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MSU Sociology PhD student wins ESPP award for leadership, mentorship

March 5, 2026 - Karessa Weir

Tiffany WilliamsTiffany Williams, a doctoral student in Sociology and Environmental Science and Policy, has been selected for the 2025-2026 ESPP Student Leadership and Mentorship Award.  
 
Williams was selected for the award by the Environmental Science and Policy Program (ESPP) Graduate Program Council and conferred by Dr. Lifeng Luo, ESPP Director and Professor of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences.


“Your leadership is evidenced by your roles as President of the Black Graduate Student Association and your long-term service on the ESPP Student Leadership Council, where you coordinated key events like the student research symposium,” wrote Dr. Luo.  

“Furthermore, you have demonstrated a strong dedication to the development of others through you work as a peer mentor for fellow graduate students and your role as a graduate assistant helping to lead education abroad programs in Tanzania.” 

Williams will receive a certificate and $500 at the ESPP annual award ceremony in April.  

Carla A. Pfeffer, Chair of the Department of Sociology, said: “Tiffany continues to do excellent work across multiple fields. This well-deserved award is the second Tiffany has received for her leadership in the past month. It’s great to see her recognized by both the MSU Graduate School as a Leadership Fellow and now by the Environmental Science and Policy Program Graduate Program Council through this Student Leadership and Mentorship Award.”  

Williams' research interests fall under the umbrella of environmental sociology, including environmental racism, environmental justice, climate change communication, environmental communication, and religion and environment.

She holds an M.S. in Environment and Natural Resources, a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Management, and a B.A. in Strategic Communication from The Ohio State University. Her Master’s thesis analyzed the intersection of race, religion and environmental concern among Black and white Americans.