LEADERSHIP
GCC Director
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
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Dr. William HopkinsProfessor | Fish and Wildlife Conservation
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Dr. Hosein ForoutanAssociate Professor | Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Dr. Kate LangwigAssociate Professor | Biological Sciences
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Dr. Meryl MimsAssociate Professor | Biological Sciences
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Dr. Sterling NesbittAssociate Professor | Geosciences
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Dr. Julie ShortridgeAssistant Professor | Biological Systems Engineering
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Dr. Ryan StewartAssociate Professor | School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
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Dr. Brian StrahmProfessor | Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation
GCC Staff
PROGRAM 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.
