College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Undergraduate Student Spotlights

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Corey McKenzie

  Published on June 19, 2025
  Corey McKenzie shares his forestry journey as a first-year undergraduate student and what advice he gives to future students who might be curious about studying forestry, but aren’t sure they would feel represented.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Emilie Hebenstreit

  Published on May 28, 2025
  Emilie Hebenstreit shares a special story in her forestry journey and how she led a team of foresters to win the 2017 State Forestry Contest for the first time in history.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Riley Watts

  Published on April 14, 2025
  Riley Watts shares how they chose MSU Forestry to blend their passion for the outdoors into helping the Earth and how they hope to settle into state work after graduating.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Noah Dressander

  Published on March 25, 2025
  Noah Dressander shares how studying abroad in Mexico helped him expand his forestry knowledge and see its connection to the world. He plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Kenna Kline

  Published on February 25, 2025
  Kenna Kline shares how studying in Argentina and Antarctica broadened her view of global forestry and inspired her to research underrepresented species.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Emily Vaillencourt

  Published on February 15, 2024
  Learn how Emily Vaillencourt became interested in forestry and how the tight-knit community has helped her advance her career goals.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Alexis Sell

  Published on January 26, 2024
  Alexis Sell shares her undergraduate experience in forestry at MSU and how her study away in Costa Rica had a great impact on her.

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  Forestry Summer Internship – Thomas Barnes

  Published on September 29, 2023
  Thomas Barnes shares how his summer 2023 internship with the Michigan DNR has helped grow his passion for forestry and shape his career goals.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Arjeta Bajramaj

  Published on January 12, 2022
  Arjeta Bajramaj shares some of her influential forestry experiences that have helped transform her interest into an aspiring career path.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Lee Spangler

  Published on April 1, 2021
  Lee Spangler shares his passion on public education and the many benefits of forests.

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  Forestry Undergraduate Student Spotlight – Andy Deleruyelle

  Published on February 23, 2021
  Andy Deleruyelle shares his experience in forestry and environmental engineering.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Derrick Wade

  Published on January 5, 2021
  Undergraduate student Derrick Wade finds his footing in forestry with geographic information systems

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Gillian Chirillo

  Published on October 8, 2020
  Gillian Chirillo

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Elle Brandt

  Published on August 10, 2020
  Elle Brandt of Portage, MI is featured in the Undergraduate Student Spotlight.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Ryan Beechnau

  Published on August 1, 2020
  Forestry student, Ryan Beechnau of Dewitt, MI, speaks about his early experiences in forestry including his work in the W.K. Kellogg Research Forest.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Thaddeus Swart

  Published on May 1, 2020
  Undergraduate student Thaddeus Swart is featured in the spotlight as he shares many insights including his experience from working in Isle Royale National Park.

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  Forestry Student Spotlight – Jared Shaffer

  Published on February 29, 2020
  Jared Shaffer earns the undergraduate student spotlight as a Wildland Firefighter in Oregon and Alaska.