Susan Clark honored with emerita status
Susan Clark, associate professor of plant and environmental science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 2005, Clark made significant contributions to teaching, research, and community outreach serving as the program director of the college-level civic agriculture and food systems minor and the dietetics program focusing on interdisciplinary and experiential teaching and learning, as well as study abroad experiences.
Her scholarship focused on community-based food systems to enhance food security at the local, state, national, and international level. Clark has served on several executive boards in professional organizations, journal editorial boards, expert review panels, and multistate advisory committees.
Clark was principal or co-principal investigator on more than $3.8 million in research grants on teaching, assessment of student learning, student experiential learning, electronic portfolios, and community food security. She authored or co-authored more than 27 peer-reviewed journal articles, three book chapters, and more than 47 peer-reviewed paper presentations.
Active in many local, state, and national professional organizations, Clark held leadership positions in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Heifer International, the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, Local Environmental Agriculture Project-LEAP for Local Foods, and the Sustainable Agriculture and Education Association.
Clark received many professional honors and awards throughout her career. She was Virginia Tech's nominee for National U.S. Professor of the Year and the National Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty awards. She also received the Heifer International Women in Livestock Award. At Virginia Tech, she was honored with a University Exemplary Program Award, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning's Teacher of the Week, Outreach and International Affairs' Researcher of the Week and Engaged Scholar of the Month, Student Affairs and Residential Life's Favorite Faculty Award, PanHellenic Association's Standout Professor, and Dietetic Educator of the Year.
In the classroom, Clark taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in civic agriculture and food systems, horticulture, and nutrition and nutritional dietetics. She advised or directed 16 students on master's and doctoral degrees and helped them develop successful careers.
Clark received her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky.
