Linda Prokopy

Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

PRONOUNS she/her

Woman in an outdoor setting
Pronouns she/her
Alma mater(s)
  • B.S., University of Michigan
  • M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Affiliated Department(s)

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

UVM Extension

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Area(s) of expertise

Sustainable and regenerative agriculture, diversification of agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, adoption of agricultural conservation practices, community involvement and public participation, and social science research methods.  

BIO

Dr. Prokopy has extensive leadership experience in higher education, serving as the Department Head of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University before relocating to the University of Vermont in July 2025. Dr. Prokopy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in Regional Planning, as well as a PhD in Environmental Planning, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Prokopy is an interdisciplinary social scientist recognized nationally and internationally for her work incorporating social science into the fields of agricultural conservation, agricultural adaptation to climate change, and watershed management. Dr. Prokopy has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles in consistently high-tier journals, has generated over $33 million in competitive research funding, and has graduated and mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. 

Publications

Google Scholar

Awards and Achievements

Select Awards: 

  • 2024 - Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) Hall of Fame Award
  • 2019 - Fellow, Soil and Water Conservation Society
  • 2017 - Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, Indiana
  • 2016 - Corinne Alexander Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award, Purdue University
  • 2016 - University Faculty Scholar, Purdue University
  • 2015 - NIFA Partnership Award for Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension

Bio

Dr. Prokopy has extensive leadership experience in higher education, serving as the Department Head of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University before relocating to the University of Vermont in July 2025. Dr. Prokopy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in Regional Planning, as well as a PhD in Environmental Planning, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Prokopy is an interdisciplinary social scientist recognized nationally and internationally for her work incorporating social science into the fields of agricultural conservation, agricultural adaptation to climate change, and watershed management. Dr. Prokopy has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles in consistently high-tier journals, has generated over $33 million in competitive research funding, and has graduated and mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. 

Publications

Awards and Achievements

Select Awards: 

  • 2024 - Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) Hall of Fame Award
  • 2019 - Fellow, Soil and Water Conservation Society
  • 2017 - Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, Indiana
  • 2016 - Corinne Alexander Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award, Purdue University
  • 2016 - University Faculty Scholar, Purdue University
  • 2015 - NIFA Partnership Award for Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension