Elroy Webster Cooperative Studies Scholarship Recipients

Laken Mize, from Montgomery, Texas, is a master's student at Texas Tech University pursuing a degree in Natural Resource Management. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in Wildlife Management. Laken's thesis research focuses on eastern wild turkey genetics and the impacts of superstocking on wild turkey populations within the post oak savannah ecoregion of Texas. Collaborating with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, her work bridges the gap between wildlife management and agricultural land use by examining how restoration efforts can succeed on working landscapes. Her research aims to inform science-based management strategies that benefit both game species conservation and the ranchers and landowners who steward these habitats.

 

Laken is passionate about connecting wildlife science with agricultural communities and believes that successful conservation requires strong partnerships between biologists, producers, and rural stakeholders. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive field experience working alongside landowners and agency personnel on projects involving white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, sandhill cranes, waterfowl, and upland game birds.

 

After completing her master's degree, Laken plans to pursue a PhD and build a career in academia, where she can combine her love of teaching and mentorship with research that addresses real-world challenges at the intersection of wildlife management and agriculture. Her ultimate goal is to train the next generation of natural resource professionals while conducting applied research that empowers landowners and agricultural producers to be effective partners in wildlife conservation.

Haven Trunzo, originally from Tennessee, is a master’s student in Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, studying under Dr. Phil Kenkel. Her graduate research focuses on identifying challenges and opportunities within the agronomy departments of farm supply cooperatives, contributing to a broader understanding of how co-ops can strengthen input delivery and producer services.

 

Haven has built a strong foundation in cooperative agribusiness through research and extensive field experience. She has completed two cooperative-focused internships: with CHS in 2024 and with the Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council and a local farm supply cooperative in 2025. Across these roles, she gained hands-on experience in agronomy sales, grain elevator operations, energy services, fertilizer and chemical pricing, and cooperative management. She also maintains her FAA Part 107 certification and has assisted with custom application work using agricultural drones.

 

As a Graduate Research Assistant, Haven contributes to applied economic research examining commodity markets, input cost structures, and producer decision-making. She is actively involved in departmental leadership as an officer in the Graduate Student Association for Agricultural Economics and recently served as a panelist at the 2025 Rural Economic Outlook Conference, where she spoke on emerging AI and technology adoption in rural and cooperative settings.

 

Haven plans to continue her career in the agricultural industry, with aspirations to work within the cooperative system.

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Kayla Braggs, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a B.S in Food Science and a minor in Agribusiness and Michigan State University where she received a M.S. in Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. Currently, she is a 1st-year PhD student at the University of Florida studying Agriculture Communications. Her research focuses on producer-centered policy education efforts for small and medium-scale farmers while also looking at how federal agricultural policy plays a role in agribusiness decisions. 

 

Kayla has been an active member of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) since her freshman year at FAMU. Nationally, she served as the Region II Undergraduate Student VP, National Undergraduate Student President, Past National Undergraduate Student President, Region V Graduate VP and current National Graduate Student President.

 

While completing her masters, Kayla once again hit the ground running. Kayla was selected as an Agriculture Scholar with the Farm Foundation, a featured speaker at a joint MSU DEI Conference in Marrakech, Morrocco, Council of Graduate Student Representative, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) DEI Representative, and one of eight speakers for the inaugural TEDxFAMU talk at her alma mater in January 2023.

 

After graduating with her PhD, Kayla plans to move to DC to work in the corporate agri- food industry in government and stakeholder relations. Kayla’s ultimate goal is to become the Secretary of Agriculture for the U.S. and create a sustainable but equitable environment for all farmers and ranchers.
 

Luiza Lucena is a natural resources scientist pursuing her Ph.D. in Natural Resources Science and Management at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, with minors in Business Management and Development Studies and Social Change. Her research focuses on advancing sustainability within global value chains and strengthening the livelihoods of forest communities, particularly through the development and application of voluntary sustainability standards in the Maya Forest region spanning Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

 

Partnering with the Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management (CINRAM), The Food Industry Center (TFIC), the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC), and the Rainforest Alliance, Luiza conducts fieldwork with community forest enterprises and cooperatives to investigate whether these standards align with community needs and interests. 

 

Through her research, Luiza is gaining firsthand insights into the challenges faced by communities. Her preliminary findings highlight the important role of improved governance and resource management in supporting sustainable forestry and community resilience.

 

Luiza’s professional aspirations include advocating for sustainable food production and cooperative development, with a focus on market access for small producers and policy change to support rural development. 
With extensive experience in Latin American cooperatives and forest communities, she has developed projects to support market access for sustainable products, from agroecological cooperatives in Brazil to community forestry groups in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve.

 

Luiza envisions a career that combines research, education, and advocacy, focusing on inspiring the next generation of leaders in sustainable development while advancing policies that empower cooperatives and small-scale producers.

Summer Santillana, from Leoti, Kansas, is a first year master’s student at Cornell University pursuing a degree in Applied Economics and Management with a focus in food and agricultural sciences.

 

Prior to beginning her masters, Summer served as the Diversity Programs Coordinator for the Kansas State University College of Agriculture from 2021-2024. She has a background in Agricultural Economics, graduating with a bachelor's from Kansas State University in 2021. 

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At Kansas State, Summer was named an Outstanding Senior by the Department of Agricultural Economics, and she received the David and Susan Barton Cooperative Scholarship from the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, she had served as Vice President (2019) and President (2020) of the Alpha of Clovia Cooperative Leadership 4-H House. 

 

Given her background, she has a strong desire to give back to the cooperatives community and has begun to conduct research within the industry under the direction of Dr. Todd Schmit.