UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Vancie Peacock, a Penn State junior majoring in biological engineering, has been awarded a 2023 Udall Scholarship.
The scholarship recognizes U.S. college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to Native American issues or the environment. Udall Scholars are provided with up to $7,000 for academic expenses and are invited to spend five days in Tucson, Arizona, at scholar orientation and have access to the Udall Alumni Network.
Peacock, of Memphis, Tennessee, began her journey in undergraduate research at the Vasco Bioeco Lab in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences. During her first year, she undertook an independent project consisting of a life cycle model to assess the environmental impact of an emerging waste-to-energy technology used on dairy farms. She’s also been involved in a collaborative, interdisciplinary project aimed at designing and building a biofilter to oxidize low concentrations of methane in small spaces. Both projects focus on lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with agriculture, she said, and developing economically beneficial technology for farmers.
“These experiences have familiarized me with emerging climate mitigation solutions in my field and given me soft skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, teamwork and time management,” Peacock said. “The ability to create a life cycle model, a cradle-to-grave approach of assessing the environmental impact of a system, will be instrumental for developing practical climate mitigation solutions in my future career.”
Peacock said she is “passionate about climate mitigation solutions that synergistically address the environmental, social and economic dimensions of agriculture." That includes manure waste-to-energy technologies, which she said are economically beneficial to farmers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
While studying abroad in Thailand, Peacock saw how transitioning from slash-and-burn opium monoculture to regenerative agriculture decreased violence, increased gender equality and promoted economic growth.
Peacock has also been active with the Student Farm and Sustainable Food Systems program, and now serves as the Student Farm Club executive director.
“Its immediate impact on me catalyzed my mission to fully immerse myself in the program’s mission and ensure its accessibility to all Penn State students,” she said of joining the Student Farm Club in her first year.
Her responsibilities have included hosting volunteer days, managing the rooftop garden growing space, pitching a workshop on how to grow microgreens in takeout containers, successfully writing a grant for $200,000 in funding from the Student Fee Board and establishing two scholarships for students to independently study food recovery.
Peacock developed and executed a project to create an on-campus community garden with support from the Schreyer Honors College. Completed in late 2021, the first growing season in 2022 saw 177 pounds of produce donated to students experiencing food insecurity. Next semester, Peacock will teach a three-credit course with Students Teaching Students on “Exploring Sustainability in Local Food Systems.”
“I am very grateful and honored to have received the Udall Scholarship,” Peacock said. “Receiving the award inspires me to continue the work that I do and has further solidified my commitment to making change in the world. I am most excited to meet the other students who received the scholarship at our orientation this summer in Tucson, Arizona!”
About the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The scholarship is open to those who are Native American or Alaska Natives working on tribal policy issues or pursuing health-related careers, and to any undergraduate interested in conservation and environmental issues. To be considered, applicants must be a sophomore or a junior in college and a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
Those interested in competing for a Udall Scholarship next year should contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring (URFM) to learn more about the scholarship program, verify that they meet the eligibility criteria and begin the application process. A pre-application will be due toward the end of the fall semester, and an internal application due in mid-January.
Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.