UMR Student Receives Systemwide Sustainability Student Impact Award!

Serena Handrick, a third-year student at UMR and Public Health Ecoliteracy Naturalist for the UMR EcoliteracySCHOOL mentorship program is the recipient of 2023 University of Minnesota Systemwide Sustainability Student Impact Award. The award recognizes her contributions through UMR’s EcoliteracySCHOOL and beyond in helping create a more sustainable and just future. 

Dr. Barnett, Public Health Faculty at UMR and co-leader of the EcoliteracySCHOOL program shares, “Serena's commitment to learning about, living and sharing sustainability persists at multiple levels. She has displayed a personal commitment to sustainability in her own life, but she pursues environmental health education and sustainability leadership at an organizational level (at UMR through coursework) and a community level (through near-peer mentorship with local health science high school students). She is never afraid to try something new and represents the best of approachable student leadership at UMR.”

Along with the award, Serena received a $500 honorarium recognition during the 2023 Sustainability Symposium. Serena is continuing her leadership for a second year in her role with the EcoliteracySCHOOL program and expanding into a research capacity.