In my teaching, research, and work as a practitioner, I focus on fostering grassroots engagement at the community level to create positive social and environmental outcomes. As faculty in the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England, I teach courses on political economy, sustainability, leadership, service learning, and project management.
I am the Associate Director of the Environmental Studies PhD program and co-direct the Institute for International Conservation, which promotes sustainable and just global conversation solutions through education, service, and research. I also direct the International Service Program that enables students to combine their master’s degree study with Peace Corps service. I work with AUNE’s Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience to assist communities in preparing for and recovering from climate impacts. In the spring of 2019, I founded the Alliance for Youth Climate Leadership at AUNE, which supports the next generation of climate advocates to lead, collaborate, and innovate for a just, resilient, and thriving planet.
My research centers on supporting the voices of marginalized groups in participatory planning and decision-making. In conducting research, I rely on a participatory action research approach, working in collaboration with communities to create tangible change.
Outside of Antioch, I am also a founding board member of TerraCorps, a non-profit organization that works at the intersection of land conservation, food systems reform, and environmental justice. I earned my PhD in Environmental Studies at AUNE in 2016. Prior to joining Antioch, I held a variety of positions in the environmental field, including serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Armenia.
- PhD, Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England
- MS, Forestry, Michigan Technological University
- BA, Emphasis in Music Performance and American Cultural Studies, Goddard College
Trainings and Certifications
- Certified Teacher Trainer (Project Learning Tree) 2009 – Present
- Certified Awareness Trainer (Leave No Trace) 2009 – Present
- Certified in Chain Saw and Cross Cut Saw Operation (USFS) 2009 – Present
- Certified in Project Design and Management (United States Peace Corps) 2007 – Present
- Certified Interpretive Guide (National Association for Interpretation) 2009 – 2010
- Rhoades, J. L., Gruber, J. S., and Horton, B. (2019). Promoting the Resilience of Older Adults Through Participatory Climate Change Adaptation Planning. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 16(3).
- Rhoades, J. L., Gruber, J. S., and Horton, B. (2017). Developing an In-depth Understanding of Elderly Adults’ Vulnerability to Climate Change.
The Gerontologist, 1-11. - Gruber, J. S., Rhoades, J. L., Simpson, M., Stack, L., Yetka, L., and Wood, R. (2017). Enhancing climate change adaptation: strategies for community engagement and university-community partnerships. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 7:10-24.
- Tuler, S. P., Webler, T., and Rhoades, J. L. (2016). Stormwater Management in a Time of Climate Change: Insights from a Series of Scenario-Building Dialogues. Weather, Climate, and Society, 8(2):163-175.
- Rhoades, J. L., Demyan, S., and Orr, B. D. (2011). Impacts of deforestation and land cover change on mountain soils in Hrazdan, Armenia. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 30(7):677- 696.
- Rhoades, J. L., Glocke, E., Visser, T., & Hatzel, C. (2019). Win-win-win: Using the climate compatible development approach to maximize positive impact. Youth Climate Leadership Academy, Fairlee, VT, December 5, 2019.
- Rhoades, J. L., Anderson, D., Perez, L., & Ulmer, J. (2019). Climate impacts and inequality: understanding who’s at highest risk and how to help. Resilient Vermont Conference, Norwich, VT, June 7, 2019.
- Rhoades, J. L., Loosigian, J., Hatzel, C., & Visser, T. (2019). Climate change storytelling and communication workshop series. Keene High School, Keene, NH, April, 2019.
- Gruber, J. S., Rhoades, J. L., & Watson, D. (2018). Collaborating on climate: how local governments and non-profits can partner with and benefit from universities. Local Solutions: Eastern Climate Preparedness Conference, Manchester, NH, May 2, 2018.
- Simpson, M., Bolduc, J., & Rhoades, J. L. (2018). The nuts and bolts of conducting a vulnerability assessment. Local Solutions: Eastern Climate Preparedness Conference, Manchester, NH, April 30, 2018.
- Rhoades, J. L., & Jones, T. (2017). Enhancing the resilience of seniors in your community. Weathering Change: Local Solutions for Strong Communities Webinar Series. October 18, 2017.
- Rhoades, J. L. (2017). Conducting participatory climate change adaptation with vulnerable groups: lessons learned. Annual Conference of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium. Birmingham, AL, September 26, 2017.
- Simpson, M., Abrash Walton, A., Herring, D., Rhoades, J. L., & Daniels, C. (2017). Building local capacity to respond to the impacts from a changing climate. National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment. Washington, DC, January 25, 2017.
- Rhoades, J. L. (2016). Engaging vulnerable groups in participatory climate change adaptation planning. Local Solutions Presentation Series. Keene, NH, December 8, 2016.
- Rhoades, J. L. (2016). Remaining resilient. Student graduation speaker. Antioch University New England, Keene, NH, May 14, 2016.
- Rhoades, J. L. (2016). Utilizing a community-based action research approach to incorporate vulnerable groups into climate change adaptation planning. Doctoral colloquium speaker, Antioch University New England, Keene, NH, May 6, 2016.
- Gruber, J. S., & Rhoades, J. L. (2014). Enhancing climate change adaptation partnerships: How can higher education support local communities? Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences 2014 Conference, New York City, NY, June 4, 2014.
- Rhoades, J. L. (2008). Causes and implications of deforestation in the Republic of Armenia, a case study. D-80 Conference, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, November 8, 2008.
- Political Economy and Sustainability
- Leadership for Change
- Ecological Economics for Social Entrepreneurs
- Proposal Writing and Project Management
- Doctoral Dissertation Seminar
- Service Learning Seminar
- Ecological Economics, Public Policy, and Social Change
- Candidacy Preparation and Service Learning