FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences Renames Mid-Career Award in Honor of David Hassenzahl and Kim Smith
Washington, DC — January 23, 2026 — The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is proud to announce the renaming of its Mid-Career Award as the Hassenzahl–Smith Mid-Career Award, honoring David Hassenzahl and Kim Smith for their extraordinary service, leadership, and lasting contributions to the field of environmental studies and sciences.
The AESS Mid-Career Award recognizes individuals who have made significant scholarly, professional, and service contributions during the middle stages of their careers. Renaming the award reflects AESS’s deep appreciation for Hassenzahl and Smith’s sustained leadership, mentorship, and commitment to advancing interdisciplinary environmental scholarship.
Throughout their careers, Hassenzahl and Smith have been instrumental in strengthening AESS’s mission and community. Hassenzahl is currently Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Interim Dean, College of Agriculture at California State University, Chico. Smith is currently the Curriculum Coordinator for the Program in the Environment at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Their dedication to building inclusive scholarly communities, mentoring emerging leaders, and advancing environmental scholarship has shaped this organization in enduring ways.
This recognition serves not only as a tribute to their individual and collective impact, but also as a lasting symbol of the values that define the AESS community: collaboration, interdisciplinary engagement, and service-driven leadership.
The Hassenzahl–Smith Mid-Career Award will continue to recognize outstanding mid-career leaders whose work reflects sustained excellence in research, policy and activism. The award will be presented annually as part of AESS’s ongoing commitment to celebrating leadership and innovation in the environmental field.
For more information about the Hassenzahl–Smith Mid-Career Award and AESS awards programs, visit aessonline.org/awards.
About AESS
The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) is a professional society dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research, education, and practice in environmental studies and sciences. AESS brings together scholars, educators, students, and practitioners to address complex environmental challenges through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.
Main Contact:
Carolyn Anthon
Managing Director
Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences
canthon@aessonline.org








