Dr. Kelly Vodden comes to her role as associate vice-president (Grenfell Campus) research and graduate studies as former head of the Division of Social Science, Grenfell Campus, and associate professor (research) with the Environmental Policy Institute, Grenfell Campus, and Department of Geography, St. John's Campus (cross-appointed). She also holds an adjunct appointment with University of PEI's island studies program. Dr. Vodden is an award-winning teacher and an active researcher, leading several major, multi-year research projects and publishing and presenting widely on her work related to rural community and regional development policy and practice in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. Graduate students have played a critical role in these research endeavours. Dr. Vodden has supervised more than 35 MA students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows. As a community-engaged scholar she is also a long-time advisor, volunteer and collaborator with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and several other environmental and community organizations.