Fellowship Opportunities

Up to 5 accepted MEM students who have finished AmeriCorps, are midway through AmeriCorps, and/or who are committed to AmeriCorps service in the coming year are eligible for this award. Please describe your eligibility and interest in your MEM program application. Contact MEM for more information.

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Veterans who receive the fellowship will receive a one-time payment to be applied to their tuition for their first year in the program. Contact MEM for more information.

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The fellowship aims to support Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) in pursuing a Masters in Environmental Management, offering financial assistance and residency for the awardees. Prospective candidates will deploy the skills gained abroad in intercultural exchange to develop and manage projects, collaborate with communities on locally prioritized projects, or achieve global sustainability projects.

Join Western Colorado University’s Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). The Master in Environmental Management (MEM) program’s strong ecosystem restoration track has launched students into leadership roles in environmental agencies and non-profits. Collaborating with the WCU Center for Public Lands, this position offers an unparalleled opportunity for MEM and/or Master’s in the Science of Ecology (MSE) students to spearhead ecosystem restoration projects in and around the scenic landscapes of Gunnison/Crested Butte, CO.

The selected GRA(s) will work closely with stakeholders to implement various restoration strategies such as virtual fencing and low-tech process-based techniques. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a passion for conservation, possess strong communication skills, and exhibit a willingness to engage with diverse communities. Potential earnings of $20,000 over two years.

Contact Dominique Naccarato, MEM Director, for more information.

Email Dominique Naccarato

Assistantship Information

The Coldharbour Institute offers two competitive Watershed Education & Native Plant Nursery Assistantships for MEM students interested in hands-on watershed restoration, environmental education, and applied land stewardship in the Gunnison Basin. Assistants work closely with Coldharbour staff on watershed education programs, native plant cultivation, restoration activities, volunteer coordination, and community outreach, gaining practical experience that supports both professional development and applied graduate study. These in-person assistantships require approximately 10 hours per week (520 hours total) over the academic year and include a $9,000 tuition stipend (split evenly between fall and spring), with subsidized housing potentially available. Applicants must be accepted into Western’s MEM program and available to work in the Gunnison Valley. Coldharbour applicants are encouraged to apply by February 15 for priority consideration.

Email Julie Nania

Assistantship Information

Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management (MEM) program is offering a $10,000 Biosecurity Fellowship for a graduate student interested in applied research at the intersection of biochemical security, technology, and environmental management. The fellowship supports an in-depth, self-directed project examining emerging biological or chemical threats and the systems used to manage and mitigate them—topics that have gained urgency in the wake of the global pandemic, increasing wildfire impacts, and growing concerns around environmental and public health security. Research topics are developed collaboratively with the student, their MEM faculty mentor, and Western Colorado University leadership, with past projects producing publishable white papers and literature reviews on issues such as PFAS remediation and indoor air quality. Deliverables include an annotated literature review, a professionally printed final report, and a recorded presentation, with the option to generate additional applied products and to align the work with the MEM’s 600-hour project requirement.

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Writing Workshop tutors offer assistance at any point in the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, polishing a final draft, or preparing a piece to submit for publication. For more information, please contact Karen Hausdoerffer, khausdoerffer@western.edu.

Contact Karen Hausdoerffer for more information.

Email Karen Hausdoerffer

Selected MEM students assist Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability (ENVS) faculty with course delivery, scheduling and logistics, and more at $18/hour. Opportunities to TA in undergraduate or graduate courses are advertised to MEM students on an as-needed basis prior to each term. For more information, please reach out to MEM.

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