KNC Trustee Dr. Denise Keele, Associate Professor of Political Science and Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Western Michigan University, received the inaugural Michigan Climate Action Network's (MCAN) Climate Champion Award at the organization's virtual Michigan Climate and Clean Energy Summit in May, 2021. According to the MCAN release, the group created the award to "recognize Michiganders doing exceptional climate and justice work." The Climate Champion Award is given to a professional doing exceptional climate and justice work for an organization, a municipality, or business in Michigan.