The Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Graduate Student Award is given to a graduate student who has engaged with the community through service-learning, engaged teaching, or leading or participating in community-based research.
The Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Graduate Student Award recipient will receive a $400 stipend and will be honored during the spring semester.
2020 Recipient Rachel Byington
Rachel Byington’s passion has been demonstrated through her work with the Madison Metropolitan School District and the UW-Madison Earth Partnership’s Indigenous Arts and Sciences initiative. She has also served on the Johnson-O’Malley parent committee and Wisconsin Indian Education Association board.
A strong advocate for Native youth and communities and a gracious teacher to non-Native educators, Rachel leads trainings on WI Act 13 and related resources and has co-developed and facilitated educator professional development summer institutes for the Indigenous Arts and Sciences initiative.
Rachel also collaborates with the WI American Indian Society for Engineering and Science chapter and UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences partnerships to deliver hands-on learning opportunities and mentorship for Native youth in ecological restoration and food sovereignty.
Through her research and involvement with urban Native youth and families, she has inspired her colleagues and partners with her commitment.
Past Recipients
2019: Marlo Reeves
2018: Giselle Martinez Negrette
2017: Karina Virrueta
2016: Julisa Ventura
2015: Jose Vergara
2014: Lihlani Skipper
2013: Ashleigh Ross
2012: Dadit Hidayat
2011: Catherine Willis