From Student to Teacher:
How MSI Fosters a Culture of Growth

Like many Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) employees, Mike Remke and Emily Swindell began their careers as interns for the organization. MSI provides the unique opportunity to get hands-on research experience on large-scale, longitudinal studies.  

Mike’s experience with MSI began as an internship in 2010. While attending Fort Lewis College, Mike was able to participate in research on how plant communities respond to the dust on snow in alpine environments. He then set-up forest plots (such as the one in this photo) near Dove Creek, which remain active MSI research sites a decade later. After earning his Ph.D. in Forest Science from Northern Arizona University, Mike began a full-time position with MSI as a Forest Research Associate in May 2019.  

At the same time Mike started, Emily joined the team as a Collaborative Forestry Intern with the Four Corners Federal Lands Internship Program, also after finishing school at Fort Lewis College. She enjoyed the position and, according to Emily, was “psyched to stay as a full-time employee since it meant working in my field of biology while doing science with a great organization.”  She now works as a Forest Program Associate. Emily and Mike’s main project is with the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC). The ASCC San Juan site is north of Pagosa Springs on Jackson Mountain in a dry, mixed-conifer forest. Emily is a crew leader and helps collect, organize and manage data from the sites. 

MSI’s primary objective at the ASCC site is to study the shrubs and understory  in order to understand their effects on climate change. “Most foresters traditionally believe that managing trees is an effective strategy for enhancing forest resilience – but we are learning that might not always be true because of the strong shrub responses,” Mike described. He mentioned that the research at Lone Pine may help make forests more resilient to beetle outbreaks, and MSI is collaborating with the US Forest Service to further study these dynamics. The main factors leading to the spread of beetles in a ponderosa pine system are tree density and diversity of age classes combined with drought conditions.  

Just as the roots of our research deepen, so do the branches of MSI’s outreach and education. Our staff feel both accomplishment and momentum in their transition from intern to full-time employee. Even more so, this growth opens the door for additional education and mentorship opportunities. For Mike, one of the most rewarding aspects of working for MSI is getting the opportunity to work alongside the next generation of scientists. “My favorite thing about working with students and interns is not being a teacher, but being a student to their perspectives, ideas, and life experiences,” says Mike. “If they are interested in pursuing a career in research, it is so cool to show them the process of field research.” Hannah Millsap, our newest team member on the Forest Crew, said, “You always find people in the nonprofit world who are passionate about their work and subject matter, but it is more rare to find those who are equally dedicated to their workers and helping them achieve their goals.” 

There is a holistic relationship between the education opportunities within our research and the way our projects initiate change. Whether it be through  forests and beetles or mountains and mines, MSI simultaneously cultivates both professional development opportunities for our employees and scientifically based recommendations for decision-makers. This is what defines MSI. It is empowering for our staff to create research projects, collaborate with  and educate the next generation of scientists, and then offer results to land managers and policymakers that initiate change. Our work is comprehensive, inclusive, and impactful. Thank you to Mike, Emily, Hannah, and all those before and to come. 

You make the magic of MSI.   

Kelly Northcutt is the Communications and Event Coordinator for MSI