The Academic Sustainability Program has announces that 13 students have been accepted into the prestigious National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Scholars Program (GSP). This program exemplifies Auburn’s unwavering commitment to community health and resilience, environmental protection and stewardship and environmental justice. These remarkable individuals were selected from a large pool of highly qualified applicants and were selected based on their outstanding academic records and demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact on the Gulf Region.

“I want to extend my congratulations to our first cohort of Gulf Scholar students, said Rebecca Retzlaff, Director of the Academic Sustainability Program. “The GSP is an incredible opportunity to earn national prestigious recognition, take Auburn classes and get involved in sustainability research projects at the same time. We look forward to seeing what this new generation of sustainability professionals, activists and scholars can achieve.”

The Gulf Scholars Program curriculum will consist of a core class from the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and electives from an interdisciplinary team of nine educators from Auburn who have been awarded Gulf faculty fellowships. These faculty represent many colleges at Auburn, including Liberal Arts; Forestry, Wildlife and Environment; Harbert; and Sciences and Mathematics.

The faculty members awarded a Gulf Faculty Fellowship from the National Academies will incorporate place-based sustainability into their classes in the coming years. The GSP will utilize the expertise of Auburn’s faculty to assure that Gulf Scholars develop the skills and knowledge needed to cultivate creative, innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to Gulf problems.

The 2024-25 Gulf Scholars Program Students and Faculty Fellows include the individuals below. For more information about Auburn’s Gulf Scholars Program, visit www.aub.ie/gsp.

CFWE GSP Student

Lillian Avis, wildlife ecology and conservation, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

CFWE GSP Faculty Fellows

Allie McCreary, parks and recreation management, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

Wesley Anderson, forestry, wildlife and environment, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

(Published by Auburn University’s Office of Communication and Marketing)