Rachel Szczytko, PhD

Rachel Szczytko, PhD

Contact Me

Pronouns:
She/Her/Hers

CSUS- environmental behavior, collective action, participatory modeling
Department of Community Sustainability

Email:

CV:
File Download

Advisor: Dr. Laura Schmitt-Olabisi

Rachel Szczytko (sit-co) is a social scientist working to improve health and well-being through our educational, environmental, and social systems. Her past work has focused on measurement, evaluation, and learning in outdoor and environmental education. Currently, Rachel is studying climate action and resilience in communities, specifically understanding the role young people play in community responses to environmental and sustainability challenges.

Rachel has over 10 years of experience in the environmental sector which she draws from in her research. She has taught education for sustainability in Whakatīwai, New Zealand, worked as a park ranger in New Hampshire, and evaluated a statewide outdoor science program in North Carolina. She has served on non-profit boards, mentored undergraduate students, and conducted independent research on diverse topics ranging from the craft beer movement to adolescent girls’ science achievement. Rachel most recently spent the past four years working in environmental philanthropy in the Bay Area.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys paddling on the waterways of Michigan or hiking with her dogs and family. She also is an avid reader and loves to receive book recommendations.

Rachel has a M.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Environment from the University of Michigan. She is the recipient of the Michigan State University Distinguished Fellowship and the MSU Environmental Science and Policy Program Recruiting Fellowship.

 

Recent Publications

Simoes Ferreira, B., Carrillo, B., & Szczytko, R. (2022). A phenomenological exploration of the craft beer movement. Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 25(6), 630-651.

Stevenson, K. T., Szczytko, R. E., Carrier, S. J., & Peterson, M. N. (2021). How outdoor science education can help girls stay engaged with science. International Journal of Science Education, 43(7), 1090-1111.

Department Information

Students

Groups, Centers, and Institutes

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).