How long have you been at Hofstra?  
 Since the fall of 2011

Academic specialty? 
Sustainability Studies, Suburban Studies, Geology

Major publications/accomplishments: 
Dozens of papers/book chapters; three books. 

Interesting hobbies?
Making my own socks. You can find me wearing them most days.

Why did you go into your field?
To make the world a better place.  I was conducting research in rural areas of the Midwest and found them greatly impacted by agricultural pollution.  That started my interest in trying to understand how humans impact the natural systems of our planet.

Favorite campus activity: 
Earth week activities.

Why? 
We bring people from the community to campus to have a dialogue around the environment.  I love showing students the work that is being done in the local area.

Favorite class to teach: 
Anything with sustainability in the title.

Why?
Students are excited about sustainability and improving the world.  I get to teach them how they can make a difference.

Why do you like to teach?
I love helping people achieve their goals.

Favorite thing about NY/Long Island region: 
I love the amazing botanical gardens and arboreta that are in the area.  My two favorites are Planting Fields Arboretum and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.  Of course, our campus is a beautiful arboretum as well.

Favorite campus eatery: 
The University Club.  It’s nice to sit down and have a pleasant meal in a quiet space.  Plus, the club has vegan options on the menu.

Favorite campus spot: 
I love the new Hofstra Student Garden area near the Netherlands.  I also am a fan of all of the sculpture in nature on campus.  While I really like the pieces in the main driveway (near the three bears sculpture), the quiet space near the Henry Moore sculpture has to be among my favorite spots. 

What do you hope your students learn from you?
That they can make changes in the world through their activism and that there is hope for a greener planet.

What general advice about college would you give students? 
Get involved with campus activities and get to know your professors.  This is probably the only time in your life that you will have easy access to the nation’s leading thinkers.  Don’t waste it. 

What general advice about life would you give students?
Think about life and your career as a vocation.  A job will come from finding a path that makes sense for your own personal values and interests.

Best Hofstra memory: 
Being on a panel on the environment and the elections with Van Jones for the 2012 Day of Dialogue.

Favorite (short) Hofstra story: 
Larry Levy the Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, Chris Niedt in the Department of Sociology, and I were asked by President Rabinowitz to help with the writing of Long Island Economic Development Plan.  Through this effort, I was able to meet some of the key political and business leaders on Long Island that helped inform the development of our Sustainability Studies program so it is of value to our region.

What do you take the most “Pride” in:?
The commitment of Sustainability Studies students to improve our planet’s sustainability.

What have you found as your “Purpose”?
My purpose at Hofstra is to educate and develop the next generation of green leaders who will provide leadership as we transition into a greener economy and into a world challenged by a variety of environment problems, particularly global climate change.