Lissy Goralnik

Lissy Goralnik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with GenCen (Center for Gender in a Global Context) and the Environmental Science and Public Policy program. Her work bridges environmental ethics, experiential learning, and community engagement. She holds a PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife from MSU, an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho, and a BA in English from Stanford University, with prior experience as a wilderness educator.

Education:

• PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife, MSU
• MFA in Creative Writing, University of Idaho
• BA in English, Stanford University

Research Interests: Focuses on affective dimensions of sustainability education, including empathy development, STEM identity, and ecological place attachment. Explores socio-ecological resilience through interdisciplinary collaborations between arts/humanities and environmental sciences. Current projects include Lansing urban agriculture resilience, contemplative pedagogy, and digital environmental interpretation.

Key Projects:

• Art-science collaborations for empathy and place-based learning
• Urban agriculture governance and ecological citizenship
• Sustainability ethics in invasive species management
• Contemplative practices for resilience

Teaching: Courses include Introduction to Community Sustainability (CSUS 200), Community Engagement (CSUS 301), and Contemplative Practice and Resilience (NSC 292).