Sponsored by the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, the fellowship is available to master’s and doctoral students in California and New England who focus their studies on environmental issues. One of the most highly regarded awards of its kind, the fellowships are given annually to approximately 20 students the foundation recognizes as “future environmental leaders.”
“I’m pretty thrilled,” Menten said. “The award will help me pay for tuition and books.”
A former co-director of the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT), Humboldt State’s eco-demonstration house that promotes sustainable living, Menten studies how local governments can help communities adapt to climate change and reduce their carbon dependence. She is currently an Energy Program Specialist with the City of Arcata working on reducing the city’s greenhouse gas production. For her master’s thesis, Menten is exploring a funding approach the City of Berkeley uses to support rooftop solar power generation to see if a similar program would be viable for Arcata. She is also interested in the program being used to retrofit buildings with energy-saving items like new windows and furnaces.
“I plan to continue working with climate change policy and advancing the role city governments can play in helping communities,” Menten said.
Dr. Arne Jacobson, graduate coordinator for the Energy, Environment and Society program, is serving as the chair on Menten’s thesis committee.
“The Switzer Fellowship program is interested in discovering a new generation of environmental leaders,” Jacobson explained. “Rebecca’s academic work, her work at CCAT, her work at the City of Arcata, and her passion for and record of effectiveness related to environmental issues made her the perfect candidate.”
Menten credits Jacobson with helping her earn the esteemed award.
“Arne’s been instrumental,” she said. “He alerted me to the fellowship and has been huge in terms of reading my application and giving advice.”
Menten is the latest in a line of Humboldt State students whose efforts in the environmental studies arena have been honored with a Switzer Fellowship. Others receiving the award include Alex Eaton, Environmental Systems (2007); Emil McCain, Wildlife Management (2004); Andrew Whitney, Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation (2004); Rebecca Pierce Rall, Wildlife Management (2002); and Rebecca Quinones, Fisheries Biology (2001).