Plymouth State University

PLYMOUTH, N.H.-
Dr. Brian Eisenhauer has agreed to serve as a faculty fellow for a multi-year term as the PSU’s Director of Environmental Sustainability, succeeding retiring director Bill Crangle, who initially established the Office of Environmental Sustainability. Brian was an inaugural member of the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability (PCES) and its co-chair, as well as having served as Assistant Director of the Center for the Environment. PSU President Sara Jayne Steen said Eisenhauer’s commitment to sustainability makes him a great fit for the position.

“Brian’s work on sustainability on campus and in our region has been extraordinary,” Steen said. “Students working with him have received awards for studies that improve our region and, for example, its water quality. Over the past few years, PSU has become recognized nationally for environmental sustainability. Brian has been part of that, and in his new position he will continue and expand that good and important work.”

Dr.Brian Eisenhauer named PSU’s Director of Environmental Sustainability

In his role as Director of the Office of Sustainability Brian works with PSU faculty, staff, and students to reduce the University’s environmental impacts and help others live more sustainably through active projects and education. As part of these efforts he serves as co-chair of the President’s Commission On Environmental Sustainability (PCES), the group formed of staff, students, and faculty working to implement the University’s Climate Action Plan to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050 with consistent reductions as soon as possible.

“One of the unique aspects of the PSU community is how widespread our efforts to reduce environmental impacts are,” Eisenhauer said. “Many staff, students, faculty, and residents of the region are passionate about a large number of diverse activities, and there is a lot of mutual support. Naturally, efforts at changing our everyday lives are not easy, and all those involved may not see every issue the same, but there is a great deal of excitement and support for people trying to do good work. I am honored and excited to make any contribution I can to these efforts in my new role as Director of the Office of Sustainability.”

Eisenhauer joined the PSU faculty in 2003 after receiving his Ph.D. in environmental sociology from Utah State University, and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Humboldt State University and Colorado State University, respectively.

Brian’s recent work has focused on sustainability, grassroots activism, environmental communications, conservation, and program evaluation. He has worked on many different research projects and enjoys collaborating with students to facilitate the development of their professional skills. He loves to teach and works to develop open and interactive classroom experiences.

Brian has the benefit of having his personal passions and interests intersect with his professional activities, as he spends most of his free time outdoors. He enjoys backpacking, hiking, skiing, and just about anything else that allows him to be in an outdoor environment.

“Members of the PSU community and the region it serves live in a uniquely beautiful place,” Eisenhauer said. “We look forward to working together to protect the natural environment that is such an integral part of quality of life in rural communities here. Only by working together can we achieve the scale of changes needed to address the environmental challenges we face. We hope our work at PSU plays a significant part in these important efforts.”

For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu