CANR members honored with 2025 MSU All-University Awards
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EmailThis April, MSU honored CANR members — Hui Li, Elizabeth Perry, Jacquelyn Jacobs and Phil Kaatz — at the All-University Awards. Emily Sorroche was honored as a recipient of an Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
This April, Michigan State University honored members of the CANR community for their outstanding work and contributions at the All-University Awards. Four individuals — Hui Li, Ph.D., Elizabeth Perry, Ph.D., Jacquelyn Jacobs, Ph.D., and Phil Kaatz — were recognized at the April 7 awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center. Additionally, Emily Sorroche, Ed.D., was honored as a recipient of an Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award earlier this year.
Hui Li, Ph.D., received the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, which honors faculty for their comprehensive and sustained record of scholarly excellence in research and/or creative activities, instruction and outreach. Li is a professor of Environmental and Soil Chemistry in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. His research focuses on the fate, transformation and environmental impacts of substances such as personal care products and pesticides. Li's work advances the understanding of fundamental environmental processes in water and soil and contributes to developing innovative environmental remediation technologies. He has published over 170 peer-reviewed articles in major environmental science, engineering and soil science journals.
Elizabeth Perry, Ph. D., and Jacquelyn Jacobs, Ph. D., received the Teacher-Scholar Award, presented to faculty members who have earned the respect of their students and colleagues for their devotion to and skill in teaching and whose instruction is linked to and informed by their research and creative activities.
Perry is an assistant professor in the Department of Community Sustainability and the director of the Park Connections Lab. Her applied social science research spans site-specific to regional levels and often includes interdisciplinary approaches, mixed methods of inquiry and cross-scale contributions. She and her team provide visitor use management data, linking it to broader contexts and exploring themes like stewardship and place identity. Perry's work aims to sustain meaningful connections with various audiences, including visitors, underserved groups, partners and local communities.
Jacobs, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science, is a dedicated researcher and educator in companion animal behavior and welfare. An MSU alumna, she joined the faculty in 2018 and has been instrumental in developing the first companion animal program in the department. Her research focuses on enhancing the human-animal bond, reducing stress and improving the welfare of shelter animals. Jacobs is also passionate about advancing student learning and engagement and supporting the professional development of educators. She advises two student clubs, coaches the MSU animal welfare judging teams and co-facilitates a learning community to assist peers in instructional methodology.
Phil Kaatz is a recipient of the Distinguished Academic Staff Award, which honors the outstanding achievements of professionals serving the university in advising, curriculum development, outreach, extension, research and teaching. Kaatz is an MSU Extension field crops senior educator based in Lapeer County. He specializes in statewide forage production, covering fertility, pest control and harvest management for alfalfa, grasses, mixed hay, cover crops and corn silage. He also works with local farmers growing field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, dry beans and sugar beets. Additionally, Kaatz coordinates a 26-week virtual program during the growing season, offering timely, science-based information on pest and crop management for farmers, agribusiness professionals and others in agriculture.
Emily Sorroche, Ed.D., was honored with an Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Individual Award earlier this year. As the CANR Office of Culture, Access and Belonging associate director, Sorroche creates and promotes professional development programs and training tools to empower supervisors and administrators. She facilitates educational and networking opportunities for members across the CANR community and collaborates with various CANR and university partners. Sorroche has also served as the principal investigator for the USDA-funded Growing Native American Student Pathways into Agriculture program and has advocated for the Native American population at MSU and across Michigan.
