WVU Junior Wins $7,500 Udall Scholarship for Public Service

A West Virginia University student who spent childhood summers exploring the outdoors just became one of 65 students nationwide to win a prestigious $7,500 Udall Scholarship for environmental leadership.

Colin Street, a junior from Morgantown and WVU Student Government Association president, earned the national award recognizing college students committed to public service and environmental issues. He's only the seventh Udall Scholar in WVU's history and the first since 2021.

Street isn't just collecting accolades. The triple major in political science, environmental and energy resources management, and multidisciplinary studies has one clear mission: making life better for West Virginians.

His work already shows real impact. As a freshman intern in former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's office, Street noticed how limited resources hampered state policymakers. He saw elected officials sharing offices and lacking staff needed to serve constituents effectively.

Street turned that observation into action. He conducted independent policy research for Monongalia County Delegate Evan Hansen, studying how other states regulate data centers and examining ways to strengthen community protections around water usage and local oversight.

The research led somewhere concrete. Street worked with a bill drafter to write several proposals introduced during this year's legislative session, directly connecting his classroom education to solutions for his state.

The Ripple Effect

Street's approach to leadership extends beyond environmental policy. As SGA president, he's building civic engagement among college students by showing them institutions can create positive change in their lives.

His philosophy? If students learn to expect meaningful action from their college government, they'll demand the same from actual institutions after graduation. Street sees this as essential to combating political apathy among young people.

Street draws inspiration from the scholarship's namesakes, former U.S. Representatives Morris and Stewart Udall, who emphasized steady, incremental public service. He doesn't believe change requires one world-altering action.

"As long as you take the steps needed to make individual people's lives better, eventually you will reach that goal," Street said.

His hometown roots keep him grounded. Street recognizes West Virginia's deep cultural connection to coal and natural gas while acknowledging the environmental and health impacts these industries create. He believes respecting workers' contributions and addressing industry harms aren't mutually exclusive goals.

The $7,500 scholarship will support Street's continued education as he works toward a career in environmental policy.