Charles Tolbert, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology · Baylor University
Dr. Tolbert's areas of research include social stratification, social demography, rural sociology and quantitative applications.
Small Businesses and Employee Loyalty Restructuring Financial Institutions in Rural/Non-Metro America Social Stratification Social Demography Rural Sociology
Becky McCray
Expert for Small Towns · SaveYour.Town
Practical steps you can put into action right away to shape a better future for your community
Nonprofits Entrepreneurship Social Capital Community Development Small Town
Neil MacKinnon, PhD
Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs · Augusta University
Dr. Neil MacKinnon is a senior university administrator, academic health leader and an expert in population health and public health.
Opioid agonist maintenance treatment (i.e. addictions treatment via Methadone and Suboxone) Opioid Abuse Rural Health Care Access & Delivery Rural Health Medication Error
Mark Holmes, PhD
Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director of Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research · UNC-Chapel Hill
A Professor in the UNC-CH Gillings School of Public Health, with interests in rural health, health policy and hospital finance.
Policy Implementation and Development Patient-Centered Outcome Research Workforce Hospital Finance Rural Health
Dominique Halaby
Director, Business Innovation Group · Georgia Southern University
Dr. Halaby oversees development of Georgia Southern University’s City Center.
Community Development Workforce and Economic Development Non-Profit Organizations Workplace Innovation Rural Entrepreneurship
Steffanie Scott
Professor, Department of Geography & Environmental Management · University of Waterloo
Leading international scholar on food security, food system change, and COVID-19 impacts on the food suppy.
Food Agriculture & Environment COVID-19 (Coronavirus) China Food Policy Local Food Systems
Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini
Assistant Dean/Associate Professor · University of Florida
Jeanne Stacciarini’s research interests are in the area of mental health promotion and health disparities in various populations.
Diversity Population Health Mental Health
Stephen Lisonbee
Assistant Vice President of the Office of Regional Services · Southern Utah University
Specializing in workforce and economic development, community outreach, and leadership development
Partnership Development Workforce and Economic Development Leadership Development Community Outreach Government Relations
Jed Johnson
Managing Director of Aging Services · CARF International
Jed Johnson is an award-winning, national leader in adult- and senior-services arenas.
Senior Transportation Rural caregiving Military or veteran caregiving Adult Day Services Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Dr. Adey Nyamathi
Founding Dean and Distinguished Professor of Nursing · UC Irvine
Dr. Nyamathi conducts studies among vulnerable groups, including homeless, drug-addicted and incarcerated persons and gay/bisexual youth.
Vulnerable Populations Tuberculosis Role of Nursing Hiv/Aids Hepatitis
Don Duke, Ph.D., P.E.
Expert in water resources and pollution control · Florida Gulf Coast University
Don Duke applies science and engineering analysis to policy and management decisions.
Municipal stormwater pollution reduction Industrial stormwater pollution reduction Flood mitigation policy Water Resources Policy Water quality assessment
Rita Osborn
Executive Director of Utah Center for Rural Health · Southern Utah University
Specializing in rural Utah healthcare, community building, and project management.
Community Health Programs Rural Health Care Access & Delivery Property Management Healthcare Grants
Robert Richardson
Associate Professor · Michigan State University
An expert in ecological economics, ecosystem services, food security, and sustainability.
Natural Resource Management Writing and Editing Sustainability Food Security Rural Development
David Todd
Speaker, Trainer , Coach · Toddy Talks
Entertaining and inspiring speaker drawing on two decades of experience across a range of business involvement.
The Characteristics of Successful People Attitude -It's Only Everything The Balloon and the Cactus Attitude Balance and Commitment
David Hess, MD
Dean · Medical College of Georgia
Dr. David C. Hess, a stroke specialist, educator, and entrepreneur, is dean of the Medical College of Georgia.
Stroke Neuroscience Telemedicine Neurology Stem Cell Research
Verena Seufert
Postdoctoral Fellow · University of British Columbia, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability
Scientist interested in all things food and nature. Studying how we can do agriculture better.
Sustainability organic agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Biodiversity Climate Change
Jesmyn Ward
Professor · Tulane University
Critically acclaimed author Jesmyn Ward is a two-time National Book Award Winner and professor of creative writing.
Communication English Creative Writing Media Studies
Rhonda Armstrong, PhD
Professor of English · Augusta University
Professor Armstrong is an expert in Southern and Appalachian Literature, Death and Culture, and Perceptions of Rural America.
Perceptions of Rural America Appalachian Literature Southern Lite Death and Culture
Chip Konrad, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, and Director of Southeast Regional Climate Center, College of Arts and Sciences · UNC at Chapel Hill
Interests include a wide range of climatology and meteorology areas -- tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, winter weather, more.
Climatology Meteorology Extreme Weather Atmospheric Science Heavy precipitation
Denise Schentrup
Clinical Associate Professor/Associate Dean · University of Florida
Denise Schentrup serves as clinical director of Archer Family Health Care, the UF College of Nursing’s nurse-led clinic.
Interprofessional Team-based Care Quality Improvement Rural Health Health Information Exchange