Tatiana (Tanya) Iretskaia is a 2025 recipient of the Homer Higbee International Education Award, which is presented to MSU students and volunteers who have made significant contributions to support global learning, intercultural awareness and an overall appreciation for the opportunities that occur through international travel. 

Iretskaia is a doctoral candidate in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas Management. Last year, she was the recipient of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award. Iretskaia has several peer-reviewed papers published with several currently in review.   

Prior to her studies at MSU, she earned multiple graduate-level degrees in both Russia and France and had an international career as a field biologist, facilitator and trip leader, which led her to visiting over 80 countries.  

Since her arrival at MSU, Iretskaia has been an invaluable member of her community. In addition to her coursework, teaching and research, she’s conducted workshops on cross-cultural communication for a large biological science class, guest-lectured and co-led a group of MSU students on a study abroad in South Africa and Mozambique in June-July 2023. 

“I study peak experiences in nature-based travel, and their lasting impacts,” said Iretskaia. “One year after we came back, I interviewed the students I traveled with to Mozambique to explore what still resonated with them from our trip and why…. I for sure will carry those connections and conversations throughout my academic life.” 

Her contributions during the Mozambique portion of the program are especially noteworthy as Iretskaia coordinated all daily activities, including curriculum and collaboration with local partners in Portuguese—one of several languages she speaks. Several students who participated in the study abroad program shared Iretskaia’s impact on their experiences, and the recurring theme is that their learning was greatly enriched by the wealth of knowledge Iretskaia possesses as well as her exceptional skill as a teacher and experience as a seasoned traveler. 

One student wrote, “Although her job was to teach us about ocean wildlife native to the area, she did so much more than that. Tanya incorporated our experiences from that day into lecture material, making the information personal to us and much easier to retain. She taught us about the culture, language and way of life of people living in Mozambique, ensuring our knowledge was well-rounded and complete.” 

In her letter of nomination, Amber Peters, associate professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife wrote, “[Tanya’s] ability to navigate complex intercultural settings with respect and adaptability, her global experience as a facilitator and her mastery of several languages set her apart as an outstanding ambassador of global cooperation.” Peters is on Iretskaia’s dissertation committee. 

Iretskaia, a self-proclaimed product of international education herself, having gone to school in three different countries: France, the UK and Russia, described the significance of receiving the Higbee Award: “I feel the award reflects who I am and what I care about, and it also represents a meaningful recognition from the university from my mentor Dr. Amber Peters, who believed in me from Day One. I couldn’t be happier and more honored to receive it.”