Cheryl Morse Dunkley, a senior lecturer in geography, has been named director of UVM's Center for Research on Vermont, an interdisciplinary network of scholars that is an important resource for researchers, government officials, educators, business leaders and others. Under Dunkley's direction, the Center for Research on Vermont will continue its active program of presentations, publications, and other activities designed to stimulate and support research on a broad range of Vermont topics and issues. She will also direct the Vermont Studies program, an interdisciplinary minor that integrates Vermont-related courses taught throughout the University of Vermont. "Cheryl's background as a first-rate researcher with deep experience in Vermont combined with her energy and vision make her the perfect choice to continue and enhance the important work of the Center for Research on Vermont," said Eleanor Miller, dean of UVM's College of Arts and Sciences, where the center is housed. Dunkley has conducted research in Vermont throughout her academic career, including her master's research on the geographies of northern Vermont teens and her doctoral dissertation on the practice of wilderness therapy. Dunkley received her master's from UVM in 2000 and her doctorate from the University of British Columbia in 2006. She has published articles on the role rurality plays in youth identity formation, the influence of gender on rural teenagers' experience of the social landscape, and the way nature is used to produce healing effects on troubled youth. Dunkley has created courses in field studies, rural geography and children's geography with Vermont components. She designed the current Vermont Studies gateway course as an interdisciplinary introduction to Vermont. Since 2006, Dunkley has served as co-coordinator of the Vermont Geographic Alliance, an organization devoted to enhancing geography awareness through teacher professional development and general public awareness programs. Working with co-coordinator Dr. Richard Kujawa of Saint Michael's College, she obtained grants from the National Geographic Education Fund to run four, week-long residential summer institutes for Vermont teachers, contributed to efforts to secure federal funding for geography education, and led a number of diverse programs for youth, teachers, and the general public. Dunkley also served as a member and chair of the Westford, Vt. select board from 2006-2009 and has run a youth lacrosse program since 2004.