Outstanding Undergraduate Seniors

One student from each major in CALES, nominated by their department, is awarded a plaque and honored at a luncheon every semester. These are University of Arizona students who go above and beyond in their volunteer work, research and internships to make a difference on campus and in the local community.

To celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of our graduating seniors, we compiled interviews with ENVS and SPS Outstanding Seniors.

Ana Soto, Spring '23 Outstanding Senior

"I'll be working in New Mexico as an environmental specialist for the Ground Reclamation Project with Barrick Gold... and I'm really excited about that because from the environmental science side, I really want to get into mitigating some of those environmental impacts that mining practices have."

Read Ana's Interview

Kelsey Graves, Fall '22 Outstanding Senior

"It's also known that, systematically disenfranchised communities also suffer higher rates of environmental injustices, so I'd like for my research to also include a lot of advocacy work for these groups and focus a lot on the scientific communication and the spreading of these new ideas and technologies that can help bring more equality to some of these areas."

Watch and Read Kelsey's Interview

Benjamin Karls, '21 Outstanding Senior

"In high school, I started my own green club like eco-friendly club. From there I realized, I wanted to do more with environmental science and was, like all right, how can I push this forward. That's how I ended up here in the Environment Science Program."

Read Ben's Interview

Jaden Iñiguez, Spring 2021 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

“I became interested in environmental science, when I was in high school when I took AP Enviro and I always knew I wanted to go out West.”

Read Jaden's Interview

Spring flowers blooming in front of Old Main

Griffin Collins, Spring 2021 Outstanding Senior - Sustainable Plant Systems

Brenna Bourque, Fall 2020 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

“I really enjoy getting my hands dirty and getting out into the field.”

Read Brenna's Interview

Sean Sylvia

Sean Sylvia, Fall 2020 Outstanding Senior - Sustainable Plant Systems

“After working in greenhouses and other horticultural projects, I found that my passion was more into the production of food and medicine instead of treating it.”

Read Sean's Interview

Spring flowers blooming in front of Old Main

Casey Gajewski, Spring 2020 Outstanding Senior - Sustainable Plant Systems

"I believe there’s a deep connection between art and science that gives people a greater appreciation for our natural environment."

Read Casey's interview

Hannah (Rae) Pickens, Spring 2020 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

"I'm curious about natural processes and enjoy introducing people to nature in a way that elicits strong, emotional responses."

Read Rae's interview

Nicholas (Nick) Buchanan, Fall 2019 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

“What I’ve enjoyed most about the environmental science major is its interdisciplinary nature.”

Read Nick's interview

Jalen Sanford, Fall 2019 Outstanding Senior - Sustainable Plant Systems

“I have an innate curiosity about the natural world, and I enjoyed all of my coursework in chemistry, biology, and physics.”

Read Jalen's interview

Christian Galindo, a Sustainable Plant Systems major

Christian Galindo, Spring 2019 Outstanding Senior - Sustainable Plant Systems

"I chose this major because I am passionate about sustainability and I love plants."

read Christian's interview

Lia Ossanna

Lia Ossanna, Spring 2019 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

"I want to use my degree to address environmental justice concerns."

Read Lia's interview

Our student recieves a CALS Outstanding Senior Award

Melisa "Mely" Bohlman, Fall 2018 Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science

"I was inspired to study Environmental Science ever since I took AP Environmental Science in high school and realized the dire need for this field of study."

Read Mely's interview

College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES) Outstanding Seniors

Who are the CALES Outstanding Seniors?

After one student from each department is selected, one of these students is then selected as the winner of the CALES Outstanding Senior.

Past ENVS, SPS and CALES Outstanding Seniors

Fall 2020

Brenna Bourque, Environmental Sciences
Sean Sylvia, Sustainable Plant Systems

Spring 2020

Casey Gajewski, Sustainable Plant Systems
Hannah "Rae" Pickens, Environmental Science

Fall 2019

Nicholas (Nick) Buchanan, Environmental Science
Jalen Sanford, Sustainable Plant Systems

Spring 2019

Christian Galindo, Sustainable Plant Systems
Lia Ossanna, Environmental Science

Fall 2018

Melisa (Mely) Bohlman, Environmental Science
- winner of CALES Outstanding Senior
Brian Blue, Sustainable Plant Systems

Spring 2018

Preston Kramer, Sustainable Plant Systems
- winner of CALES Outstanding Senior
Courtney Pijanowski, Environmental Science

Fall 2017

Ivsa Flores, Environmental Science
Cyrus Smith, Sustainable Plant Systems

Spring 2017

Jason DeLeeuw, Sustainable Plant Systems
Trevor Ledbetter, Environmental Science
- winner of CALES Outstanding Senior

Fall 2016

Kalli Harshman, Sustainable Plant Systems
Natalie Robbins, Environmental Science