Leadership Studies Contacts

My name is Kathleen Carper, and I am a full-time instructor of Technical Communications for Engineers in Industrial and Systems Engineering, but my PhD and dissertation focused on using systems thinking to teach communications in a agricultural classroom. I also studied course development and pedagogy. Since then, I have been teaching Advanced Community Food Systems for OMALS. I have served as a committee member for a few graduates and love supporting students in their studies.

Dr. Friedel’s current research program is focused on problem solving and critical thinking as it relates to leadership and managing change; as well as teaching and learning. Specific attention of his research has been placed on the examination of adaption-innovation theory and use of Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI). Populations for these areas of research include community leaders, organizations, businesses, adults and youth. Dr. Friedel contributes to OMALS as a committee chair, committee member, and course instructor.

Dr. Eric K. Kaufman is a Professor, Extension specialist, and associate head for Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education. He developed and now coordinates a graduate certificate program in Collaborative Community Leadership, while also supporting the leadership studies concentration for the online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences degree program. Eric’s research investigates and promotes leadership-as-practice, with special emphasis on problem solving and team development. 

Dr. Megan Seibel is the director of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program, which is dedicated to fostering leadership and capacity building for Virginia’s largest private industries.  As an Extension Specialist, Dr. Seibel offers experiential program content around leadership best practices in education, workplace, and grassroots organizational settings and leads training content around facilitation and strategic planning. 

Chevon Thorpe is a higher education professional with progressive experience and qualifications in administration, teaching, mentorship, curriculum development, and research. She currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity and a professor of Biochemistry for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. Within her administrative role, she provides strategic direction and thought leadership, and champions the development of an inclusive environment by integrating data-driven diversity practices into the college's research, teaching, and service missions. 

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Dr. Jerald H. Walz has lived in Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. Dr. Walz has earned a B.A. from Asbury College, a M.A. from the Johns Hopkins University, and two graduate certificates and a PhD from Virginia Tech. His career in nonprofit management started after college at The Francis Asbury Society in Wilmore, KY. Later he served for more than a decade as the Vice President for Operations in the nationally recognized religious think tank, the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, DC.