Carla Carlson, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) and special consultant in the provost’s office, was recently recognized and honored by the American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a Distinguished Fellow and advocate for sustainability in agriculture and natural resources. She was elected for seminal contributions in fostering engagement between academic researchers, policy makers, students, and the public on issues of sustainability, particularly in agricultural and biological sciences. AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of Science.

Carla is working toward her Ph.D. in educational policy and administration in the higher education track at the University of Minnesota.  Her research focuses on the influences of the emerging field of sustainability science on faculty research, teaching, and public engagement.  She holds undergraduate degrees in biology and journalism and a master’s degree in liberal studies, with an emphasis on the interface of science and religion. Her adviser is Professor Melissa Anderson.