Scott Presidential Chair of Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes leaders representing various identities, voices and perspectives. List any identities, voices and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and anything else you feel comfortable sharing.

I would bring the perspective of a scientist and leader whose career has been dedicated to community service and to building inclusive, international scientific communities. Through leadership roles in the World Climate Research Programme, U.S. national science organizations, and major research institutions, I have worked closely with colleagues from many countries, cultures, disciplines, and career stages. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the different barriers, opportunities, and aspirations that shape participation in science globally.

I also bring the perspective of someone who has worked intentionally to broaden participation in Earth and space science—through mentoring early career scientists, supporting more holistic graduate admissions, partnering with diversity initiatives such as the AGU Bridge Program, and helping create institutional structures that promote equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Equally important, I bring experience bridging communities: across disciplines, across sectors, and across generations, with a commitment to listening carefully, recognizing excellence in all its forms, and ensuring all voices are heard.

Volunteer experience that you feel relates to this position:

Long-standing volunteer leadership within AGU, including service as Atmospheric Sciences section President; member of the AGU Council and Finance and Investment Committee; and AGU College of Fellows Mentoring Network participant. Through service on AGU honors, awards, and leadership search committees, and leadership roles in the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the World Climate Research Programme, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Meteorological Society, I have been committed to recognizing excellence, mentoring scientists, and strengthening an inclusive scientific community.

The College of Fellows Chair-Elect partners with the Chair and Past Chair to engage AGU Fellows in advancing the vision, values, mission and goals outlined in the AGU Strategic Plan. The Chair is also a member of the AGU Council which is a diverse forum of perspectives that meets throughout the year to provide input to the AGU Board, staff, and other parts of the organization. Three communities within the Council—committee / College of Fellows chairs, section leaders, and students and early career scientists—serve different roles in AGU and bring unique viewpoints to ongoing discussions.

The College of Fellows has a unique opportunity to engage Fellows in service of AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals. How would you work in partnership with other leaders and staff to achieve that?

The College of Fellows can advance AGU’s strategic plan by mobilizing the experience, credibility, and global perspective of its Fellows in service to science, our profession, and society. If elected Chair-Elect, I would work closely with the Chair, Past Chair, AGU staff, and Council members to ensure the College is an active partner in delivering on AGU’s mission and goals.

My previous service as President of the Atmospheric Sciences section, and on the AGU Council and Finance Committee, gave me an appreciation for AGU’s collaborative leadership model. The Council is strongest when leaders from different sections, career stages, and backgrounds bring perspectives to shared challenges. As Chair-Elect, I would work with section presidents, student and early career representatives, committee leaders, and AGU staff to identify where the College can add greatest value, align Fellow-led activities with AGU priorities, and build mechanisms for communication, feedback, and accountability.

I would focus on three priorities aligned with AGU’s strategic plan. First, to help catalyze discovery and solutions, I would strengthen the College as a resource that provides interdisciplinary expertise on emerging challenges. Second, to promote an inclusive scientific culture, I would expand the role of Fellows as mentors, sponsors, and advocates for future leaders from all backgrounds. Third, to partner broadly across sectors and regions, I would leverage the international networks of our Fellows to strengthen global collaboration and engagement.

I believe the College’s greatest contribution comes when experience is transformed into service, partnership, and action for AGU and the communities we serve.