Congratulations to Sustainable Development (SD) Professor Dr. Brian Burke and to SD students Megan Prosser and Reilly Cates, who were recently recognized with Appalachian State's "Resilience Pathmaker Awards."
Burke was recognized for his contributions to climate teaching, climate research, and local and global climate action. At Appalachian State, Burke co-authored the new Resilience Pathways QEP, which provides climate literacy for all students, and he has helped train and support more than 80 faculty members in climate pedagogy. Burke's courses have included "Climate Action at App State" and "Community Climate Adaptation," both of which engage students in developing real climate solutions at the university and in North Carolina communities. He was co-founder and co-organizer of the Climate Action Collaborative (ClimAct), an activist organization that encouraged the university to deepen its climate neutrality commitments. And his research examines the likely impacts of climate change on traditional agropastoral systems in Europe, as well as strategies for proactive adaptation. In all of these arenas, Burke has demonstrated a deep commitment to building student and community power to address climate change in concrete, meaningful ways.
Prosser and Cates were recognized for their independent and collaborative work to address climate change on campus and beyond. Prosser and Cates co-chaired the Farm Club, implementing a program to grow food for campus food pantries and to demonstrate links between sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and climate change, and they co-chaired the successful 2026 Student Sustainability Conference at Appalachian State with more than 200 attendees.
Resilience Pathways Awards for Faculty
Resilience Pathways Awards for Faculty