Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s Tracy Colin was named the University of Illinois Student Employee of the Year Runner Up. She has been an assistant for the communication and education components of the program for three years.

“During the time that she has worked in our program, Tracy has worked on a great variety of projects,” said Irene Miles, communication coordinator. “In every task that we assign, she asks intelligent questions to ensure that she will complete the job in a most efficient and effective manner. We are always impressed with Tracy’s attention to detail. She has also demonstrated a professional demeanor in her contact with people outside of our program, whether they be scientists, legislators, agency professionals, or the general public.”

As part of this honor, Colin was awarded a $200 scholarship and a $75 gift card to the University of Illinois Book Store. She will graduate this spring with a major in political science.

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Join the 2026 Great Lakes BioBlitz! 🌎🦋📸Starting Earth Day, educators, students, youth groups, and families are invited to help document biodiversity across the Great Lakes region using iNaturalist. A kick-off webinar is scheduled for April 16th at 2 pm CT.Participate anytime during the four‑week event. Snap photos, make observations, and contribute to real conservation data while getting students outside and engaged with nature. Learn more and get ready to explore: https://sites.google.com/wisc.edu/annual-great-lakes-bioblitz/2026 #TeachingTuesday#GreatLakes
Don’t miss out! Join us for a deep dive into the latest Lake Michigan fisheries science.Topics will include:-Reef restoration impacts on aquatic and fish species-Wild reproduction rates for salmon and trout species from the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program-Fisheries update from the Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesLearn more & register: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86eBlPnbjdm7pPg