Alumni and Community Network

The Au Sable Institute works to foster an active, engaged network of Au Sable students, alumni, and friends who help each other through lifelong connections, support the Institute, and inspire each other to be agents of restoration. We invite you to be part of this vital and enriching community.

Contact Jon Terry if you would like to connect with one of the people listed on this page. They have agreed to provide their professional experience and wisdom to other members of the Au Sable Community.

Click here to read interviews with Au Sable Alumni.

Ben LoweCurrently a doctoral candidate, Harvey fellow, and NSF Graduate Research Fellow in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Florida. — **Ben Lowe**
Ben serves as the Executive Director of A Rocha USA. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Wheaton College (IL) and a PhD from the University of Florida focused on the human, religious, and ethical dimensions of environmental change and conservation.

Rachel LambRachel received her PhD in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). During her time at UMD, she was a is a University Flagship Fellow and Harvey Fellow. Rachel now works for the State of Maryland and teaches several courses for Au Sable each summer. — **Rachel Lamb**
Rachel received her PhD in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). During her time at UMD, she was a is a University Flagship Fellow and Harvey Fellow. Rachel now works for the State of Maryland and teaches several courses for Au Sable each summer.

Grady ZuiderveenPhD from Penn State University and currently serving as Presidential Management Fellow working as a botanist at the National Headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service. — **Grady Zuiderveen**
PhD from Penn State University and currently serving as Presidential Management Fellow working as a botanist for the U.S. Forest Service.

Bethany LaursenCurrently serving as Assistant Dean, Michigan State University Graduate School. Ph.D. in Community Sustainability and M.A. in Philosophy from Michigan State University. M.S. in Environment & Resources and Forestry from University … — **Bethany Laursen**
Bethany is a Team Science Specialist at the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan. She recieved her Ph.D. in Community Sustainability and M.A. in Philosophy from Michigan State University. Au Sable Pacific Rim '04, Graduate Fellow, '11-'13.

Abbie ValineAbbie has a B.S. in biology from the University of Northwestern—St. Paul. She currently works as a seasonal field technician on various avian ecology projects; her past work includes monitoring endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers in central Texas, recording Song Sparrows on Santa Cruz Island, banding hawks and owls in northern Minnesota, and nest-searching for Florida scrub-jays in central Florida. — **Abbie Valine**
Abbie has a B.S. in biology from the University of Northwestern—St. Paul. She currently works as a seasonal field technician on various avian ecology projects; her past work includes monitoring endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers in central Texas, recording Song Sparrows on Santa Cruz Island, banding hawks and owls in northern Minnesota, and nest-searching for Florida scrub-jays in central Florida.

Janell BalmacedaCurrently pursuing MS in Conservation Sciences at the University of Minnesota. — **Janell Balmaceda**
Janell currently serves as Sustainability Coordinator at Westmont College. She received her MS in Conservation Sciences at the University of Minnesota.

Chris MoehringServing the National Park Service, Capulin Volcano National Monument — **Chris Moehring**
Serving the National Park Service, Capulin Volcano National Monument

Jessica OutcaltJessica has a B.S. in biology from Taylor University, a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology from Purdue University, and was an Au Sable graduate fellow 2016-2020. She is currently working as an independent consultant with The Nature Conservancy… — **Jessica Outcalt**
Jessica has a B.S. in biology from Taylor University, a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology from Purdue University, and was an Au Sable graduate fellow 2016-2020. She is currently working as an independent consultant with The Nature Conservancy and field technician with Western EcoSystems Technology.

Allison+De+Jong.jpg — **Allison De Jong**
Allison has a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from Dordt College and an M.S. in Environmental Writing from the University of Montana. She is currently working as communications coordinator and editor at the Montana Natural History Center in Missoula, Montana.

Wendy KloosterDr. Wendy Klooster is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice within the Horticulture and Crop Science Department at Ohio State. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Anderson University in 2005, during which she took several cou… — **Wendy Klooster**
Dr. Wendy Klooster is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice within the Horticulture and Crop Science Department at Ohio State. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Anderson University in 2005, during which she took several courses at the Au Sable Great Lakes and Pacific Rim campuses. Afterwards she went on to complete an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University in 2008 and a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) from Ohio State University in 2012.

Ryan O’ConnorRyan O'Connor works as an ecologist for the Wisconsin DNR's Natural Heritage Conservation program where he enjoys conserving natural communities and helping managers with climate vulnerability and adaptation, ecosystem management, and m… — **Ryan O’Connor**
Ryan O'Connor works as an ecologist for the Wisconsin DNR's Natural Heritage Conservation program where he enjoys conserving natural communities and helping managers with climate vulnerability and adaptation, ecosystem management, and monitoring. He has a B.S. (1999) and M.S. (2002) from the University of Michigan.

Veronica FransVeronica is currently a PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow at Michigan State University's Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability. She is doing a dual PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife, and Ecology, Evolution and Behavi… — **Veronica Frans**
Veronica is currently a PhD student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow at Michigan State University's Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability. She is doing a dual PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife, and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. She also has an MS in International Nature Conservation from Goettingen University (Germany) and Lincoln University (New Zealand).

**Eileen Boekestein**
Eileen Boekestein has joined the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as its environmental education coordinator. She has a a master's degree in Environmental Studies and earned her B.S. from Cornerstone University.

Dave RowleyU.S. Department of Agriculture — **Dave Rowley**
U.S. Department of Agriculture

John SkubbinaAn aquatic ecologist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) working in the State’s wetlands, inland lakes and streams, floodplains, Great Lakes, and sand dunes regulatory program for over 20 years. B.S. Bethel University (1990), M.S. Michigan State University (1994). — **John Skubbina**
An aquatic ecologist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) working in the State’s wetlands, inland lakes and streams, floodplains, Great Lakes, and sand dunes regulatory program for over 20 years. B.S. Bethel University (1990), M.S. Michigan State University (1994).

Nina Grauley

Nina Grauley graduated from Covenant College in 2020. She earned a B.A. majoring in art with a biology minor. She then went on to complete a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2022. She is currently working as a freelance Science Illustrator.