Building Research Skills and Professional Networks
The College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho has made faculty mentorship a cornerstone of student development, pairing experienced researchers with undergraduates and graduate students to deepen their understanding of scientific inquiry and open doors to careers in the natural resources field. Four faculty-student partnerships demonstrate how deliberate guidance shapes both academic growth and professional opportunity.
Chris Zajchowski, an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Society, works closely with doctoral student Amber Hawes on a project that brings practical relevance to classroom learning. Together, they collaborate with Idaho State Parks to develop interpretive themes for each of Idaho’s 30 state parks—determining the stories and meanings that parks want to communicate to visitors. Their work involves analyzing existing park media to gauge how effectively current materials convey the intended messages.
Hawes also co-teaches an environmental communications class alongside Zajchowski, creating a dynamic where the mentorship extends beyond one-on-one guidance into shared pedagogical work. Zajchowski frames his approach to mentorship as rooted in equality and collaboration. “Mentorship is putting people in places where they can be successful and letting them be successful,” Zajchowski said. “It’s a bi-directional relationship.”
From Hawes’s perspective, this philosophy translates into genuine partnership. “When I’m talking with Chris, it feels like an actual conversation,” she said. “I feel very empowered to make decisions.”
From Undergraduate Research to Senior Capstone
In the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences, Armando McDonald, a distinguished professor, mentors Grace Ruble through her senior capstone project. Ruble, a forest and sustainable products major, is developing a thermally modified wood product designed to resist water damage—a practical innovation with potential applications in building construction.
Ruble’s relationship with McDonald spans multiple years. She previously conducted undergraduate research in McDonald’s lab, where she investigated recycled plastics. That foundational experience prepared her for independent work on her capstone, where McDonald’s guidance takes on a different character. McDonald describes his mentorship style as “steering the boat” with students, suggesting a balance between direction and autonomy.
Strengthening Industry Connections
The College of Natural Resources recognizes that effective mentorship extends beyond academics. Faculty guidance helps students gain insight into the scientific process itself—the iterative nature of research, the importance of collaboration, and the relationship between theory and applied work. These mentorships also build professional networks. Students working alongside faculty on real projects develop connections with industry experts and state agencies, advantages that can translate directly into internship opportunities and career placements.
The University of Idaho has invested in several mechanisms to support student development in natural resources fields. The Finance Division offers year-long paid internships to accounting students, and similar professional development programs exist across the university. For students in the College of Natural Resources, faculty mentorship serves as the primary vehicle for building both research competence and industry familiarity.
Zajchowski and Hawes’s work on state parks interpretive themes illustrates how mentorship can directly serve the state. Their analysis helps Idaho’s parks better communicate their ecological, cultural, and recreational value to visitors—work that extends the university’s mission into the broader community.
What Comes Next
The College of Natural Resources continues to formalize mentorship pathways for students at all levels. Ruble’s thermally modified wood project will likely inform future coursework in sustainable materials, while Hawes’s environmental communications research expands understanding of how parks connect with their audiences. As these partnerships mature, they model an approach to higher education in which faculty investment in individual students translates into both personal development and tangible benefits for Idaho’s natural resource management.