Kristine "Kris" Stepenuck

Extension Associate Professor

Kris Stepenuck
Alma mater(s)
  • Ph.D., Environment and Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2013
  • M.S., Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1999
  • B.S., Water Resource Management, University of New Hampshire, 1995

BIO

Watershed Science, Policy and Education

Kristine Stepenuck, PhD (Kris; she/her) is Associate Director and Extension Program Leader for Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Extension Associate Professor of Watershed Science, Policy and Education in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. For more than 20 years, she has focused her career to build community connections to and understanding of the impact our actions have on the health of streams, rivers, and lakes.

Her research focuses on understanding behavior changes that result from watershed outreach programming, assessing impacts of land use on water quality, and understanding motivations of volunteers and outcomes of programs that engage the public in scientific research. Kris holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently a member of the Education and Outreach committee of the Lake Champlain Basin Program and a section editor for the journal, Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. She is a year ‘round bike commuter and enjoys hiking, whitewater kayaking, and skiing.

Area(s) of expertise

Instructional programs: Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources
Research: Watershed science, impacts of land use on water quality, community science, community engagement

Bio

Watershed Science, Policy and Education

Kristine Stepenuck, PhD (Kris; she/her) is Associate Director and Extension Program Leader for Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Extension Associate Professor of Watershed Science, Policy and Education in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. For more than 20 years, she has focused her career to build community connections to and understanding of the impact our actions have on the health of streams, rivers, and lakes.

Her research focuses on understanding behavior changes that result from watershed outreach programming, assessing impacts of land use on water quality, and understanding motivations of volunteers and outcomes of programs that engage the public in scientific research. Kris holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is currently a member of the Education and Outreach committee of the Lake Champlain Basin Program and a section editor for the journal, Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. She is a year ‘round bike commuter and enjoys hiking, whitewater kayaking, and skiing.

Areas of Expertise

Instructional programs: Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources
Research: Watershed science, impacts of land use on water quality, community science, community engagement