Five WWU grads receive nationally recognized River Management Society credentials
Five recent Western Washington University graduates earned River Studies and Leadership Certificates from the River Management Society (RMS), a program dedicated to preparing the next generation of river stewards and leaders.
This year’s RMS River Studies and Leadership Certificate cohort is the largest since the program began in 2015, and 16 of the total 100 certificate recipients have come from Western.
2026 graduates Caleb Barville, Paetra Cooke, and Cora Murphy (environmental science, freshwater and terrestrial ecology emphasis); Sage Hagopian (environmental studies, Geographic Information Science emphasis); and Lily Howard (environmental science) are among 22 recipients from seven universities who completed the immersive program this year.
Professor of Environmental Sciences John McLaughlin is the program’s faculty advisor at Western, working with each student to design and complete a personalized plan.
“The River Studies and Leadership Certificate uniquely prepares students for careers in river stewardship by bridging academic study and professional experience, connecting them to opportunities and resources, and equipping them with skills and experience they need to stand out in professional arenas,” McLaughlin said.
Open to all majors, the certificate requires coursework and hands-on field experience in river science, policy, river safety, and recreation, completed through internships, professional employment or independent study. Students also present at the RMS Symposium, WWU Scholars Week, or another approved conference, or submit an article for publication.
“The individualized and interdisciplinary nature of the program guides students to pursue coursework more comprehensively than they might ordinarily within their major,” McLaughlin said. “River scientists need to understand river management, river managers need to understand science, river recreation professionals need to understand both science and management, and all river professionals benefit from insights that river safety and GIS training provides.”
The combination of coursework, field experience, presentation skills, and networking provides a strong basis for students interested in addressing the complex challenges facing our nation’s rivers and opens doors for students to learn about themselves.
“RMS was an opportunity I didn’t know I needed,” said Cooke. “It opened up a world of experiences in the environmental science field I wouldn't have found on my own. Without RMS, I am not sure I would have realized my immense love for working with and protecting our waterways.”
Interested in where river studies or a river-related career could take you? Learn all about the River Studies and Leadership Certificate, which is open to all majors, and College of the Environment degrees.
Jennifer Nerad covers Western's College of the Environment and College of Business and Economics for the Office of University Communications. Have a great story idea? Reach out to her at neradj@wwu.edu.