The NAU Review — Combating the climate crisis, recognizing two exceptional administrators and driving economic mobility

Sept. 12, 2023

As the Arctic warms and the permafrost thaws at a rapid rate, significant amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are being released into the atmosphere—a phenomenon that has the potential to accelerate climate change at unprecedented rates. The question is: How rapidly are these carbon greenhouse gases being released, and what does that mean for the future of Earth? With the help of two grants, totaling close to $5 million and including the largest privately sponsored research award in NAU’s history, Regents’ professor Ted Schuur hopes to find out.

The Third Way Economic Mobility Index, which helps students and their families understand the potential returns on investment of a postsecondary education, ranked NAU in the top tier of economic mobility among colleges nationwide.

A celebration of free speech and civil discourse, the tri-university debate competition is encouraging students interested to apply online by Oct. 16. The theme for the 2024 Regents’ Cup is “Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law.”

The Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS)—a five-year, $30 million international Science and Technology Center funded by the National Science Foundation— will focus on connecting Indigenous knowledges with “western” sciences to address some of the more pressing issues affecting people worldwide. The center will work on complex, evolving challenges brought on by climate change, including dire impacts affecting land, water and plant and animal life; the danger posed to irreplaceable archaeological sites, sacred places and cultural heritage; and the challenges of changing food systems, all of which disproportionately affect Indigenous communities.

Ann Marie Chischilly, who is Diné, was honored by AZ Big Media for her leadership and innovation in shaping Arizona’s legacy for future generation. She noted the influence of her mother and grandmothers in in her own legacy as she seeks to create a better Arizona.

Dean Ramona Mellott of the College of Education received the Dr. Eugene Garcia award for faculty research at the Arizona Higher Education Awards. The foundation recognizes educators for their efforts championing the recruitment and degree completion of Latino/a students.