The Agricultural and Applied Economics Association has awarded the Sylvia Lane Mentor Fellowship to Courtney Cooper, a doctoral student in environmental dynamics with a master's degree in agricultural economics from the U of A. The fellowship provides an opportunity for young female scholars working on food, agricultural or resource issues to collaborate with an established expert at another university, institution or firm.

The Sylvia Lane Mentor Fellowship is awarded annually to one graduate student who will be paired with an established AAEA fellow to conduct research in the field of agricultural and applied economics. As a part of the fellowship, Cooper will be working with AAEA Fellow and past president Dawn Thilmany. Their research project will aim to provide insights into how gender stereotypes affect consumer behavior and purchasing decisions in the craft food and beverage industry. 

"I am very honored to receive this award," Cooper said. "I am excited for the chance to work with Dr. Thilmany and learn from her expertise." 

"This fellowship is a well-deserved recognition of Courtney's outstanding potential as a scholar and researcher," said Trey Malone, assistant professor. "I am excited to see her work with Dr. Thilmany and further develop her expertise in agricultural and applied economics." 

Thilmany is a professor of agricultural economics, co-director of the Regional Economic Development Institute and director of Engaged Research at Colorado State University. She specializes in rural economic development and focuses on opportunities related to value-added food market supply chains, as well as applied research on food market analysis and consumer behavior. Her work on agricultural diversification also includes work with agritourism and entrepreneurship in Colorado and the western United States. 

The Agricultural and Applied Economics Association is a not-for-profit association serving the professional interests of members working in agricultural and broadly related fields of applied economics. The mission of AAEA is to enhance the skills, knowledge and professional contributions of economists who help society solve agricultural, development, environmental, food and consumer, natural resource, regional, rural, and associated applied economics and business problems. 

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.