Hello Warner Colleagues –   

I’m excited to introduce the newly revamped Warner Wire — now a platform that provides our community with internal news, announcements, and kudos! The email newsletters you’ve received from the Dean’s Office Programs will now be supported by the launch of the Warner Wire Webpage. This webpage will serve as a one-stop hub for updates and announcements from Warner College and aggregated news from CSU.  

The Warner Wire webpage features stories tailored to our community — everything from kudos and shout-outs celebrating our colleagues to essential deadlines and links for resources. You’ll also find an internal events calendar. Soon, you'll be able to submit your department’s events to promote engagement across the college.  

Be sure to regularly visit the Warner Wire webpage to stay informed about the latest happenings at Warner College and CSU. The email newsletters will be more streamlined and highlight key stories from the webpage, so you’ll always be in the loop.  

I’ll continue to share updates with you all through the monthly Warner Wire Dean’s Digest. Additionally, you can expect regular newsletters from our Dean’s Office groups to share essential resources, updates, and information, and a monthly events roundup.  

Deans Office Leadership Transition: Dr. Rickey Frierson  

I want to share a bittersweet update regarding our Dean’s Office leadership. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rickey Frierson on his recent transition to Colorado State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. In January, he began his new role as Assistant Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, overseeing CSU’s Student Diversity Services and student engagement programs like MURALS. 

Dr. Frierson joined Warner College in 2019 to launch the College’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program as its inaugural director. Under his exemplary leadership, the college’s program quickly became a dynamic force that drove the college’s strategic goals for DEI forward.   

Emphasizing degrees of change and the responsibility of everyone to enhance our organizational culture, Dr. Frierson grew the College’s capacity for DEI work through unit and departmental committees, development and delivery of training and resources. He significantly enhanced external partnerships and relationships to aid in diversifying our faculty and staff demographics. His program ensured that students, faculty, and staff had a trusted resource to understand the importance of DEI for organizational strength and effectiveness and provided ample support to drive positive cultural change at individual and organizational levels. He worked to build capacity to support the International Affairs Committee and Graduate Student Organizations to create stronger outcomes and engagement. The college has made tremendous progress with his support and expertise!  

Dr. Frierson has been an invaluable resource for all of us at Warner College, and his influence has extended far beyond our college. He’s earned recognition across campus as a leader in DEI, positioning the college as a key thought leader in this space. Although we’ll miss his day-to-day leadership, I’m confident his continued contributions in his new role will help drive CSU forward in the same manner. 

Warner College is a stronger community today thanks to his expertise, influence, hard work, and dedication. While Dr. Frierson transitions to his new position, we’re fortunate that he has agreed to remain with Warner College on a reduced appointment as Interim Assistant Dean. This will ensure continued stability and support. We’re grateful for his ongoing dedication and leadership.  

I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your ongoing dedication to fostering Warner College’s positive and inclusive culture. In challenging times, it’s natural to feel uncertain, but it’s crucial that we anchor ourselves in our work, community, and values. Our community is built on mutual respect and support for one another. As you are able, please check in with your colleagues and students. Rams take care of Rams, and I know that Warner Rams take that to heart.  

Together, we can continue to do vital work that benefits our communities, our environments, all species, and humankind. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, your unit lead, or the Dean’s staff for support.  

Thank you all for everything you do!  

Go Warner Rams! 

It's Spring Awards season again in the Warner College! To view the list of awards and how to nominate a student or colleague, please access the PDF below. 

Nominations are now open and are due by end of business on March 21. Winners will be announced and honored at the College's Awards Reception during NR Days in April. 

Ellen Wohl, University Distinguished professor in the Department of Geosciences, published her book Landscapes on Fire: Impacts on Uplands, Rivers, and Communities in Wiley in December 2024. The book is a transdisciplinary exploration of wildfires and their after-effects on different parts of the natural, biological, and human landscape.

Brandon Budnicki, Ph.D. student in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and computer programmer for CitSci, received a Rising Star of the Year Award at the Science Gateways Center of Excellence (SGX3) conference in October 2024. The award recognizes Budnicki’s significant contribution to the launch of the CitSci 2.0 platform.

Two graduate students in the Department of Geosciences received recognition for their work. Masters student, Owen Richardson, published his senior thesis in the Hydrological Processes journal. Shayla Triantafillou, Ph.D. student studying in-channel large wood, was chosen as an Early Career Spotlight winner by the American Geophysical Union. Visit the Graduate Student News section of the Warner Wire webpage to read their stories. 

Julie joins the Colorado Natural Heritage Program with over two decades of experience working in agriculture and natural resources. Before launching her consulting business, Julie led a range of water-focused research and education projects at the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University. Her work also entailed managing the Center’s science communication and outreach program. Prior to joining CSU, Julie worked at the local, state and federal levels where she supported conservation-based initiatives and applied research. Her career has been inspired by her love for outdoor spaces and the impacts that come from meaningful collaboration. Julie serves on Water Education Colorado’s board of trustees, serves as vice chair for the Poudre Heritage Alliance and chairs One World One Water Center’s advisory council.

She earned her B.S. in Environmental Management from South Dakota State University and her M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources from Colorado State University.

Julie enjoys spending time in nature and exploring new and familiar places with her husband, Bryan, and her dog, Barley.

The Multicultural Undergraduate Research Art and Leadership Symposium is an undergraduate research and artistry symposium that provides a platform for  students with marginalized identities to engage in undergraduate research across campus and showcase their scholarly work.  MURALS is inclusive, rigorous, and culturally relevant to all CSU students. 

To ensure that this event is a success in uplifting to the students' work, MURALS is seeking volunteers for the day of the event, March 28, 2025, for multiple time slots between 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

For more information about being a volunteer and signing up, please visit the MURALS website. 

CSU students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us in exploring a broad spectrum of international themes, including (but not limited to) education, One Health, technology, music, art, social and environmental issues, culture, and politics.

For more information about the the symposium, please visit their website. 

Warner College Business Services is your integrated support team for all
Financial Services, Human Resource Services, and Proposal Support Services

To improve HR email management and ensure a high level of service, we're introducing a new process for handling HR inquiries through our Freshservice ticketing system. From now on, please send all HR-related inquiries to WCNR_HR@colostate.edu. This will automatically route your requests to your assigned HR Generalist or relevant team member. Please note that the HR email address remains the same — only the way emails are managed has changed. 

For specific support from Angela Thompson, WCNR Senior HR Manager, continue emailing Angela directly at Angela.Thompson@colostate.edu.  

We also encourage you to use the ticketing dashboard to track and manage your HR requests. Simply visit the dashboard, which can be accessed through the button below,  to view your open tickets. You can also click the top-left menu icon and select “Tickets” to see all your requests. The dashboard allows you to view and comment on your tickets, add more details or ask follow-up questions, and monitor the progress of your requests. 

By using the dashboard, we aim to reduce auto-emails that lack information and give you greater visibility and control over your inquiries. In the future, we will also add guides and tools to assist with HR-related tasks. 

A training session for using the dashboard will be scheduled soon. Please check the Service Portal FAQs below for more information. 

Warner College of Natural Resources raised $6,695,242 in total philanthropic support for CY24 against a goal of $4,250,000. The goal for CY25 is $8,200,000.

The Colorado State Forest Service recently received a $236,000 endowment gift to support fire mitigation and forest health, especially in communities located in forest ecosystems. The new fund, the Chief Robert Schneider Memorial Endowment, is named in memory of a former chief of the Inter-Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, a wildland-urban interface area in the foothills Southwest of Metro Denver. A special thanks to donor Dr. Pete Silvaggio, and to State Forester and Director Matt McCombs for his partnership.

The Warner Development Team would enjoy meeting with your teams during department or center meetings. Please email Danielle Young, Managing Director of Development, if you have availability during an upcoming meeting for them to join you for introductions and conversation.

Colorado State University alumnus Karl Brauneis, who graduated in 1977 with a degree in forestry and range management, has published a book that explores how the Blackwater Fire of 1937 led to lasting changes in firefighting.

On January 8, the Colorado State Forest Service released the Forest Carbon Inventory report, which provides detailed estimates of the carbon captured, stored and released by Colorado’s forests. The report shows that Colorado’s forest carbon stocks are higher and emissions are lower than previously estimated. A team of researchers from the CSFS and the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory developed the report. The Colorado Forest Carbon Inventory includes a data dashboard, podcast, frequently asked questions and key definitions.

The Colorado State University community is invited to attend an open forum on the university’s version 3 of the incremental budget for FY26 Wednesday, February 12 from 4-5 p.m. 

The Division of University Operations will host the hybrid meeting at the Lory Student Center, Room 312, and via Zoom. No RSVP is required, and the session will be recorded. Meeting information can be found on the University Operations website. 

There is an opportunity to propose research teams in one of three categories: interdisciplinary sustainability topic, humanitarian crises, and climate change.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, February 10. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the SoGes website below. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Artificial Intelligence: A Workshop for Warner Faculty, on January 15 led by Joseph Brown, teaching and learning expert at The Institute for Learning and Teaching, and Director of the Academic Integrity Program at CSU. 

If you were unable to attend the workshop or would like to review the materials presented, please visit the webpage below to access presentation slides, the recording, and additional resources. 

and supporting wildlife after natural disasters, especially wildfires. Cath would love to connect with other academics involved in wildlife research and teaching while she is here. She can be reached via email or by dropping by the Visiting Scholars Office in NESB B230.

The Classified Personnel Council is now taking nominations for the annual Outstanding Achievement and Positive Action Awards for exemplary State Classified employees at CSU.  Nominations for the awards are due Friday, February 7, and the Council will be celebrating the nominees and winners at a banquet in April. Visit the Classified Personnel Council website to nominate colleagues for these and other awards. 

The Institute for Learning and Teaching is excited to offer sessions tailored to help CSU faculty members thrive in their roles. These sessions are designed to support faculty success, from enhancing teaching and managing classroom dynamics to connecting with research resources. While open to all faculty, new faculty are especially encouraged to attend. 

Tuesday, March 4 | 5 - 7 p.m.

UCA : Lobby and Organ Recital Hall 

Wednesday, April 9 | 9:30 a.m. - Noon 

LSC Longs Peak 302

Nicki Bailey, ecology master's student, was recognized in the December edition for receiving the 2024 P-IE Master’s Student Achievement in Entomology Award from the Ecological Society of America in November. However, the link to the story did not work. Please read more about her award. 

You are receiving this Warner College digest because you are a member of the College community. If you would like to submit an update, announcement, or kudos for consideration, submissions are due by the last Monday of each month for inclusion in the following month’s digest. Please submit ideas to Director of Communications and Strategy, Rob Novak.