Congratulations to Environmental Studies majors Mishu Pham-Whipple and Danielle Bogardus, our 2016-2017 Environmental Leadership Scholarship recipients! Your leadership and efforts to raise awareness and spur action regarding environmental challenges is inspiring.

Program on the Environment, with support from generous donors, awards scholarships to two students each year who demonstrate a passion for environmental studies, integrative thought and action in their academics and activities, and a vision of how they hope to make a positive difference in the world.

Both Mishu and Danielle have expressed gratitude for the scholarship and support they receive as Environmental Studies majors.

Mishu

“Being awarded this scholarship means a lot to me because it helps validate my academic interests and career goals, particularly in my family’s eyes. Pursuing an environmental career while coming from a family where four members are computer engineers has made it difficult to feel like I measure up to their perceptions of academia or expectations of success. This award is something I’m also really proud to show my mom. She built a life from scratch after coming to America with nothing. Making her proud is the least I can do to give back to her and show her that she did an amazing job raising me.”

“The money from this scholarship has been used to help pay for school and motivate me to reach for things that I previously thought were out of my reach, like grad school.” 

Mishu has been involved in climate advocacy on a local level, and last year helped organize an eco-fashion fundraiser for conservation efforts in Peru. Interestingly, Danielle also has ties to Peru, and has been working to implement a waste management plan in communities in Peru, traveling there for field work.

Danielle

“The Leadership Scholarship is going towards my tuition at the University of Washington. I am working hard to independently make my way through college and this takes a tremendous weight off my shoulders allowing me to be more focused on my current research in Peru. Instead of being pulled by jobs on the side to help cover the bills, I can focus my attention on grants, my research, making the most of my time here at the University. 

The support that Program on the Environment gives to students is tremendous.”

“This field can be a daunting one and somewhat demoralizing at times, especially as I have begun to open my eyes to environmental problems on a global scale. However, it is inspiring to be surrounded by such ambitious, creative, and driven people like those found here in our own department.” 

“Thank you again for this award and I look forward to what is to come!”