The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation is a federal agency providing programs to promote leadership, education, collaboration, and conflict resolution in the areas of environment, public lands, and natural resources in order to strengthen Native nations, assist federal agencies and others to resolve environmental conflicts, and to encourage the continued use and appreciation of our nation’s rich resources.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to American Indian nations or to the environment. Each year, the Udall Foundation awards approximately 50 scholarships of up to $7,000 each, and anticipates that at least 20 scholarships will be awarded in Tribal Public Policy and Native Health Care. The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on American Indian self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

Learn more about the Udall Scholarships and UW application process.

2024 – 2025 Nominees:

• Addie Barker
• Lorenzo McCleese
• Katherine Valentine

Addie Barker

I am currently a sophomore, majoring in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource management and I plan on going into a career in conservation and environmental education. Through my career I hope to practice environmental stewardship while also educating others about the importance of protecting our environment. In the past, I have worked in a conservation crew restoring habitats around my community and have also worked as an environmental educator at a summer camp. These experiences helped me to clarify what I wanted to do with my career. Through my career I hope that I am able to instill a love for the environment in future generations the same way that others did for me as a child and hopefully inspire others to take action and advocate for our environment. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, knitting, concerts, and anything outdoors!

Addie’s tip: The advisors are super helpful!

Addie’s near and long-term goals: I plan on going into a career in environmental conservation and education. I would like to restore habitats that have been harmed by humans while educating others about the importance of conservation work.

Lorenzo McCleese

As I pursue a degree in environmental science and a double major in informatics, my passions primarily focus on climate change research, environmental justice, and promoting diverse outreach and inclusion. In my research career focusing on climate, I want to make significant contributions to environmental science while also addressing interdisciplinary issues pertinent to the field. In a traditional sense, I aspire to use research to help the scientific community and everyday people understand climate change’s potential and current global effects. My specific interests, like how climate changes affect marginalized populations, would allow me to gain a better scope of our planetary emergency. I aim to integrate my passions for remote sensing, data science, and diversity in my work.
Outside of academics, I actively engage in research and campus activities. Namely, I work as an Undergraduate Research Leader for the Office of Undergraduate Research and a Peer Mentor for the Brotherhood Initiative. I also serve as an RSO Officer for the Program on Climate Change Undergraduate Cohort (PCC UCo). I plan to hold these positions until graduation, striving to build strong campus communities and drive meaningful change. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, listening to music, exploring Seattle, and playing basketball.
I applied to the Udall Foundation Scholarship primarily to try my hand at a competitive application process to become a more competitive graduate school applicant and professional. Additionally, I hope to use this opportunity to build lasting connections with fellow students and gain insight into the impactful work being done nationwide. Connecting with professionals and peers would broaden my knowledge, expose me to new opportunities, and deepen my understanding of the field. Finally, I aim to fund my education and living costs with the Udall Award.

Lorenzo’s tip: Be as open and honest as possible; your experiences and values will stand out when you authentically express your passions.

Lorenzo’s near and long-term goals: I aspire to pursue graduate school and earn at least a master’s degree before entering the workforce. In my career, I aim to become a research scientist specializing in the impacts of climate change on both ecosystems and society.

Katherine Valentine

I’m a sophomore in Earth and Space Sciences and as someone who has grown up in our climate crisis, I have always fostered a drive towards sustainable solutions. Living in Puerto Rico, I witnessed the interplay between Earth’s natural cycles and human behavior through hurricanes, earthquakes, or everyday challenges like unreliable power firsthand on a daily basis. This cemented my desire to pursue a career in Earth sciences and renewables. My experience in Geoscience extends from field work in Iceland with geothermal energy, to my current pursuit of geomorphic research here at the University. I intend to integrate renewables into everyday life and bridge the gap between human activity and the natural world. Many of our communities are left vulnerable after extreme climate events occur, and the outdated, centralized form of fossil fueled power proves to be unreliable. Through living this reality, I understand the urgency to seek sustainable alternatives that honor both our environment and its people. I have been building my interest in this work for over a decade, and will continue to dedicate my career towards creating equitable, lasting environmental change. I deeply appreciate receiving this nomination for the Udall Scholarship and would utilize the funding and network of colleagues to continue with research in this field.

Katherine’s tip: Be personal and authentic when answering the prompts. Demonstrating your character can be equally as important as the academic side of things.

Katherine’s near and long-term goals: I want to pursue research in geomorphology and bathymetry to integrate carbon fixation and renewable energy into high geohazard risk areas. This serves to create sustainable resources that are carbon neutral and mitigate the impact of extreme climate events on vulnerable communities.

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