The Shelby Scholars program has selected two students from the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering as members of the 2026-27 cohort.
Heather Hutchcraft, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering with a public policy minor, and Blake Schickel, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, are two of 40 students chosen from across the University.
The Shelby Scholars program is a prestigious leadership program for undergraduate students passionate about public policy and service. Led by the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership, the program focuses on nonpartisan, interdisciplinary programming and experiential learning for students from all academic disciplines.
“I hope to pursue a career focused on critical infrastructure resilience, emergency management, and national security strategy and law,” said Hutchcraft. “Learning directly from policymakers, leaders and scholars across sectors who have navigated these complex systems firsthand will be an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding and strengthen my ability to contribute to these fields.”
Hutchcraft is an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Leigh Terry, studying the impacts of weather events, human activity, and infrastructure on groundwater quality and public health. She will spend her summer with the U.S. Geological Survey as an administrative operations assistant within the Observing Systems Division.
A key pillar of the Shelby Scholars mission is inspiring future leaders through innovative curriculum and networking opportunities with state and national leaders.
“I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have constant and personalized access to the Shelby Institute staff,” said Schickel. “Being able to seek guidance from Chancellor St. John and the broader Shelby community is an impactful resource for me as I navigate through the beginnings of a new career.”
Schickel previously served in the United States Army as an infantry sniper in the Scout Platoon of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment before coming to UA. He is currently pursuing a career in optomechanical engineering and continuing an internship with Nightforce Optics as an optomechanical design engineer intern for the second summer in a row.