College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Elevate undergraduate research in the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences.

The College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), is launching the Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship, a signature program providing undergraduate students with immersive 10-week summer research and learning experiences alongside CEFNS faculty mentors. Our goal is to welcome a cohort of 10 Fellows in Summer 2027 and establish a program that inspires discovery, advances innovation, and prepares students to address complex science-based challenges. Fellows will pursue their own research questions across a range of fields—from biomedical research and forestry to geology, data science, statistics, astronomy, physics, chemical analysis, and beyond.

We believe the most meaningful learning happens when students ask important questions, work alongside mentors, and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. As access to immersive research and field-based learning becomes increasingly competitive, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to grow as scientists, researchers, and leaders.

Building on a successful beginning...

In summer 2026, CEFNS partnered with Forest Highlands Golf Club to launch the first Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship. Our inaugural Fellow worked alongside a faculty mentor and community partner, gaining hands-on research experience beyond the classroom. Building on the success of this first Fellowship, we are excited to expand the program in summer 2027 with a CEFNS-wide cohort of 10 Fellows.

Invest in discovery.

Help launch the inaugural class of fellows in Summer 2027 with a gift to the Dean's Distinguished Fellowship CEFNS fund. Founding-year support will provide undergraduate students with meaningful research experiences alongside CEFNS faculty mentors.

• $100 — Fuel Student Discovery
  Can help provide essential research supplies and materials that allow Fellows to turn their questions into hands-on discovery
• $250 — Support a Fellow’s Research Experience
  Can help provide materials, field supplies, transportation, and other resources Fellows may need throughout their 10-week summer experience
• $500 — Support a Monday Mentor Lunch
  Can help provide one week of the Monday Mentor Lunch series, bringing Fellows and faculty mentors together over lunch for professional development, conversation, and community-building
• $2,500 — Invest in Faculty Mentorship
  Can help provide a faculty mentor stipend, ensuring Fellows receive dedicated, high-quality guidance as they conduct research and explore their fields of study
• $5,000 — Showcase Student Research & Discovery
  Can help support the Fellows Summer Symposium, celebrating student accomplishments and providing a platform for Fellows to share their research with faculty, peers, and the broader NAU community
• $15,000 — Sponsor a Dean’s Distinguished Fellow
  Can fully fund one Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship for a summer, providing a student with an immersive 10-week research and field-based learning experience alongside a dedicated faculty mentor

Thank you for your axe of kindness.

Thank you for supporting the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences during the 2026 Homecoming Campus Open House.

To learn more about supporting the 2027 Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship cohort, please contact Jill Stillwagon (jill.stillwagon@nau.edu).