The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of a 2025 Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship. The $10,000 fellowships are designed to support active Society members in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study.

This year’s class of fellows represents a group of 12 students spanning a number of academic disciplines from science and technology to arts and humanities.

The 2025 Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellows are:

• Ganesh Acharya, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Jasmine Chananna, Eastern Michigan University
• Krysten Cruz, Texas State University
• Elizabeth R. Goldberg*, Texas Tech University
• Sandra Richy John, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Enya-Kalia Jordan, Texas Woman’s University
• Jiye Kwon, Yale University
• Margarita Torres Nowlin, Lamar University
• Kwaku Duah Oppong, The University of Texas at Austin
• Naresh Sah, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Ridwan Islam Sifat, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Sonita Simelus, Mercer University

*Missy Hopper Dissertation Fellow

“Congratulations to the outstanding recipients of the 2025 Dissertation Fellowship. This award recognizes their commitment to the love of learning and their dedication to research and discovery, and we are honored to support their academic journey. I look forward to seeing how their work contributes to the advancement of knowledge and makes a lasting impact in their fields,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Bradley Newcomer.

The recipients were selected based on a number of criteria including how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, the significance of original research, and endorsement by the dissertation chair.

Established in 2014, the dissertation fellowships are part of the Society’s robust award and grants portfolio, which gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship Program and this year’s recipients, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”  For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7777

Young Volunteers Coordinate National Bottle Recycling Effort, Keeping Over 76,500 Plastic Bottles Out of Landfills

DoSomething’s “Binfluencers” in California, Texas, and Louisiana Work to Address Recycling Issues In Their Communities 

DoSomething.org, the hub for youth-centered service and impact, new Talking Trash campaign  educates and equips Gen Z and Gen Alpha with the knowledge and tools to improve recycling in their communities and beyond. While some states have advanced recycling systems, others like California, Louisiana, and Texas lag in recycling rates, while producing high waste volumes. These states represent significant opportunities for impactful change.

Talking Trash aims to provide young people 25 and under with information that explains the state of recycling in their community, and then equips them with the tools needed to get engaged in recycling actions in their community through changed behavior and local action. This initiative is designed to mobilize young people to collect and recycle over 76,500 bottles in communities across the U.S., and share  their impact with the DoSomething community to inspire others to join the recycling movement.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE: https://dosomething.org/action/50-bottles

As part of this effort, DoSomething collaborated with online influencer Summer Dean (@climatediva) and DoSomething member Katelyn Knox to create an engaging and creative PSA to demystify recycling and spark a new recycling movement for today’s young people.

WATCH THE PSA HERE: https://youtu.be/KX62rSh5A-s?feature=shared

DoSomething is offering an opportunity  to earn a $1,000 scholarship to participating BInfluencers nationwide. Here are stories of two DoSomething members taking action to recycle in their communities:

• Arman D., a DoSomething member from California, shared their experience saying: “My proposed solution is a community campaign called “Recycle Right,” focused on educating people about proper waste segregation. The campaign would include creating simple, visual guides for what can and cannot be recycled, distributing them in neighborhoods, schools, and online platforms. We could also organize fun, interactive workshops and challenges, like “Sort It Right” competitions, to engage people and teach proper recycling habits in an enjoyable way. Additionally, the campaign would work to improve signage on recycling bins, making them clear and consistent. Volunteers could monitor bins in public spaces and provide friendly reminders to encourage correct recycling. This solution will be effective because it addresses the root problem: lack of awareness and clarity. By educating and involving the community, we can create a sense of responsibility and make recycling a habit, leading to less waste contamination and a more sustainable future.”
• Aria M., a DoSomething member from Texas, added: “The City of Dallas requires residents to drive to specific scrap yards and e-waste plants to recycle car parts and electronics, making recycling inaccessible for those without access to a car. To address this, I plan to create dedicated community drop-off zones for these materials, with regular pickups. I would partner with Okon Metals to manage recycling logistics and collaborate with local dry cleaners to recycle metal hangers, incentivizing residents to participate. Additionally, I would advocate for updating the Dallas website to recommend local metal recycling facilities like Okon Metals instead of instructing residents to throw metal car parts in the trash. To raise awareness, I would host metal drives in each Dallas district with Okon Metals, providing an opportunity for residents to recycle stockpiled, non-dallas-accepted recyclable metals.”

“Did you know that 73% of people in the U.S. have access to recycling, yet only 43% of households are participating? We can do better,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org. “If we were to fully recycle the 20 million tons of household recyclables that are thrown in the trash, we would reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. We’d achieve the same effect as taking more than 20 million cars off U.S. highways – all from recycling!”

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CONTACT

Madison | madison@unbendablemedia.com

Handshake, the career platform for Gen Z, released its 2025 Internship Index outlining the current internship landscape. Based on survey data from over 6,000 students and recent grads, plus job creation and application trends from across the Handshake network, there are several trends shaping the internship outlook for students.

Competition is rising

Internship competition has significantly increased. By January 2025, 41% of the Class of 2025 had already applied to at least one internship through Handshake; compared to just 34% of the Class of 2023 at the end of their senior year.

Meanwhile, more students are competing for fewer positions as internship availability dropped by more than 15% between January 2023 and January 2025.

The tech and professional services industries are especially competitive, receiving about twice as many applications per internship compared to the overall average. These sectors have seen internship postings decline by more than 30% since 2022, but maintain extremely strong applicant interest.

Timing is everything

September and January are peak intern recruiting months for most industries, but smaller employers tend to recruit year-round. Government, manufacturing, and transportation sectors also frequently hire outside these core fall and spring recruitment seasons. Prospective interns who worry they’ve missed their chance to land a summer gig should consider expanding their industry interests, or pursuing opportunities with smaller-name companies.

Four steps to succeed in the job search

Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Education Officer at Handshake and career expert, shares her four steps for any student looking for an internship or full-time job.

1. Curate Your Documents: Your resume, cover letter, and Handshake profile are your personal brand story. Focus on both breadth and depth to showcase who you are.
2. Do Your Research: Build knowledge at both macro and micro levels. Understand industry trends and hiring timelines, but also dive deep into specific employers and roles.
3. Network Strategically: Connect with industry professionals, alumni, and peers. Even a 15-minute virtual coffee chat can open doors. Remember, networking doesn’t end when you get an offer.
4. Start Your Search: …but only after completing steps 1-3. The biggest mistake students make is skipping research and networking, then wondering why they’re not hearing back from applications.

Internships remain a powerful tool for shaping career goals and building professional pathways. Want to learn more about navigating today’s internship landscape? Visit a university career center and explore the Handshake app.

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About Handshake

Handshake is the career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.

Media Contact

Heidi Hagberg
Heidi.hagberg@joinhandshake.com

Program supports Business, Economics and STEM students in the United States and United Kingdom

BOSTON, MA (March 18, 2025) – Global consulting firm Charles River Associates (CRA) today announced the opening of the third cycle of the CRA All-Access Scholarship, an annual talent development pipeline program that supports twelve students pursuing degrees in Business, Economics or STEM with $5,000 awards.

Originally launched in the United States in 2023 as a program of the company’s All-Access Initiative, the All-Access Scholarship has since expanded to the United Kingdom and awarded scholarships to student members of CRA’s partner, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO London). To be eligible, an applicant must be attending an accredited university as a full-time college sophomore/penultimate year student and majoring in Business, Economics or STEM with an overall GPA of 3.5. (US) or 2.1 (UK). Ideal candidates demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, community service, and financial need.

“The All-Access Initiative and Scholarship reaffirm CRA’s commitment to increasing access to business, economics, and STEM for high-achieving students from all backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need,” said Raquel Tamez, CRA’s Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer. “We want to support these students in persisting with their studies and achieving their academic goals. I encourage all eligible applicants to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to further their education and future careers.”

The 2025-26 CRA All-Access Scholarship application deadline is April 25, 2025. For more information and to begin the application process, interested students should visit crai.com/cra-all-access-scholarship.

This program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc., an independent company that specializes in managing sponsored educational assistance programs.

About Charles River Associates (CRA)

Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout the world. Detailed information about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA International, Inc., is available at www.crai.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Media Contact

Carissa Willcoxon
Director of Marketing | ISTS
cwillcoxon@applyISTS.com
(615) 777-3735