Adam L. Selhorst, Ph.D.
[email protected]
PROFILE: Academic specialist with 10 years of teaching and administrative experience at the collegiate level. I
am valued for my extensive interdisciplinary liberal arts education, including multiple degrees in environmental
science, public policy and management, business administration, and biology. Possess strong leadership and
communication skills developed through the successful design, implementation, and analysis of numerous multiyear research projects as well as presentation of results at academic conferences, to academic institutions, and in
front of numerous governmental and congressional agencies. Additional development of communication,
leadership, and administrative skills have been developed through over 10 years of collegiate teaching experience in
both traditional and online settings in addition to direct experience at Ashford University.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Environmental Science
The Ohio State University
September, 2008 – June, 2011
191qtr hrs
Relevant Coursework: Environmental Science, Soils and Climate Change, Ecosystem Restoration, Ecological
Engineering, World Ecosystem Management, Ecosystem Management Policy, Biological Teaching
Dissertation: “Effects of hydrology and temperature on C sequestration in turfgrasses and their effects on Global
Climate Change”
M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship
Ashford University
January 2013 – November 2014
36 credits
Relevant Coursework: Managerial Accounting, Managerial Finance, Management Communications, Managerial
Marketing, Organizational Behavior
M.A. in Public Policy and Management
The Ohio State University
August, 2008 – June, 2010
57 qtr hrs
Relevant Coursework: Data Analysis in Public Organizations, Managing Public Organizations, Leadership in Public
Organizations, Public Management Information Systems, Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation, Public and
Nonprofit Economics, Public Budgeting, Public Finance Contract Management
Natural Resources and Environmental Management
University of Hawaii at Manoa
August, 2007 – July, 2008
16 semester hrs
Relevant Coursework: Agricultural and Resource Economics, Calculus, Environmental and Resource Policy
M.S. in Environmental Science
The Ohio State University
September, 2005 – June, 2007
119 qtr hrs
Relevant Coursework: GIS, Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Law
Thesis: “Carbon sequestration and emissions due to golf course turfgrass development and maintenance in Central
Ohio”
B.A. in Biology
August, 2000 – May, 2004
Kenyon College
48.75semester hrs
Relevant Coursework: Literature and Language, Liberal Democracy in America, Psychology, Survey of Art in the
Ancient World, Learning and Motivation, Archaeology, The American Presidency, Basic Musicianship, Statistics,
Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics
Honors Thesis: “The effects of land use alterations on global carbon dynamics”
H.S. Diploma
Saint Charles Preparatory
August, 1997 – June, 2000
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Executive Dean, College of Liberal Arts
Ashford University, San Diego, CA
October 2014 – Present
Supervisor: Dr. Lorraine Williams
LEADERSHIP: Provide leadership to the college through effective organization, development, and evaluation of
both online and campus personnel. A culture of trust and transparency has been cultivated through both formal and
informal weekly communications and management of the college committee structure.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for planning, developing, organizing, administering, and evaluating
current and potential college programs. This includes direct supervision of curriculum development, course text
updates, and implementation of both undergraduate and graduate programs within the college.
BUDGET MANAGEMENT: Provide planning and oversight of quarterly college budgets. Special care is given to
ensure sufficient resources for faculty and programmatic development coupled with regard for corporate spending.
UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION: Represent the college on various councils and committees in a collaborative
manner to ensure a positive experience for all university students. Additional duties include interdepartmental
partnerships to develop and implement research initiatives and improved innovation in support of Provost’s
directives.
Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts
Ashford University, San Diego, CA
June 2014 – October 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Suzanne Power
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Responsibilities included numerous administrative duties including leadership of
faculty committees, hiring of associate and full time instructors, evaluation of annual faculty goals, ensuring
alignment of campus and online curriculum, and other activities aimed at supporting the collegiate mission and
strategic plan.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for monitoring associate faculty performance using multiple measures
(IQR, FAR) and overseeing the mentoring and coaching for underperforming faculty. Additional responsibilities
include developing faculty training tools, design of a CoLA onboarding packet for new faculty, as well as the
initiation of numerous developmental webinars and tools.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT: Oversee 200+ courses to ensure rigor and quality of instructional materials.
Additional responsibilities include the monitoring of courses for weak points, ad hoc changes as needs arise, and
ensuring timely development of new courses and implementation of program review action plans.
ASSESSMENT: Responsible for the assessment of learning outcomes, retention rates, persistence, and other major
data affiliated with accreditors. Also responsible for formulating reports as necessary for the Board of Trustees,
WASC accreditors, or other entities as tasked by the Executive Dean.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Academic Department Chair
Ashford University, San Diego, CA
May 2012 – June 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Suzanne Power
STUDENT EDUCATION: Instructed 20 courses per year in the College of Liberal Arts. Course instruction
included daily monitoring of student questions, participation in online discussions, and grading of all course work.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT: Responsible for the peer review, mentoring, and training of associate and full time
remote faculty in the environmental sciences division. These responsibilities included monitoring instruction to
ensure highest quality of education by the students and ongoing communication through faculty forums, emails, and
telephone communications.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT: Redesigned the science GE course (SCI207) as well as all of the courses within the
Environmental Studies major to improve scaffolding, rigor, learning outcomes, and gaps in information. Additional
responsibilities included the monitoring of courses for assessment concerns and ad hoc changes as necessary.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Numerous administrative duties included sitting on dozens of committees including
those dealing with professional development, faculty senate, end of course survey, faculty roles and responsibilities,
hiring of associates and full time instructors, etc.
National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 Fellow
The National Science Foundation, Wooster, OH
July, 2009 – June 2011
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Moore
WATERSHED RESEARCH: Designed and conducted field research on soil and water quality throughout the Sugar
Creek watershed. Projects included meticulous experimental design, extensive soil and water analysis, as well as
presentation of results.
STUDENT EDUCATION: Implemented and led place-based community projects for Wayne Co., OH students in
the Interbaccalaureate Biology program at Wooster Senior High School. Projects included field water quality and
soil testing as well as laboratory analysis for environmental pollutants. Organized and administered a variety of
lectures pre and post project to ensure competency of students in suitable disciplines.
DATA PRESENTATION: Results of watershed research and community projects were presented at a variety of
scientific conferences. Original research was prepared for publication and student educational programs have been
presented at collaborative NSF meetings.
COLLABORATION ON PROGRAM GOALS: Collaborate in bi-weekly program meetings aimed at improvement
of overall program administration. Work as a team to innovate new community based projects and educational
goals. Participate in collaborational research presentations at both professional conferences and community
outreach events.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The Ohio State University , Columbus, OH
August, 2008 – July, 2009
Supervisor: Matt Misicka
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: Collaborated with primary instructors and department heads on course
development in the introductory biology program. Responsible for the formulation of tests and other instructional
material for courses with 300+ students and graded all laboratory work.
STUDENT EDUCATION: Generated and led numerous course lectures on a variety of biological science topics
covering four courses. Managed all laboratory sessions and conducted personalized tutoring sessions.
MANAGE CO-WORKERS: As head teaching assistant managed co-worker inquiries and conflicts. Point person for
all student inquiries acting as liaison between students and lead professor.
Lecturer
Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI
September, 2007 – August, 2008
Supervisor: Kaeo Bradford
COURSE DEVELOPMENT: Designed curriculum and lesson plans for courses in human biology and
environmental science. Generated syllabus, examinations, and all subsequent coursework. Administered all grades
and provided feedback for student progress reports. Assembled a variety of guest speakers in appropriate fields to
provide directed training on various environmental topics.
STUDENT EDUCATION: Chief instructor responsible for leading all lectures including interactive laboratory
activities. Directed field work projects for all students on numerous topics such as plant propagation and
environmental restoration. Organized various student community activities including those directed at future career
planning.
INTERACTIVE MATERIALS: Maintained course websites and all interactive course webpages. Utilized
PowerPoint, Excel and Access for online lecture note presentation and Adobe Photoshop for laboratory graphic
material.
Graduate Research Assistant
Univ of Hawaii / Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Manoa, HI
September, 2007 – August, 2008
Supervisor: Jonathan Deenik
RESEARCH: Conducted field and laboratory research on the effects of various land management practices on soil
biological properties. Various popular land management strategies were assessed utilizing cost/benefit analyses to
determine optimal agricultural practices for various regions.
COLLABORATION WITH PROJECT PARTICIPANTS: Attended bi-weekly meetings with other governmental
researchers to discuss results and future directions. Presented conclusions of completed laboratory work and
subsequent hypotheses stemming from work.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION: Designed and produced educational material for local area farmers utilizing
results from land management studies. Also responsible for co-leading area farmer workshops at demonstration
sites illustrating how to properly implement research findings for citizen benefits.
GRANT PROPOSALS: Creation of written reports and graphic presentations of research results for scientific
meetings and public reports. Also responsible in co-preparing research proposals and grant requests to secure
additional funding.
LABORATORY MANAGEMENT: Responsible for management of the lab including but not limited to ordering of
supplies, delegating undergraduate responsibilities, and ensuring safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
September, 2005 – June, 2007
Supervisor: Matt Misicka
See previous Ohio State university experience for description of duties
Student Research Scientist
Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
June, 2003 – June, 2004
Supervisor: Siobhan Fennessy
RESEARCH: Designed and implemented field research determining the effects of wetland restoration and global
climate change. Responsible for numerous field and laboratory analysis to determine the net carbon sequestration
potential of restoring agricultural soils to previous land use and their subsequent effects on global climate change.
RESULTS PRESENTATION: Research results were prepared for conference poster presentations and shared with
neighboring land owners. Information from study was also utilized for community outreach purposes displaying the
need for environmental preservation and restoration and results were utilized for publication by lead investigator.
STUDENT MANAGEMENT: Delegated responsibilities to underclassmen in the field and laboratory. Led
numerous workshops on field data collection techniques as well as laboratory emissions analysis. Also participated
in bi-weekly laboratory meetings to collaborate with other student research scientists and faculty to improve future
design and methodology.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
The 11th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability
January 21 – January 23, 2015, Copenhagen, Denmark
Presentation: The environmental and social impacts of flexible work schedules, an international concern
The 67th Annual Gerontology Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting: Making Connections
November 5 – November 9, 2014, Washington, D.C.
Presentation: Social and environmental transportation costs of flex work
The 2nd Annual European Conference on Sustainability, Energy & the Environment
July 3 – July 6, 2014
Presentation: Social and environmental impacts of flex work
2014 Citizens Climate Lobby Annual Conference
June 22 – June 24, 2014, Washington, D.C.
Presentation: The positive economic impacts of a revenue neutral carbon tax
The 4th Annual Asian Conference on Sustainability, Energy and the Environment
June 12 – June 15, 2015, Osaka, Japan
Presentation: The social policy and environmental impact of of-site working
WASC Academic Resource conference
April, 2014, Los Angeles, CA
Presentation: An online-end-of-course survey for diverse faculty and widely varying courses
2011 OARDC Annual Research Conference
April 28, 2011, Columbus, OH
XVIIIth International Conference of the Society for Human Ecology
April 20, 2011 - April 23, 2011, Lake Las Vegas, NV
Paper Presented: "Home lawns as a possible sink for atmospheric carbon."
21st Annual International Conference on Soil, Water, Energy and Air
March 14, 2011 - March 17, 2011, San Diego, CA
2011 NSF GK-12 Annual Conference
March 11, 2011 - March 13, 2011, Washington D.C.
Poster Presented: "The effect of land use alterations on watershed soil and water quality"
2010 OARDC Renewable Energy Workshop
November 18, 2010, Wooster, OH
Exhibit Presented: "The benefits of biochar."
Conference on Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems
April 14, 2010, Columbus, OH
Poster Presented: "Carbon sequestration in golf course turfgrass systems."
2010 NSF GK-12 Annual Conference
March 26, 2010 - March 28, 2010, Washington D.C.
Poster Presented: "Utilizing field research to teach science in primary education."
2009 Soil Science Society of America International Annual Conference
November 1, 2009 - November 5, 2009, Pittsburgh, PA
2006 Soil Science Society of America International Annual Conference
November 12, 2006 - November 16, 2006, Indianapolis, IN
Kenyon College Summer Science Poster Presentation
October, 2003, Gambier, OH
Poster Presented: "The effects of land use and increased carbon dioxide levels on carbon flux."
PEER-REVIEWED LITERATURE
Selhorst, A.L., and R. Lal. 2011. "Carbon budgeting in golf course soils of Central Ohio." Urban Ecosystems. 14(4):
771-781.
Selhorst, A.L. and R. Lal. 2012. "Carbon sequestration in golf course turfgrass systems and recommendations for the
enhancement of climate change mitigation potential" IN: Lal, R and B. Augustin. (Eds.). 2012. Carbon
Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems, Springer, New York, 400 pp.
Selhorst A.L. and R. Lal. 2012. "Effects of climate and soil properties on U.S. home lawn soil organic carbon
concentration and pool.” Environmental Management. 50: 1177-1192.
Selhorst A.L. and R. Lal. 2012. "Net carbon sequestration potential and emission in home lawn turfgrasses of the
United States.” Environmental Management. Published Online.
Selhorst, 2015. "Carbon sequestration in urban soils" IN: Lal, R. (Ed.). 2015. Encyclopaedia of Soil Science, Vol. 2,
CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1925 pp. (In Press)
JOURNAL REVIEWER
Peer Reviewer for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES
Windows: 7, 8; Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook; Statistical Software: Minitab, SAS,
SPSS; Adobe Photoshop CS4; eCollege