In her first three years at the University of South Carolina, rising South Carolina Honors College senior Ella Michel (BARSC, environmental policy and conservation ’26) has already addressed challenges at the intersection of energy, environment and community. Her cross-disciplinary research and engagement with stakeholders have proven successful in the short term — and show promise for her upcoming work and its potential impact.
A native of Flossmoor, Illinois, Michel and Honors classmate Tina-Maria Sandoval co-founded the USC Home Weatherization Program in 2024 with nearly $5,000 in support from the Youth Climate Action Fund. Michel and Sandoval recognized the burdensome energy costs many South Carolinians face and the inefficiencies that can be addressed with small-scale improvements. Together, they trained USC student volunteers to help improve the energy efficiency of seven Columbia-area homes.
“We think about other countries when we talk about energy inequity, but these problems are here, and we want to help alleviate those burdens,” Michel says.
She will continue doing so in the coming year with a 2025 Udall Undergraduate Scholarship — one of the most prestigious national awards in the United States. It provides each awardee $7,000 that can be used toward tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board.
In addition to Michel, USC celebrates the Udall honorable mention of fellow Honors College junior Jordan Jeffreys, a Stamps Scholar majoring in geological sciences and anthropology who hopes to become a lawyer specializing in environmental and tribal law.
Confirmation of commitment
The Udall Scholarship is awarded to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to the environment or Native American nations. The careers of its namesakes Morris K. and Stewart L. Udall had significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.
“I strive to bridge the gap between energy accessibility and ecological integrity through policy-driven solutions in the pursuit of a sustainable future where both people and the planet are protected,” Michel says. “I plan to eventually do this work on a national scale, where I hope to take on a leadership role at a nonprofit organization. There, I will spearhead initiatives that advocate for, analyze and design forward-thinking energy policies.”
Michel’s dual research assistantships underpin her long-term vision. Under geography professor Connor Harrison, she is evaluating energy insecurity in the Southeast, exploring whether polices reflect the needs of ratepayers in an effort to inform policymaking. In the Department of Political Science, she is contributing to a report on rhetorical strategies regarding health and the environment in state legislative campaigns, and in the process has developed an understanding of the barriers to renewable energy uptake nationwide.
Her work to date also earned Michel the Harris Pastides and Patricia Moore-Pastides Sustainability Award and a Fishman Family and Komito Scholarship based on her interest in law.
Next, Michel will connect with Udall peers and alumni to forge connections and foster collective momentum. She’ll also have ongoing access to the Udall alumni network, an association of change-makers working in environmental fields, tribal policy and Native health care.
I plan to eventually do this work on a national scale, where I hope to take on a leadership role at a nonprofit organization. There, I will spearhead initiatives that advocate for, analyze, and design forward-thinking energy policies.
“Working with Ella has been a joy, and I’m delighted that she has received this national recognition of her commitment to tackling energy insecurity,” says USC Director of National Fellowships Jennifer Bess. “Her combination of academic study, original research and meaningful community engagement shows what’s possible when good energy policy is rooted in both accessibility and ecological responsibility.”
Michel’s advice to other students interested in competitive awards is to stay connected with their passions rather than overthinking particulars.
“At times, I felt pressure to say the ‘right’ thing, scrupulously reading essays from former applicants, wondering how I could write something that measures up,” Michel says. “At some point, I learned to let go of what I thought other people wanted to hear, and I just wrote about something authentic to me. It was at this point that I actually felt proud of my application and really saw myself reflected in it.”
Udall Scholars by the numbers
- 55 scholars and 55 honorable mentions were chosen from a pool of 381 candidates
- USC can nominate up to four students
- Total USC Udall Scholars since it began in 1998: 18
- Total USC Udall Scholars since 2015: 5
Students seeking national scholarships are assisted by National Fellowships and Scholar Programs. For more information, visit the National Fellowships and Scholar Programs website or call 803-777-0958.