For Shelli Dubay, professor of wildlife, wildlife isn’t just a field of study but a calling. So is service. After nearly two decades of shaping future conservationists at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Dubay’s passion and persistence have earned her the 2025 University Service Award, one of the institution’s highest honors.
From serving on committees, advising research teams, to helping a student learn to drive, Dubay’s impact at UW-Stevens Point is as wide-ranging as the wildlife diseases she studies.
“Service has always been a cornerstone of my professional career,” Dubay said. “I take great pride in contributing to the success of students, faculty and the broader community.”
A professor in the College of Natural Resources, Dubay’s influence reaches well beyond her classroom. She has served numerous high-level campus committees, including those focused on faculty development, student support and research ethics. She has chaired the Sabbatical Committee, led the search for a new ungulate ecologist and stepped in as interim director of the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife in 2024, all while continuing to teach, mentor and lead research projects.
It is Shelli’s personal touch that sets her apart. Dubay isn’t just a mentor; she is a force behind countless success stories.
Each year, she coordinates internships for up to 30 students, partnering with zoos and wildlife rehab centers to give them field-ready experience. She has supervised nearly 40 undergraduate research teams, guiding students through hands-on studies of bobcats, flying squirrels, mussels and more. Her students don’t just study wildlife; they contribute meaningfully to it.
“Shelli continues to operate as though she is preparing for tenure and promotion,” wrote wildlife faculty colleagues Drs. Christopher Yahnke, Jason Riddle and Justin VanDeHey in their joint nomination letter. “She is truly an invaluable asset to the wildlife program and to all of us.”
Their letter captures the admiration Dubay inspires among peers. “She does not hide who she is, a no-nonsense, outspoken, firm-but-compassionate instructor, colleague, and trusted friend. This resonates with her students and peers.”
Named the Gerald and Helen Stephens Professor of Wildlife in 2024, Dubay’s career shows no signs of slowing. Her recent post-tenure review is filled with collaborative publications involving everyone from undergraduates to state wildlife experts.
That spirit of collaboration extends globally and often centers on one of Dubay’s key passions: wildlife disease. As an active leader in the Wildlife Disease Association (WDA), she helps organize major international conferences and plays a critical role on the WDA’s Student Activities Committee, where she fosters connections between emerging scientists and established professionals in the field.
In January, she launched a new study abroad program in South Africa, aimed at immersing students in real-world conservation and wildlife health challenges. During the program, students worked directly with captive wildlife and explored the relationship between animal health and ecosystem management in a global context.
For Dubay, preparing students to address the complex issues facing wildlife populations, such as emerging diseases and habitat pressures, is a fundamental part of her mission.
“I am proud to contribute to an institution that values service,” Dubay said. “And I remain dedicated to making a meaningful impact.” With her name now among UW-Stevens Point’s most dedicated faculty, Dubay continues doing what she’s always done: mentoring the next generation of wildlife health professionals with purpose, passion and precision. Her work reflects a deep and sustained commitment—not just to the field of wildlife disease, but to the entire campus community, her students’ success and the greater public good.