Northern Arizona University Honors College

Today at 6am Dr. Jess Strom and 10 fantastic students wrapped up another great GCPS trip to Italy! We arrived in Naples a week ago, explored the city, and then moved to our home for the next 5 days in the town of Colli a Volturno in the province of Molise. There we worked with local students, learned about the natural environment of Molise and Abruzzo, made cheese and pasta, hung out with many animals, and ate a ton of delicious food. We wrapped up with a final (very hot) day in Rome! Thanks to Molise Italian Studies, Trippinmolise, and especially our guide extraordinaire, Andrea Rossi, for making this trip such a success! We are already excited for next year!!!

Global Citizens Project Scholars: Lowkey coquí 🐸 in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.

Global Citizens Project Scholars: Lowkey coquí 🐸 in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.

Ecuador Global Citizens Project participants are ready for take-off! The Ecuador trip is led by our very own Dean Gustafson. Have a wonderful trip! The Global Citizens Project Scholars is an Education Abroad program, in collaboration with the Honors College and the Economic Policy Institute, that provides resources and increases access to a global experience for NAU undergraduate students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to go abroad.

Ella Conner graduated with a BA in Comparative Cultural Studies (concentration on Art History) with minors in Museum Studies and Italian. During her time at NAU, Ella founded the Museum Studies Club. This is an academic club focused on career readiness within museums, the club has over 35 members! She also participated in five internships, including one in Washington D.C. through the Washington Center as well as the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, Italy. Ella studied abroad in Florence, Italy through IAU during the Spring 2025 semester. On campus in Flagstaff, she participated in an Art History Independent Study with Dr. George Speer titled “Lee Miller: War, Trauma, and the Feminine Sublime.” In addition, Ella presented art historical research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at NAU in April 2024, and the State University of New York at New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Research Symposium in April 2024 and 2026. Ella is so grateful for the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies and the Honors College for the support and encouragement over the years. After graduation, Ella has accepted a fully funded Master’s of Modern and Contemporary Art History at the University of Kansas as well as a GAship at the Spencer Museum of Art. Congratulations, Ella! We are so proud of your many accomplishments!

Emma Nesteruck graduate with a degree in Sociology and minors in Community Engagement and Psychology. As Co-President of the Community Engagement Club, Emma helped run a clothing exchange and community clean-up of the Sinclair Wash Trail. In collaboration with the Sierra Club, she participated in the Land Defenders Podcast, in which she got the chance to speak with Indigenous activists like Shawn Mulford who have fought tirelessly against the expansion of the Snowbowl Ski Resort and its use of reclaimed water on the peaks. Emma’s internship with Arizona List last fall sparked an interest in pursuing government and politics, particularly on the local level. In her two semesters as a Rural Arizona Advocate, she has come to understand what her role is in the nationwide targeted attacks against our immigrant communities. Though Emma is open to any opportunity currently, she is prioritizing jobs that directly support minoritized and underserved communities. In the next year or two, Emma will be moving with their family to Olympia, Washington. From there, Emma intends to work with social organizations, find job opportunities with local government or social research, and attend graduate school to continue her education in the social sciences. Congratulations, Emma! We are so proud of your many accomplishments!

Abbey Campbell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science During her time at NAU, Abbey embraced every opportunity to grow as a global citizen, researcher, and leader. She served as the President of the Women’s Lacrosse Club where she helped lead and strengthen the program while building a community. Abbey also completed an internship with the SWIFL Lab where she researched isotopic markers in annual plants that highlighted fossil fuel uptake. Last semester, she also worked as an intern for Carbon Copy, an online climate journal. The favorite activity she did, which she would highly recommend, was completing a year abroad in Wales which allowed her to develop and transform into the person she is today. In addition, Abbey earned a Peace Corps Prep Certificate highlighting her commitment to service, sustainability, and cross-culture development. These experiences have shaped her time at NAU into a rewarding and transformative experience. After graduation, Abbey will be participating in the joint master’s program SUFONAMA through the University of Copenhagen and the University of Göttingen to obtain degrees in Forestry and Nature Management. She is so excited for this new adventure! We are so proud of all your accomplishments, Abbey! Congratulations!

Morgan Felker Lewis graduated with a degree in Journalism and minor in Public Relations in three years instead of four. Hailing from Maryland, Morgan is a first generation student. She worked with NAU’s Lumberjack Newspaper as a reporter, the lifestyle section editor, and an assistant copy editor for a total of five semesters. This student-run environment has allowed Morgan to better her understanding of journalism and build her writing, editing, and management skills. Outside of The Lumberjack, she works part-time as a True Blue Ambassador, giving tours to incoming NAU students, and she is an editorial intern for Carbon Copy, an Honors College-based climate publication. After studying abroad in England with the journalism department and Italy with the business college, Morgan developed her love of travel journalism and reporting on a cultural and global scale. After graduation, she plan son moving back home to Maryland to attend community college for a Law Studies certificate. Morgan plans to apply to law school this coming fall while pursuing the certificate, hoping to start her law journey in Fall 2027. In the meantime, she is hunting for a journalism internship for the summer. Congrats, Morgan! We are very proud of your accomplishments!

Cayla Vient graduated with a BS in Political Science and a minor in Justice, Law, and Rights. When she first moved to the United States, she never expected to make a home out of the Honors College, but somewhere along the line it became just that. There is always a friendly face behind the front desk, faculty always keep their doors open, and the dean remembers your name. During her time at NAU, Cayla had the honor of working as a Transfer Jack Mentor, Student Activity Council (STAC) Chair, an AmeriCorps Supplemental Instruction Leader, and an Honors 100 Facilitator. Her experience as a facilitator was particularly special because she was able to work with the future of the Honors College, and I can confidently say that it is bright. Though Cayla is sad to leave, she is happier to have belonged, because the Honors College will forever be her home.

After graduating from NAU, Cayla will be attending Arizona State University for her Master’s in Public Administration as a Marvin Andrew’s Fellowship. She will have the opportunity to be placed in a city within Arizona and work in a local government position the next two years. Cayla is passionate about the role Artificial Intelligence will play in local government and hopes to bring her research into this opportunity. Congratulations, Cayla on all your accomplishments! You indeed will still have a home at NAU Honors!