Water@Michigan Leadership | Graham Sustainability Institute

Water@Michigan is led by a multi-sector and multi-disciplinary steering committee with facilitation support by Jen Read at the University of Michigan Water Center and Mike Shriberg with the School for Environment and Sustainability, CIGLR, and MI Sea Grant.

Steering Committee

The Water@Michigan Steering Committee is composed of U-M faculty and staff representing a wide range of schools, colleges, and disciplines, as well as water practitioners from local, state, and federal governments, and NGOs who are engaged in community-centered work.

Jenna Bednar

Research Professor,
U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

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Jenna Bednar

Expertise: Professor Bednar's research is on the analysis of institutions, focusing on the theoretical underpinnings of the stability of federal states. See Jenna’s bio on the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts website.

Mary Beth Damm

Center Manager,
U-M School of Public Health / Detroit Urban Research Center

Paul Fontaine

Program Director
U-M Michigan Engaging Community Through the Classroom

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Paul Fontaine

Expertise: Creating teams of internal University of Michigan resources that partner with outside stakeholders to make progress on our state's most challenging issues. See Paul's bio on the Michigan Engaging Community through the Classroom.

Marc Gaden

Deputy Executive Secretary,
Great Lakes Fisheries Commission / PiTE

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Marc Gaden

Expertise: Dr. Gaden's research interests include the human dimensions of natural resource management; cross-border conflict; governance, agreements, regimes, and institutions to address conflict; collaborative management; natural resource politics and policy; and environmental history. See Marc’s bio at the School for Environment and Sustainability's website.

Casey Godwin

Assistant Research Scientist,
U-M Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research

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Casey Godwin

Expertise: His research focuses on how the elemental requirements of bacteria and algae couple carbon and nutrient cycles in freshwater ecosystems. See Casey's bio on the CIGLR website.

Gabriel Harp

Director of Research and Creative Practice Development,
U-M Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

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Gabriel Harp

Expertise: Supporting/developing new research opportunities and strategic partnerships; and working directly with faculty, staff, and external partners to build capacity and administer the research and creative practice enterprise. See Gabriel's bio on the U-M Taubman website.

Kelly Kowatch

Director of Engaged Learning Office and Adjunct Lecturer in Information, School of Information
U-M School of Information, Engaged Learning Office

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Kelly Kowatch

Expertise: Facilitating transformational, high-quality engaged learning experiences for all UMSI students. I work with students, faculty, and industry and public sector organizations to create mutually beneficial learning experiences within the framework of information challenges. See Kelly’s bio on the School of Information's website.

Theresa Krueggeler

University-Community Collaboratives Manager,
U-M Edward Ginsberg Center

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Theresa Krueggeler

Expertise: Facilitates connections around community-defined issues and priorities that bring together various partners across campus and the region. See Theresa's bio on the Edward Ginsberg Center website.

Josh Miller

Biologist
U.S. Geological Survey

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Josh Miller

Expertise: Aquatic natural resource policy, science, and communication as it relates to Great Lakes restoration and management; co-production of science for management priorities; science translation and communication. See Josh’s bio on the U.S Geological Survey Website website.

Sarah Miller

Collaborative Research Specialist
Graham Sustainability Institute Water Center

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Sarah Miller

Expertise: Facilitating collaborative efforts, designing/supporting educational programming and workshop development. See Sarah’s bio on the Graham Sustainability Institute website.

Evan Pratt

Water Resources Commissioner
Washtenaw County

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Evan Pratt

Expertise: Water quality and quantity management, including implementation, funding, financing, and public policy. As a steering committee member, Evan brings his knowledge and practical experience in building custom, non-academic stakeholder engagement plans to the group. See Evan’s bio on the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner website.

Jennifer Read

Director, U-M Water Center
Co-Chair, Water@Michigan

More about Jen

Jennifer Read

Expertise: Fostering collaborative research between faculty and external partners to inform policy and management decisions in the Great Lakes. See Jen’s bio on the Graham Sustainability Institute’s website.

Mike Shriberg

Professor of Practice & Engagement; Director of Engagement, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) and Michigan Sea Grant (MISG)
Co-Chair, Water@Michigan

More about Mike

Mike Shriberg

Expertise: Great Lakes water policy, clean drinking water provision and building diverse coalitions; campus sustainability leadership and organizational change. See Mike’s bio on the School for Environment and Sustainability's website.

Selena Smith

Associate Professor,
U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

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Selena Smith

Expertise: Plant systematics and anatomy, paleobotany, taphonomy, role of plants in ancient environments See Selena's bio on the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts website.

Virginia Wilkinson

Program Manager
U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, SEAS Sustainability Clinic

More about Virginia

Virginia Wilkinson

Expertise: Over 25 years of experience in urban planning, economic development, mobility and environmental systems. Wilkinson is an innovative strategist, offering executive leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit. See Virginia’s bio on the School for Environment and Sustainability's website.