Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Mona Becker McDaniel College Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Mona Becker McDaniel College Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair

http://www.mcdaniel.edu/information/media-center/experts-sources/expert-mona-becker

May 14, 2015

Topics she can discuss include:

Climate Change

Environment

Environmental Education

Environmental Policy

Geology

Sinkholes

Stream Health

About Mona Becker

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair Mona Becker teaches courses in Introductory Environmental Science, as well as upper-level classes in Environmental Geology, Chemistry and Climatology. Her research with students focuses on anthropogenic effects in streams and soils. Recent projects undertaken with students have included the creation of a sinkhole density map for Carroll County, Md., evaluating the use of biosludge in agricultural practices, determination of pathogens in contaminated stream water in McDowell County, W.Va., and reforestation mapping.

An avid proponent of service learning, Becker encourages students to become engaged in the community in which their research is taking place. She has supervised service-learning in Westminster, Md., as well as community projects in McDowell County, W.Va., where the poverty rate for families is 30 percent.

Becker has published several research articles in academic publications and frequently presents papers at conferences, often with her student collaborators. She is the 2014 recipient of the Service Learning and Civic Engagement Faculty Award, Maryland-DC Campus Compact. She is advisor to the Green Life club on campus.

She serves as a member of the Westminster City Common Council. She also served as Past-President of the Maryland Association of Science Teachers and President of the Maryland Association of Science Teachers.

Becker received a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science with a concentration in Engineering Geology from Millersville University, a master’s in Geology from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in Geology from SUNY Stony Brook.

In the News

Elections results: Westminster, towns pick new council Carroll County Times article about Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, being elected to the Westminster City Council. (May 13, 2015)

Becker picked for council vacancy The selection of Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, to the Westminster City Council is covered in the Carroll County Times. (Dec. 9, 2014)

Organic farming reaps benefits The Carroll County Times publishes a letter written by Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, about how organic farming can help with climate change. (Oct. 6, 2014)

Environmental Film Festival, meetings, and other Maryland green events
The Baltimore Going Green Examiner blog mentions that Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, is speaking at a Sierra Club event in Westminster, Md. (March 16, 2014)

Anti-climate change stance disturbing
The Carroll County Times publishes a letter written by Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, about the Carroll County Commissioners anti-climate change agenda. (Jan. 11, 2014)

Crews fill 5-foot deep sinkhole near The Arc Carroll County
Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, is quoted in the Carroll County Times about the prevalence of sinkholes in Carroll County, Md. (Oct. 29, 2013)

Man discovers hole near Sykesville train tracks
The Carroll County Times quotes Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, about a sinkhole near train tracks in Sykesville, Md. (May 22, 2013)

Groundbreaking Research: McDaniel student maps sinkholes for senior project
Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, comments in the Carroll County Times on a McDaniel College student's senior capstone project on sinkholes in Carroll County, Md. (April 6, 2013)

McDaniel students do five-week research projects during summer break
Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, is quoted in the Carroll County Times about student-faculty summer research. (July 8, 2012)

Planet Carroll brings discussion on sustainability, climate change to local level
The Carroll County Times mentions that Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, is speaking on climate change at Planet Carroll environmental conference. (April 16, 2012)

Master gardeners, McDaniel team up on Westminster wetlands project An article in the Carroll County Times mentions Environmental Studies students at McDaniel College taught by Mona Becker, assistant professor of Environmental Studies and Department Chair, helped to rehabilitate a wetlands area in King Park, Westminster, Md. (April 6, 2012)