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LEADERSHIP

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GCC Director 

Hopkins in Meeting

The Global Change Center is led by its Founding Director, Dr. William A. Hopkins. He is also the Founding Director of the GCC’s Interfaces of Global Change, an Interdisciplinary Graduate program.  Dr. Hopkins is the Associate Executive Director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute.

Dr. Hopkins joined Virginia Tech in 2005 and is a Professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.  His research focuses on how anthropogenic threats like climate change affect reproduction and parental care in wildlife, and how these disruptions can affect population dynamics and ultimately biodiversity.  Dr. Hopkins is an award winning teacher and researcher, to include the highest honors offered by his home department, college, the University, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also frequently provides scientific expertise to decision makers in Washington and to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and he has been featured in diverse news outlets to include 60 minutes, NPR, and the New York Times.

 

GCC Advisory Committee

A committee of faculty from diverse disciplines at Virginia Tech provide high-level support and diverse perspectives to the GCC Director. The Advisory Committee is responsible for vetting major decisions that affect the center, identifying new opportunities, ideating new initiatives, and evaluating the progress and efficacy of the Center’s existing programs and procedures. 

 

Current Board Members

GCC Staff

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

GCC coordinator

Under the leadership of the center director, Bri Wills guides the coordination and execution of the Global Change Center's interdisciplinary programs for faculty and students, as well as supports the center's communications needs and engagement.  

Bri went to school at Appalachian State University where she received her B.S. in Sustainable Development with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture. After graduating she worked seasonally in the conservation sector and later as a farmer-florist at a local farm in Newport, VA. Bri has also worked at Virginia Tech as an Event Assistant for the Hahn Horticulture Garden, and for Innovation and Partnerships where she provided administrative and project support to LINK. 

PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

GCC coordinator

Working with the center director and program coordinator, Jess Zielske provides programmatic and administrative support for the diverse activities of the Global Change Center.  

Jess is a Hokie Alum, having received a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech in 2009.  She then worked as naturalist and non-profit manager for the Mountain Lake Conservancy & Lodge atop Salt Pond Mountain in Giles County, VA.  She brings diverse experience to the GCC administrative team, from helping to launch a small local brewery business to honing project management skills gained while working in the tech sector.  She is motivated to embody the "Ut Prosim" spirit and support the mission and research of the Global Change Center by serving the faculty, students and staff of GCC, FLSI and VT communities.