GCC Kicks Off 2025 with Spring Forward: Building Connections and Inspiring Ideas

February 7, 2025

On January 31, the Global Change Center (GCC) hosted Spring Forward, its first event of 2025, bringing together 107 attendees, including GCC faculty affiliates, postdoctoral researchers, and Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) fellows. This gathering in Steger Hall was a chance to reconnect, celebrate ongoing collaborations, and discuss new opportunities for the year ahead.

Welcome & Opening Remarks

The afternoon began with coffee and casual conversations in the Steger Hall lobby, setting a relaxed and friendly tone. GCC Director Dr. Bill Hopkins welcomed attendees with updates on the center’s latest activities and exciting opportunities on the horizon. His remarks were followed by a brief overview of the event, emphasizing the importance of community and interdisciplinary collaboration in the face of today’s complex challenges.

GCC Director Dr. Bill Hopkins welcomes attendees in Steger Auditorium

Capstone Project Presentations

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of three IGC Capstone Projects, where students showcased their interdisciplinary research and outreach efforts. These projects provided creative solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges:

Creation of a Canvas Course on Social & Environmental Issues Affecting American Indian and Indigenous Communities

Recognizing a gap in resources about Indigenous American experiences and identities in higher education, IGC fellows Amir M Gazar, Sarah Juster, and Dexter Howard partnered with Dr. Faircloth, Director of the Ati: Wa:oki Indigenous Community Center at Virginia Tech, to develop an educational Canvas course. The course consists of five interactive modules, offering practical strategies for working with Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. After a successful pilot, it launched in August 2024 to help raise awareness and build a more inclusive campus community.

Canvas Course: https://canvas.vt.edu/courses/181876

IGC Fellows Dexter Howard, Amir Gazar, and Sarah Juster present their capstone project.

IGC Reuseful: Workshops on Upcycling and Sustainability

This project promotes sustainability and creativity through hands-on workshops on upcycling and repair techniques. IGC Reuseful aims to engage the Virginia Tech community in practical sustainability efforts while highlighting the environmental benefits of reuse and repair.

IGC fellows Jay Margolis, Megan Harris, Eliza Tarimo, and Mona Abadian organized hands-on workshops to promote sustainability through upcycling. These events created a fun, engaging environment for participants to rethink their relationship with waste and sustainability

YMCA Plant Potting Workshop – Families transformed unused kitchen items into decorated planters while learning about waste reduction.
IGC Clothing Swap – Held during the fall IGC all fellows meeting, this event encouraged conversations about fast fashion while offering an alternative to textile waste.
Library Upcycling Event – Damaged thrift store clothing was given new life as part of an interactive workshop.

IGC Fellows Jay Margolis, Megan Harris, Eliza Tarimo, and Mona Abadian present their capstone project.

Peer Support Science Communication Workshop and Community Open Mic Night

This project began as an idea to create a space where students could connect with the public and practice science communication in a relaxed setting. Collaborating with the Center for Communicating Science, IGC fellows Meredith Snyder, Kathleen Mayer, and Sharif Islam organized an open mic event as part of the Science on Tap series. With over 70 attendees, seven presenters shared their research through creative storytelling. The night was a celebration of the power of accessible science communication and an opportunity for students to practice engaging with broader audiences.

Article by Center for Communicating Science: Science on Tap: Hokie Science Showcase

IGC Fellows Sharif Islam, Kathleen Mayer, and Meredith Snyder present their capstone project.

Faculty Flash Talks: Research Highlights in Five Minutes

The afternoon continued with a series of Faculty Flash Talks, where six faculty affiliates gave brief, dynamic presentations about their work. These talks are designed to strengthen the GCC community by increasing awareness of the diverse research happening across disciplines.

Presenters included:

Dr. Elinor Benami, Agricultural & Applied Economics
Dr. Jeremi Draghi, Biological Sciences
Dr. Elizabeth Hunter, Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Dr. Korine Kolivras, Geography
Dr. Courtney Leisner, School of Plant & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Erich Hester, Civil & Environmental Engineering

Reception: A Time to Unwind and Reconnect

The event concluded with a lively networking reception back in the Steger Hall lobby—a time to relax, reconnect, and celebrate the vibrant GCC community. After an afternoon of learning and sharing ideas, attendees welcomed the chance to unwind.

The casual atmosphere and light refreshments encouraged organic conversations, allowing faculty and postdocs to exchange ideas, students to seek advice, and everyone to catch up on life and research.

More than just a social gathering, the reception served as a much-needed pause from the busyness of the semester—a reminder of the importance of community, especially in challenging times. The energy was fantastic, and many left the event feeling recharged and inspired.