Chad Jones

Chad Jones is Professor of Botany and Environmental Studies at Connecticut College, where he joined in 2007 and currently serves as the Associate Dean of the Faculty for Academic Affairs. He holds a B.S. from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Professor Jones specializes in plant ecology with particular focus on:

• Plant colonization following disturbances including volcanic eruptions and glacial retreats
• Forest invasion patterns by non-native species
• Land-use history impacts on ecological communities
• Integration of GIS and statistical modeling in ecological research

His research methodology combines field studies with advanced analytical techniques to understand invasive species spread. From 2014-2020, he served as the inaugural Suzi Oppenheimer '56 Faculty Director of the Office of Sustainability, leading curriculum integration of sustainability principles across academic programs.

Professor Jones teaches diverse courses including environmental studies, plant systematics, plant ecology, sustainability, and ecological restoration. Notably, he co-teaches a hands-on course with alumnus Rocky Ackroyd '83 where students design and install solar arrays on campus.

He is affiliated with the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment and maintains an active research program involving undergraduate students, reflecting Connecticut College's strong faculty-student research collaboration culture.