Alana Jewel Miller-Schofield, a dedicated fisheries researcher and conservation advocate, was selected as the graduating student speaker for Lake Superior State University’s commencement ceremony.
A tribal member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Miller-Schofield graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Management with a fisheries concentration, a minor in Marine and Freshwater Sciences, and an associate degree in Natural Resources Technology.
Miller-Schofield was also part of the inaugural class of master’s students in LSSU’s Fisheries and Wildlife Management graduate program. Her research focused on sex-specific population characteristics of Lake Sturgeon in the St. Marys River, contributing to conservation efforts for the culturally significant species known as Nmè.
Passionate about protecting natural resources and supporting stewardship, Miller-Schofield expressed her intent to pursue a career as a fisheries biologist working with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s natural resources department.
While at LSSU, Miller-Schofield worked as a Student Hatchery Technician at the Center for Freshwater Research and Education fish hatchery and as a Student Research Technician on projects exploring coastal wetlands, freshwater mussels, and Lake Sturgeon conservation. These roles allowed her to collaborate with state, federal, provincial, and tribal agency personnel while gaining hands-on experience in research and natural resource management.
She also earned national certification through the Society of Freshwater Science Taxonomic Certification Program, demonstrating professional-level proficiency in identifying freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates.
In addition to her academic and research achievements, Miller-Schofield remained active in student organizations throughout her time at Lake State. She served as President of the LSSU Art Club and Vice President of the Conservation Biology Club, highlighting her passion for connecting science, conservation, and creativity.
Her accomplishments earned her several scholarships, including the Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship, the TC Energy Indigenous Scholarship, the Kim and Nancy Strawe Fisheries & Wildlife Scholarship, and the Detroit Area Steelheaders Fisheries Scholarship.
As student speaker, Miller-Schofield addressed her fellow graduates during the commencement ceremony, reflecting on their shared experiences and encouraging them as they embarked on their next chapter.