Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Natasha Way

and I am so thankful to be a Grossman Scholar!
Back in 2012, I’d done one year at McGill University as an undergraduate and I was feeling unsure about what I wanted to study or what work I’d like to do in the future. I felt like I was interested in a thousand things, but not passionate about any one thing. I decided to take a gap year and was accepted into an AmeriCorps program in Colorado. As part of AmeriCorps, we had to complete a certain number of volunteer hours with local organizations. This was my first introduction to VOC. I joined a few other corps members at a VOC trail building day and then attended a few more volunteer days and community events. After a year of volunteering and spending time outdoors in Colorado, it finally came to me. I had always loved the outdoors and had always been concerned about climate change and about our relationships with the natural world. I went back to McGill, got my bachelor’s in environmental health, and moved on to start a career doing environmental work.
It is now almost 10 years since those first days volunteering with VOC. I’ve worked in environmental education, as a guide, and in community sustainability. My career path has curved and twisted, but it’s always been based on my love for the outdoors and my passion for increasing accessibility, while improving environmental awareness and creating a healthier, more sustainable world.
After getting increasingly frustrated with the state of the environment and the lack of progress that our society and our communities were making to tackle climate change, I decided to return to school to get my Master’s in environmental policy. It was finally time to return to Colorado and to the place that had kindled my interest in this field back in 2012.
At CU Boulder, I’m learning about how we can use policy to reduce emissions, improve health, and protect ecosystems. I’m also learning about how all of these things can and must include a focus on equity, inclusion, and accessibility. If we protect a fish, but we don’t protect communities around the river, that fish won’t stay protected for long. When we talk about increasing access to EVs, we need to include efforts to provide charging infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods, even if private companies don’t think it’s worth their investment. When we conserve land for the public, we need to make sure to provide signage in other languages so that the whole public can use that outdoor space. At every step of the way, we need to ask ourselves who is being served from our work and what we can do to pull in new groups and spread the benefits of the outdoors and of a healthy environment throughout our communities and our society as a whole.
Thanks to the funding from the Grossman Scholarship, I am able to explore all of these issues and more. As a working student, I spend a lot of time trying to reduce my debt load from school. This is often time that could be spent at school events or volunteering in my community or visiting professors to dive deeper into exciting new concepts or ideas. By helping to pay my tuition, the Grossman Scholarship is helping to provide me with more freedom to focus on my schooling and to get the most I possibly can out of my opportunity to study with world-class professors. It is thanks to the Grossman Scholarship that I have the freedom to actually go above and beyond in my studies. I am so thankful for this opportunity and can not wait to spend another year learning and exploring in Colorado.
Lia is one of six students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2022-23 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open in October 2022.

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Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Addison Elam

July 16, 2026

Agriculture has always been a part of who I am. As an eighth-generation rancher, I was raised with a deep respect for the land, livestock, and the responsibility that comes with both. From an early age, I learned that taking care of the land is just as important as the work we put into it, and that connection has shaped the path I am choosing for my future. After graduating, I will be attending Otero College, where I plan to pursue degrees in Soil and Crop Science along with Agriculture Business (Agribusiness). I chose these areas of study because I want to better understand both the land and the business side of agriculture. Soil and crop science will allow me to focus on improving soil health, increasing productivity, and managing natural resources responsibly. Agribusiness will give me the tools to make sound financial and management decisions that are necessary to run a successful operation. My passion for these fields comes from growing up in agriculture and seeing firsthand how everything is connected. Healthy soil leads to better crops and forage, which directly impact livestock and the success of an operation. I have learned that caring for the land is not just about today—it is about ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities. Whether it is through conservation practices, responsible grazing, or improving soil health, I want to be part of protecting and strengthening agriculture while continuing to produce food. In addition to my background at home, my involvement in 4-H, FFA, and conservation-related work has strengthened my connection to both agriculture and nature. Through these experiences, I have learned the importance of leadership, education, and sharing knowledge with others. I have also had the opportunity to work on soil moisture monitoring projects and participate in conservation efforts, which have further encouraged me to pursue a career that blends agriculture with environmental stewardship. Receiving this scholarship is an incredible opportunity that will help me continue working toward my goals. It not only provides financial support but also reinforces that the path I have chosen is meaningful. This support will allow me to focus more on my education and gaining the knowledge and skills I need to succeed without as much financial stress. In the future, my goal is to own and operate my own ranch. I want to build an operation that reflects strong business practices and a deep respect for the land. I also hope to work in a field such as natural resources or conservation, where I can continue to apply what I have learned and give back to the agriculture community. I am grateful for the support this scholarship provides. It is not only an investment in my education, but also in my future and the future of agriculture.

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Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Natasha Way

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