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Utah State University, University of Montana Western Offer New Pathway to River Careers

River Management Society partners with institutions to offer River Studies and Leadership Certificate

The River Management Society (RMS) is excited to announce two new partnerships with University Montana Western (UMW) and Utah State University (USU) benefitting students who are passionate about river science, recreation, and conservation. The institutions now offer the River Studies and Leadership Certificate (RSLC) to undergraduate students at UMW and to both undergraduate and graduate students at USU, bringing them one step closer to landing their dream river careers.

Environmental Sustainability students team up with volunteers to plant willows in the Big Hole Watershed. Photo courtesy of UMW Environmental Sciences Department.

“The certificate helps prepare students for a variety of river-based careers through interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on professional experience, and opportunities to meet and learn from current river professionals,” noted Angie Fuhrmann, RMS River Training Center Coordinator.

Students will get to explore and study river systems in ways that integrate the life and earth sciences, policy and conservation, socio-cultural and economic factors, education, and recreation. The RSLC is a natural complement to UMW’s Environmental Sciences program and to USU’s USU’s Watershed Sciences Department and Restoration Consortium which both help prepare students for river-based careers.

“I am excited for our students and myself to be connected with a network of students, academics, and practitioners invested in river science, management, and recreation,” said Dr. Arica Crootof, the university’s RSLC advisor. “This partnership really helps to expand educational opportunities for our students and offers a supportive community to build new skills and relationships around water.”

Participating students will receive a free one-year membership to RMS, which includes a subscription to the RMS Journal and access to national and regional events including river trips and virtual and in-person workshops. Students will share their river-related work at the RMS Symposium or by publishing an article in the RMS Journal.

“The professional experiences available through the certificate, like a 40-hour applied project and networking opportunities, uniquely qualify students to excel as river-professionals after graduation,” said Dominique Shore, the RSLC advisor at USU.

Students interested in participating in the program should contact the RSLC Advisors at their schools: Dr. Arica Crootof at UMW (Arica.Crootof(at)umwestern.edu) and Dominique Shoe at USU (dominique.shore(at)usu.edu).

Visit https://www.river-management.org/river-studies-leadership  to learn more about the RSLC or to inquire about offering the program at your university. For more information, contact Bekah Price, bekah(at)river-management.org, 423-943-2000.

Published Sep. 6 2022

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