Student Engagement
Student engagement is a core aspect of our Center's work. We invite you to explore some our graduate student learning cirlces, graduate student dissertations and thesis, postdoctoral research, and undergraduate student research and independent study that students have produced in collaboration with our Center.
The Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation hosts monthly learning circles as a space for graduate students at Virginia Tech to foster dialogue, build community, and enhance interdisciplinary professional development skills centered around food systems work. These opportunities also serve as an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and reflection around pressing issues related to the Center’s work and graduate student research.
As a collaborative affinity space for graduate students, learning circles are designed to foster interdisciplinary and meaningful dialogue. Each learning circle installment will focus discussions on graduate student research presentations and topics relevant to personal and professional development skills. The structure of these learning circles is tailored to build on the knowledge and experience of graduate students in various phases of their academic journey to support collective inquiry and meaningful learning exchange.
Spring Semester Dates & Locations
- Tuesday, February 4th, 3:00-4:00 PM
Graduate Life Center, Meeting Room D - Tuesday, April 8th, 3:00-4:00 PM
Graduate Life Center, Meeting Room C. - Reading Day Study Session on Thursday, May 8th, 1:00-4:00 PM
Litton-Reaves Hall, Room 1830
Join Us!
If you are interested in joining these conversations or want more information, please contact Madisen Plunkert, mplunkert@vt.edu. No registration is required. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Madisen at least 10 days prior to the event.
Justice Madden (2024)
“Seeds That We Keep: Grounding Seedkeeping Praxis for Growing Black Food Futures in the Mid-Atlantic.” Master Thesis, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg VA. Retrieved from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/cf7fcdea-d8b3-4c04-a005-8fa18e7edd22
David Smilnak (2024)
“A Critical Systems Case Study in Agricultural Technology Development at the Land-Grant University.” Dissertation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Retrieved from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/2094ace1-d14a-412c-840e-897a8035715e
Nicole Nunoo (2023)
“The collective agency of Black farmer organizers in Virginia advocating for racial justice in the food system.” Dissertation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Retrieved from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/e9150b41-f4cb-4ccf-8f62-160edc3dc1a9
Funded by Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Graduate Research Grant
Kasey Owen (2023)
“Municipal Level Food Systems Planning for the Impacts of Climate Change.” Master Thesis, Virginia Tech. Blacksburg VA. Retrieved from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/8dbd10a0-0d14-4e8d-9d6c-28f36c044bcf
Pratyoosh Kashyap, PhD
“Increasing Access to Wholesale Markets for Historically Underserved Producers.” USDA- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
Lia Kelinsky-Jones, PhD
“Supporting Food System Resilience in Central Appalachia: A Participatory Policy Project.” USDA- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), with Standard Grant conversion in 2024.
Tatum Lonack – “National Scoping Review on Urban Agriculture”
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Global Food Security and Health Pathway Minor
Katy Schurtz – “Resilience at the Local Level: Mapping Food System Planning in Central Appalachia”
Environmental Conservation and Society
Iris Layman – “Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Podcast Series”
School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Abigail Schulken – “Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Podcast Series”
Department of Biological Sciences
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Em Shawish – “Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Podcast Series”
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Darby Welbaum– “Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Podcast Series”
Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Phoebe Pyles– “Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation Podcast Series”
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Global Food Security and Health Pathway Minor
Sara Deason – “Virginia Tech Food Systems Curriculum Compendium and Vignettes”
Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Hunter Hilbert – “Food Systems Stories in the Pandemic”
Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Phoebe Pyles – “Food Systems Archival Research Project”
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathway Minor
Global Food Security and Health Pathway Minor