Role: Associate Professor, Dept. of Design and Merchandising and Engaged Faculty Lead for the Office of Engagement and Extension, CSU
How are you connected to CSU Spur?
I am one of the project leads for CSU Spur funding to advance Colorado’s regenerative fiber economy through transdisciplinary education and research.
When did you get involved with Spur and why is it important to you?
I became engaged out of curiosity when the Spur team organized listening sessions to discuss Spur’s vision to collaboratively develop a concept for what a 21st-century land-grant university could look like. Subsequently, I had the opportunity to visit Spur during its construction phase as part of the Presidential Leadership Fellows program. With the opening of the Spur campus, I am excited about the opportunities it presents for all Coloradans and the impact that its innovative concept will have globally. It is a unique place that fosters rich learning experiences for all ages. CSU Spur is built with systems thinking at its core, collaboration as its foundation, and innovation driving its growth.
What outcomes have you seen or do you expect from work at Spur?
Spur has become a hub for creative problem-solving to the Wicked Problems that our society faces today. It is a transdisciplinary space that brings together people from community, academia, policymakers, students, and other partners to co-create sustainable solutions to society’s complex challenges. Our project aims to establish a transdisciplinary, multistakeholder, and multi-institutional regional research cluster – Sustainable and Regenerative Fiber Innovation Collaborative to advance Colorado’s fiber industry’s use of regenerative agriculture practices. The vision of SRFIC at Spur is to lead the research and engagement efforts focused on building regional and regenerative textile ecosystems contributing to rural economic development. With our educational programming, we hope to engage and educate lifelong learners about circular economy related to fibers, textiles, and clothing. The hope is to inspire current and future generations to explore the interconnectedness of nature, society, and technology and empower them to be curious and creative problem solvers to the sustainability challenges faced by the global fiber, textiles, and clothing industry.
What would you like others to know about Spur?
Spur is a hub of innovation bringing community together, empowering problem solvers, fostering collaboration, and inspiring minds to create the future that they dream of.
