News at NAU

Across rural landscapes, agriculture is often portrayed as a way of life rooted in resilience, independence and endurance. Yet behind this narrative, there is an unspoken reality: the growing mental health pressure faced by those who work on the land. For women in agriculture, this strain is compounded by unique social, economic and cultural pressures. Balancing physically demanding labor with caregiving roles, financial uncertainty, isolation and the expectation to remain dependable in…

As climate change drives more frequent and severe wildfires across forests in Alaska and northwestern Canada, scientists are asking a critical question: Will these ecosystems continue to store carbon, or will they become a growing source of carbon emissions? New research published this week shows that when these northern forests shift from coniferous spruce forests to deciduous aspen and birch forests, they could release substantially less carbon when they burn. The National Science Foundation-funded study, led…

A new study from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean has partly revealed why the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami were so devastating—and how scientists may be able to better understand intense disasters in the future. The study, co-authored by NAU associate professor Christine Regalla of the School of Earth and Sustainability, found that at the Japan Trench—a deep…

In the remote wilderness of the American West, where chainsaws and heavy machinery can’t go, fire may become the tool of choice. New research from NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute published in Restoration Ecology shows that managed wildfires in these areas can help restore forest health and lower the risk of future severe fires. As large, unnaturally severe wildfires become more common in the western United States—fueled…

After a three-year hiatus, the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management’s (HRM) Job Shadow Program is back, taking students into the workplace for a day of career learning. This revived initiative pairs students with professionals in the hospitality industry to give them a firsthand look at the responsibilities, challenges and collaboration behind each role. For many students, this is their first opportunity to step inside the environments they’ve only…

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, true career readiness comes from experience. A marketing class at NAU provides students with the opportunity to collaborate directly with entrepreneurs and organizations in need of innovative marketing strategies, equipping them with the skills necessary for success after graduation. McKenzie Cassens, assistant professor of practice at the W. A. Franke…

Learning about a culture from a textbook can give us a glimpse into a different world. However, talking to someone from a different culture will provide us with a more detailed view of their culture and a deeper understanding of our own. Inquiry Into Self and Culture is a unique class at Northern Arizona University that does just that, by pairing…

A new grant will create a visionary program designed to empower high school students to drive real change in their communities. With funding from the National Communication Association’s 2026 Communication Pedagogy Grant , NAU associate professor Zhan Xu and professor of practice Janice Sweeter, along with collaboration from K. Hazel Kwon from Arizona State University and Young Eun Moon from the University of Mississippi, are developing an innovative curriculum to show teens how…

Whether they’re tickling your nose, hugging your eyelashes or melting on your tongue, few winter wonders are as fascinating as snowflakes. The freezing-cold crystals are known for their one-of-a-kind appearances, which can be attributed to the multiple scientific processes that converge during their growth. Water molecules solidify and stick together in the glacial air. As they collect, they craft complex hexagonal…

In an industry where trends shift overnight and innovation has become the standard, NAU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) is reinventing how it prepares the next generation of hospitality leaders. No longer confined to the traditional classroom, students are now immersed in a dynamic learning environment designed to mirror the fast-paced world they are about…