Year recipients.

 

 

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Read more stories in the Summer 2024 Newsletter