Laura E. R. Peters, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Oregon State University (OSU) who researches how deeply divided societies build knowledge about and act upon contemporary social-environmental changes and challenges, including those related to disasters, climate change, and health. Laura leads the Disasters in Divided Societies Lab at OSU, and serves as an Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Risk and Disaster Risk Reduction at University College London (UCL). She is the Research Director of Stema, a disruptive London-based research group pioneering new approaches to global health challenges. Her applied research on disaster risk reduction, disaster diplomacy, and environmental peacebuilding seeks not just to reduce and mitigate risks but also to co-develop explicit strategies that strengthen social-environmental sustainability and justice, support community and planetary health and wellbeing, and build durable peace. Prior to OSU, Laura was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University College London cross-appointed to the Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction and the Institute for Global Health, and at American University in the School of International Service. She earned her PhD in Geography at Oregon State University, MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University, and MA in International Development and Cooperation at Korea University.

Dr. Zachery Spire's current research focuses on community and public engagement at Oregon State University (OSU). Before joining OSU, his roles include a variety of research, teaching, training and service positions within universities in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Residential universities, student and staff residential life, and student and staff engagement are a particular focus of his work.

Dr. Marina Denny provides leadership for driving university-wide, community engaged scholarship and community engagement best practices. She works closely with the Associate Director for Extension to support the role of Extension and Engagement within the university, Oregon communities, regionally and internationally. This includes seeking opportunities for greater collaboration and integration across colleges and divisions, while engaging community partners and stakeholders in developing reciprocal and mutually beneficial solutions to real-world issues.

Dr. Nordica MacCarty is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Richard and Gretchen Evans Professor of Humanitarian Engineering at Oregon State University. She also serves as Executive Director of Aprovecho Research Center. Dr. MacCarty's research focuses on developing technologies and metrics to assess the environmental and social impacts of household energy systems, particularly for cooking and heating, in both global and local contexts. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and received OSU’s 2020 International Service Award. Her work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA, and NSF. Dr. MacCarty also directs OSU’s Humanitarian Engineering program, co-advises Engineers Without Borders at OSU, and is Associate Editor of Energy for Sustainable Development.

Stephanie Ramos is Associate Director of Undergraduate Research at Oregon State University. A first-generation college graduate from Texas, she holds a BS in Chemistry from Texas Tech and an MS in Inorganic Chemistry from OSU. Stephanie previously coordinated OSU’s STEM Leaders Program and served as Academic Coordinator at UC Santa Barbara’s ONDAS Student Center. Now pursuing a Ph.D. in Science Education at OSU, her research focuses on institutional support for community college students in undergraduate research. She is active in organizations such as SACNAS and the American Chemical Society’s Younger Chemists Committee.

Dr. Rachel Jones is the Student Engagement Coordinator for OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. She manages undergraduate research programs, advises student leadership, and co-leads a service-learning trip to Puerto Rico. Her current focus is on expanding access to experiential learning for Ecampus students using inclusive, equity-driven approaches. Rachel is dedicated to fostering student success and belonging across diverse learning environments.

Dr. Ashley J. Holmes is Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at Oregon State University, where she leads the Center for Teaching and Learning. Formerly a Professor of English at Georgia State University, her scholarship focuses on writing studies, research methodologies, and place-based learning. She is the author of Learning on Location(2023) and co-editor of Learning from the Mess (2024), with work published in numerous rhetoric and writing journals.

Victor Villegas is the Technology and Media Support Coordinator for Oregon State University Extension and a leader in digital inclusion efforts across the state. He plays a key role in the Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition, fostering strategic partnerships to address digital access and equity for underserved populations. Known for his work connecting technology, education, and community engagement, Victor brings deep experience in collaborative, equity-driven initiatives that promote broader impacts in both urban and rural communities.