Posted: 5/4/2026
Mott recognized for innovating in SNR graduate studies
By Ronica Stromberg
Brooke Mott has been using her 2021-2023 experience as a master's student in the School of Natural Resources to better the experience of today's graduate students.
As the school's recruitment and retention coordinator for almost two years, Mott has streamlined processes and furthered communications and connections with students. Still, she said she was surprised when she heard she would receive a staff recognition award at the school's April 11 spring banquet.
"I almost teared up a little bit, because I had been feeling a little overwhelmed, that I'd maybe taken on too many projects that may or may not be useful," she said. "To have that email come through when I didn't even know that I had been put up for award made me feel very appreciated and like I am where I'm supposed to be right now."
Mark Burbach, the human dimensions professor who advised Mott in her master’s program and nominated her for the award, said he had been struck by how she continued to elevate the support she provided School of Natural Resources students and faculty.
"Brooke has consistently improved every aspect of her work—streamlining office operations, strengthening communication with students and faculty, enhancing coordination with Graduate Studies and other departments and developing valuable tools and resources," Burbach said. "I often find myself thinking, 'This is such a great idea. Why didn’t we do this sooner?'"
One such idea, the Graduate Student Milestone Planning Timeline, Mott recently finished drafting online. She said she hopes to roll out one timeline for master's students and one for doctoral students by summer.
The calendar-like timelines include deadlines for important milestones in students’ programs and suggestions for when to tackle smaller tasks along the way. Students may get an idea of when they might start tasks like filling out their memorandum of courses, forming a supervisory committee and writing their proposal.
"It's just a thing that they can put up on the wall and think, 'OK, this seems like I have so much time, but it actually goes really fast, and about now is a great time to start working on this,'" she said.
The Office of Graduate Studies and the School of Natural Resources have much of this information on various websites, but Mott said the amount of information can overwhelm students when spread across websites. She said they may may feel bad about not knowing the answer to a question and hesitate to ask.
"I really want them to be able to feel like they have everything they need at their fingertips and feel confident going forward," she said.
She has also been working on placing a resource board outside her office on the ninth floor of Hardin Hall to list the dates of major milestones for graduate students. She stated plans to set out any related forms and handouts with helpful tips and examples for filling out the forms. She also plans to include a frequently asked questions section on the board and list names of employees to contact for help on topics like using university copiers.
She has been encouraging students to visit her office by setting out candy and other freebies for them and has been trying to maintain an open-door policy.
"I just want them to feel appreciated and that they can come to me to talk about anything, whether it be venting, some advice about their program, helping organize, and I think the students are using that opportunity," she said.
She has received feedback from students that they feel she is someone they can come to and that she will work to find answers quickly, she said.
"I really try to work together with the students and their advisors to find answers and put our best foot forward to create the best situation for them," she said.
She has increased involvement with the wider School of Natural Resources community by chairing the school's social committee and encouraging graduate students to take part in those events. The committee organizes the First Friday events, casual get-togethers for about an hour on each month's first Friday to chat, drink coffee and eat doughnuts, muffins or bagels. The committee hosts at least one big event a semester, like the talent show last December and the book swap in February. They also help out with the February Wellness Challenge.
Mott said she would like to develop a buddy system for the school's international graduate students, who make up about a third of the 90 to 100 students enrolled each year. She said she has been busy, though, keeping up with changes on travel and visa restrictions and helping students find up-to-date resources.
On her own time, she has been learning American Sign Language and said she would welcome the opportunity to use it to speak to deaf students.
For all graduate students, she is working to smoothen processes so they can focus on their research, fieldwork and studies.
"I just want to do everything I can to avoid them ever feeling that something is more difficult than it needs to be," she said.
Burbach noted Mott provides an exceptional level of dedication and professionalism in her role.
"Brooke is committed, an advocate for students, and deeply empathetic—qualities that are essential for someone in her position," he said. "She is a tremendous asset to the School of Natural Resources, and we are truly fortunate to have her."