Additional Roles Associate Professor
Faculty Member Applied Sustainability Major 
School of Social Innovation 
Pronouns She/Her/Hers
Education University of Vermont, Doctor of Philosophy; American University, Bachelor of Arts; Brown University, Master of Arts
Areas of Expertise
  • Ecological Economics
  • Ecological Literacy
  • Sustainability and Environmental Policy
Contact Freeman 200E

Biography

Valerie Esposito has been at Champlain since July 2010 and is the Director for the Applied Sustainability and Environmental Studies and Policy programs. She teaches courses on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, Women’s Leadership, Place-based Sustainability, Ecological Economics, Mindfulness, Becoming Part of the Creative Economy and the Capstone.

Valerie attended American University, earning a B.A. in Justice. She received an M.A. from Brown University in Environmental Studies. She obtained her Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Ecological Economics from the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. Prior to coming to Champlain she served as the Executive Director of the Vermont Earth Institute.

After college Valerie spent two years living abroad in Costa Rica and Chile, where she participated in environmental volunteer work and taught English. She pursued her international interests in her doctoral work, conducting research and working with local non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Costa Rica, Peru and the Dominican Republic. She is very interested in bringing this experience to the classroom, to ensure relevant local, national and global issues are addressed. Her research interests include ecological literacy, education for sustainability, service learning and ecological economic policy implementation.

Valerie enjoys spending time with family and friends and taking advantage of Vermont’s natural and cultural playground, through skiing, hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, theater visits and seeing live music. Sustainable travel, gardening, cooking, reading and cultivating her inner yogini also keep her busy.

Distinctions & Awards

John Lavalle Innovation Award, 2019
Academic Innovation Award, 2023

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

  • US Society for Ecological Economics
  • International Society for Ecological Economics
  • North American Association for Environmental Education
  • Association for Environmental Studies and Science

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

  • Kimmerer, R.W. Braiding Sweetgrass
    A beautiful and poetic exploration of how humans can reimagine a holistic, inclusive relationship with the environment and all living beings based on indigenous wisdom and ways of knowing.
  • Kaza, S. Mindfully Green: A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Whole Earth Thinking
    Explores Buddhist ideals of reducing harm, being with ecosystems and taking a deep systems view to implement the green practice path.
  • Eisler, R. The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating A Caring Economics
    Explores the impact of the caring economy to give visibility and value to the socially and economically essential work of caring for people and the planet.

Favorite Quote

“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”

—Robin Wall Kimmerer

More Faculty in School of Social Innovation

Patricia Aldredge
Dean, School of Social Innovation | Dean, Division of Communication & Creative Media | Dean, Core Division
Gary Baker
Co-Program Director
Ariana Cano
Adjunct Instructor
Niels Caul
Adjunct Instructor, Dublin Campus
Barbara Colombo
Co-Program Director
Annemarie Conlon
Adjunct Instructor
Tarn Foerg
Associate Professor
Latoya Hogg
Adjunct Instructor
Meg Jones
Assistant Professor
Jennifer Jorgenson
Adjunct Instructor
Kathleen Legg
Adjunct Instructor
Melissa McDuffie
Adjunct Instructor
Jeffrey Messina
Adjunct Instructor
Elaine O'Reilly
Academic Coach and Student Success Coordinator
Robert Olsen
Adjunct Instructor
Beth Peloquin
Adjunct Instructor
Robin Ploof
Program Director
Willard Sterne Randall
Adjunct Instructor
Kristine Reynolds
Adjunct Instructor
John Stroup
Professor
David White
Adjunct Instructor
Faith Yacubian
Adjunct Instructor

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