Congratulations to our 2026 Graduates! 

We asked our graduating students about their plans following graduation and the most important thing they learned at CSU. Here are their responses. 

Chelsea Bekemeier 

Staying at ATS for PhD. Ski on weekdays, work on weekends;) OR I am capable of being a scientist (as a first gen science/grad/PhD student). 

Chloe Boehm 

Postdoc at Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany. How to make compelling figures and write interesting papers, and the importance of a strong support system. 

Samantha Greeney 

Staying for PhD. I’ve learned to ask strong scientific questions, grow through challenges, stay curious, and believe in myself as a researcher. 

Tom Juliano 

ATS PhD Program. During my time at CSU, I learned to think critically and independently with the diverse classes, great mentoring, and expertise at this department. 

Lena Low 

I’m continuing onto the ATS PhD program! The importance of strong mentorship and a solid support system. 

Michelle Kanipe 

US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. How to teach. 

Matt King 

Air Force Institute of Technology. The peer-review process when getting your research published. 

Jennifer McGinnis 

Staying for a PhD at CSU! The most important thing I learned was how to take unintended outcomes and turn it into meaningful research. Additionally, I learned how essential a supportive community like the one we have here at CSU is essential. 

Lilly Naimie 

I am moving to Germany in January and still on the hunt for a new position! How to identify and explore interesting research questions. 

Sam O’Donnell 

Postdoctoral Fellow in Systems Engineering at CSU. I learned how to think like a scientist. 

Olivia Sablan 

University of Washington to postdoc. I learned how to do science with a community of scientists collaborating with me. 

Isaac Schluesche 

Energy Meteorologist in London, England. How to identify and try other ideas when initial ones don’t work out. 

Olivia Lee 

I am not sure what I am doing next…. I learned the importance of leaning on your research group! 

Emily Lill 

Trying to find a job 😅. How to work in both very cold and very hot temperatures! 

Killian McSweeney 

I’ll be continuing on to my PhD at CSU working with Maria! To ask more questions and read more papers! 

Madison Shogrin 

Not sure yet 🙂 Admitting what you don’t know is the beginning of real knowledge. 

Daniel Veloso 

I’m going to start a postdoc position with Kristen Rasmussen very soon! Always have a big picture perspective: why my research is important and how it is inserted within a larger context. This helped me to maintain the focus on the main objective and prioritize my work effectively. 

Evan Cowden 

To go be a Weather Flight Commander at Pearl Harbor Hickam AFB, HI! At CSU, I learned to always be a curious student and to ask lots of questions! 

Jared Stickney 

I am moving back to the Midwest in July! The most important thing I learned at CSU was how fulfilling it is to do field work and be part of a team. Collaborating with scientists with a wealth of knowledge and feeling like I had a seat at the table was such a rewarding feeling. Getting to see things that I was learning about in my classes in real-time and contributing to advancing our understanding of ozone formation in the Front Range was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I am so incredibly thankful to my advisor and CSU for allowing me to experience it all. 

2025/26 Academic Year Graduates 

Summer 2025 MS graduates include: Delián Colón-Burgos and Nick Mesa both advised by Michael Bell, as well as, Bali Summers advised by Jim Hurrell. Justin Hudson completed his doctoral degree advised by Steve Miller.