the doctoral advisor for Ansel, Ray, Brian, and Paris.
The Urban Forestry PhD Degree Program produced
numerous graduates who have taken on leadership posi-
tions and as such serve as excellent role models for our
Bachelor and Master Degree students, including encour-
aging the latter to move forward with their education.
In the fall of 2020, the Department admitted eleven new
Master Degree students, ten of whom were recruited
thanks to the tireless efforts of Associate Professor
Dr. Yaw Twumasi, who chairs the departmental admis-
sion and scholarship committee. Dr. Twumasi says,
"Recognizing the need to increase the Master Degree
student enrollment and the importance of students
getting an advanced degree as a stepping stone toward
PhD Degree matriculation, I was determined not to let
COVID-19 interfere with recruitment." Master Program
Leader Dr. Qi added, "I am especially excited about the
opportunity that our Master degree program continues
to provide to attract diverse students to SU to pursue
high quality education and professional degrees."
With funding support from the USDA Forest Service, Dr.
Ning created and implemented a Student Leadership
Apprentice Program that launched in the fall of 2020.
Four urban forestry students—Aaliyah Royston, Jordan
Davis, Nick Pryor, and Detrick White—were selected as
the first four Leadership Apprentices. Jordan is mentored
Urban Forestry Alumni Drs. Chappell (far left) and Johnson (center-left, in coat and tie) were invited to address
students in the fall 2019 Introduction to Urban Forestry class offered by Dr. Ning (seventh from left).
Fall 2020 Leadership
Apprentice Award
recipients (from left
to right): Jordan
Davis, Aaliyah
Royston, Nick Pryor,
and Detrick White.
14 CityTREES
