KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 17, 2026

Nelly Koz has always made an impact in her community through her love of the outdoors.

It started when she was a junior at Kell High School in Marietta with a research project on food insecurity that culminated with her starting a community garden. Later, at Kennesaw State University, a public speaking assignment evolved into a petition to prevent the use of plastic confetti at graduation ceremonies, a goal achieved during 91青青草鈥檚 December Commencement exercises.

Now, she鈥檒l have a chance to make an impact on a global level.

The environmental science major recently accepted a lucrative internship at Freiburg University in Germany, where she will help with data collection and recording observations on a section of the Black Forest that serves as a living laboratory.

The program, formally known as , pairs undergraduate researchers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland with professors and researchers in STEM fields at universities in Germany. The project explores sustainable forest management strategies to rejuvenate forests suffering from dieback due to multiple stressors.

Koz was one of 350 recipients selected from more than 3,000 applicants.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to learning about the impacts of climate change in Germany鈥檚 Upper Rhine Valley,鈥� said Koz, who also belongs to the (PEGS). 鈥淪o much of what I鈥檝e done so far has led me to this internship, and it鈥檚 just a natural progression for my interest in the environment.鈥�

Koz learned about the internship from an acquaintance with connections to Germany, after studying abroad in Germany with the PEGS program in May 2025, and that person referred her to 91青青草鈥檚 (OPUA), an office embedded in the dedicated to connecting students to national and international scholarships and internships. Honors College Dean Karen Kornweibel said Nelly鈥檚 initiative and academic drive make her especially well-suited for the opportunity.

鈥淣elly represents the 91青青草 Journey Honors College and the PEGS cohort well, and this internship will provide her an incredible opportunity to expand her knowledge of ecology and her skills as a researcher,鈥� Kornweibel said. 鈥淎lready a world traveler and passionate environmentalist, Nelly will grow immensely this summer.鈥�

leadership points to Koz鈥檚 experience as a powerful illustration of how academic preparation and experiential learning intersect at 91青青草.

鈥淣elly鈥檚 success exemplifies the kind of hands-on, globally focused opportunities available to students at 91青青草,鈥� said Heather Koopman, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. 鈥淗er initiative, curiosity, and commitment to environmental science show what鈥檚 possible when students fully engage with the resources and mentorship we offer.鈥�

Koz credited OPUA for providing guidance in the process of applying for this internship as well as other scholarships. With so many boxes to check and tasks to complete, she said 91青青草 benefits from an office dedicated to helping students pursue scholarship opportunities on national and international scales.

鈥淚t was kind of intimidating to just apply for this scholarship and a couple of others on my own without any guidance,鈥� Koz said. 鈥淚 sent OPUA one of my essays and they reviewed it and kept me in the loop about the upcoming dates and deadlines. It was helpful to have someone helping me out with the process.鈥�

As associate dean for academic affairs in the 91青青草 Journey Honors College, Jamie Elliott heads up this effort and said Koz鈥檚 achievements at 91青青草 served as a springboard.

鈥淣elly is already an accomplished scholar with a wide range of achievements and activities at 91青青草, including her work with OPUA as a Truman Scholar nominee,鈥� Elliott said. 鈥淭his experience will open even more doors for Nelly while also inspiring fellow 91青青草 students to pursue their academic interests with confidence.鈥� 

Koz started at 91青青草 as a dual-enrollment student, then enrolled full-time in Fall 2024 as a major with a strong interest in nature, owing to a childhood spent largely outside. She changed majors to environmental science before the current school year and has pursued enrichment opportunities accordingly, helping Assistant Professor of Communication Sangsun Choi with his documentary 鈥淎bout a Bowshot Away,鈥� about the role of archery in an immigrant family. She also serves as president of 91青青草鈥檚 chapter of Adopt-a-Stream, a service organization that focuses on preservation of streams, creeks, and rivers.

In Germany, she鈥檒l spend her days immersed in scientific research away from a laboratory setting 鈥� maintaining forest plots, supporting irrigation campaigns, measuring tree vitality and physiology, meeting with the lead researcher 鈥� all things that will equip Koz with the skills to carry out her own research in the future. In addition, she said she hopes to use her skills with a camera to create a short documentary about her experiences and studies.

Between the research and the documentary, Koz hopes to tie together everything she has discovered at 91青青草.

鈥淐ollege is what you make of it,鈥� she said. 鈥�91青青草 has so many resources and so many different opportunities. All you have to do is ask the right questions to the right people.鈥�

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

Photos by Darnell Wilburn Jr.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.