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On Friday, May 8, the Western Colorado University School of Graduate Studies community gathered to celebrate another successful academic year and recognize exceptional members of the graduate community during the 2026 Distinguished Achievement in Graduate Studies Awards.
The annual celebration recognizes three prestigious honors within the graduate community: the Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Research, or Creative Work; the Impact Award; and the Faculty Mentor of the Year Award. Recipients are nominated by peers across the School of Graduate Studies and selected based on academic achievement, leadership, research excellence, and meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.
This year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Research, or Creative Work was Autumn Rosengren. As a student in the Master of Arts in Education program, Rosengren focused her research on supporting early-career educators as they navigate the transition from pedagogical theory to sustainable classroom practice. Her work emphasized the importance of strong teacher development and long-term support systems for educators entering the profession.
The 2026 Impact Award was presented to Natalie Pax, a dual-degree student in the Master in Environmental Management and Master of Behavioral Science programs.
Throughout her graduate studies, Pax built meaningful connections between environmental management and behavioral science while actively contributing to the broader community. In addition to serving on local boards, working as a Clark School Advocate, and teaching as a writing instructor, her research explored food insecurity within immigrant communities, demonstrating a strong commitment to community-centered impact.
The School of Graduate Studies also recognized Dr. Kate Clark as the 2026 Faculty Mentor of the Year. Clark’s mentorship and dedication to student success have helped shape generations of Master in Environmental Management students into leaders creating meaningful impact in their communities and professions.
In her nomination, Pax reflected on Clark’s influence throughout her graduate experience.
“My graduate school journey would not have been the same without the consistent mentorship and guidance from Dr. Kate Clark,” Pax wrote. “I was honored to work with her, learn from her, and have her support throughout my research and graduate school journey as a whole.”
The awards ceremony took place on May 8 at the Kincaid Concert Hall in Quigley, where students, staff, faculty, and families gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of these remarkable scholars.
For more information about master’s degrees and certificates at Western Colorado University, please visit the School of Graduate Studies homepage.
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