External Advisory
Council: Visions and Perspectives
By Elisa Livengood
Dr. Ronnie Best served as chair of the EAC during the 2005-2006 academic year. Currently, he is coordinator of the Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science Program for the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Dr. Nick Aumen is the residing chair of the EAC for the 2006-2007 academic year. He is an aquatic ecologist for the Everglades National Park and is an adjunct professor of biology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. |
The School of Natural
Resources and Environment has shown tremendous growth and progress
since its creation as a virtual college in 1994. Since that time, enrollment
into SNRE has increased from 21 students to approximately 133 Masters
and
PhD. candidates. The success of SNRE can be attributed to the input
of many organizations and individuals, but several individuals have
been outstanding in their support of the program. Dr. Ronnie Best and
Dr.
Nick
Aumen are two examples of individuals who have contributed greatly
to SNRE program development. Best and Aumen, past and current chairs
respectively of the SNRE External Advisory Council (EAC), have shaped
school programs
and policy since the EAC was founded. They offer their insight into
where
they would like to see SNRE develop in coming years.
"The
role of the council is really to bring our expertise from various sectors
to provide
advice and suggestions
to faculty and staff," Aumen said. "We would like to see the EAC become a very useful tool for SNRE to help seek additional resources and funding".
Due to their
diverse backgrounds in the various sectors of resource management,
Aumen believes the advisory council can continue to bring
different perspectives
to the SNRE leadership and aide in the progress of the school. Both Aumen and Best would like
to see the university continue to increase their support of interdisciplinary
education through SNRE. Using their leverage, the EAC is actively encouraging
university administration to provide additional space for the school.
As a virtual school, with over 275 dual faculty members in 56 host departments
of SNRE, the diversity can leave many students feeling disconnected with
their department and their peers.
"There is no common area for students and faculty to meet and foster that interdisciplinary approach, "Aumen said. "By creating a regular space for the School of Natural Resources and Environment, there is the ability to increase that sense of community for students and faculty to come together."
Best agrees, "There needs to be a solid foundation. The school can still be virtual, but must have a solid foundation." Best believes once the school has a solid foundation there exists an opportunity for redefining positions as joint between home department and the school.
EAC's next priority will be obtaining more constituent involvement in SNRE and strengthen the extension service that the school provides. "This is one of the areas that the council has really focused on," Aumen said. "As there are new developments in the state and new problems in areas such as agriculture and natural resource management, we look ahead to help identify and make those connections so we can bring SNRE to bear on those current issues".
"It is clear to me that the EAC members and SNRE have similar thoughts for promoting sustainability in the development of human and natural systems. This requires an integration of planning, policy, and science," Best said.
With this integration into all
aspects of natural resources, the school can further communicate to its
constituency methods to progress towards a sustainable future.
The External Advisory Council (EAC) is an outside committee of professionals that plays an important
role in advising the School of Natural Resources and Environment deans and directors by providing insight and
recommendations to the school. The EAC's main purpose is to aide in the exchange of research ideas, education, and
findings with regard to natural resource sustainability and the environment for SNRE and our constituency in Florida,
the nation, and the world. The council consists of a diversity of stakeholders that have varied backgrounds in Natural
Resources including leaders in the sectors of private industry, government, non-governmental agencies,
and academia.
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For more information on the other members of the SNRE External Advisory Council.
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