Institute for Policy and Governance Quarterly Newsletter

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tidings: From the Director

"Highlighting Deliberative Popular Sovereignty: A Central Valence of Democratic Politics and Freedom"

Accomplishments

Alma de León

Max Stephenson Jr.

Cecily Rodriguez

Amin Farzaneh

Sara Naghibizadeh

Brad Stephens

Armin Firouzi

Aziz Ardic

Ariel Otruba

Vanessa Guerra

Clara Xavier Marques

Neda Moayerian

Desiree Poets

Henrique Gomes

Hilal Yalcin

Mary Beth Dunkenberger

Sheryl Bailey

Kimberly Horn

Helya Sehat

Khishi Enkhbayar

Sarah Jonson

Partner Updates

Laura Zanotti

Lia Kelinsky-Jones

Eric Bendfeldt

Zahra Modarres Vahid

Allie Oberoi

Project Updates

CONNECT in Action: Mount Rogers Community Services Board (CSB) Building Connection, Collaboration, and Culture
Psychospiritual Care and Mental Wellness Pilot Training Course
Trustees Without Borders featuring Solmaz Yadollahi
Calfee Cultural & Community Center
Engagement Ready Roanoke
Language Access Needs Assessment
Limited English Proficiency Cohort Workshop
Roanoke Valley Collective Response
Virginia Public Sector Leader Program
Virginia Management Fellows
CivilianLEAD
Bilingual Staff Interpreter Training

Conferences & Events

International Conference on Social Science Methodology
Opportunities and Challenges in Peer Support Systems
2025 Virginia Association of Community Services Boards Conference
Engagement Scholarship Consortium
Commonwealth of Virginia Children Services Act Conference
2025 Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Conference
IPG Summer Potluck

Announcements & Opportunities

2024-25 Annual Report
IPG Bids Goodbye to Andrea Briceño Mosquera

Faculty Spotlight

Ben Grove, Director of Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech

Graduate Student Spotlight

Shahed Alhadyan, Graduate Assistant, PhD Student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization

Alumni Spotlight

Molly F. Todd, Assistant Teaching Professor, Sociology and International Affairs, and Director of Honors, International Affairs, University of Colorado Boulder

Commentaries, Essays & Publications

Soundings and Tidings
Five Pieces Worth Reading
Recent Publications
Books, Articles, Chapters, Reviews and Conference Paper Presentations Under Review/Forthcoming

TIDINGS: FROM THE DIRECTOR

"Highlighting Deliberative Popular Sovereignty: A Central Valence of Democratic Politics and Freedom"

BY MAX O. STEPHENSON, JR.

Director, Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance

Democracy as a form of governance stands or falls ultimately on the good sense or deliberative capacity of the people who are sovereign within it. Democracy trusts citizens to make choices that ensure the freedom and rights of all. If those individuals falter in exercising prudence and fall instead into quests for power over subgroups or deprive some of their fellow residents of a share of their human rights on any other basis, the freedom that democracy can otherwise ensure will soon evanesce and perhaps be lost to one or another form of tyranny.

This challenge is real for all would-be democratic societies, but it is especially challenging for those with significant differences or heterogeneity within their populations, whether of tribe, race, skin color, religion, ethnicity, gender or other characteristics. The fundamental issue is whether human beings can continuously recognize their innate interdependence and the significance of ensuring the rights and freedom of all within their polity to preserve their own freedom. This requires recognition that they are not automatons and that their society and their lives are inevitably social in character. It also demands an openness to, and curiosity concerning, pluralism and difference rather than fear or loathing of the same. Nonetheless, history teaches that humankind has ever been willing to jettison democratic possibility and freedom in thrall to the siren call of hatred or a desire for power along any of the characteristics noted above. Thus, my rationale for calling this demos capacity and choice a central crucible of democratic politics.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

IPG is pleased to welcome Alma de León to our team. She previously worked with Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension for almost 30 years. Alma will be responsible for the overall administrative operations in Richmond as our Operations and Fiscal Coordinator.

Welcome, Alma!

IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. participated in a forum sponsored by the Leage of Women Voters, the local chapter of the NAACP and the Lifelong Learning Institute entitled, "The Reshaping of U.S. Democracy and the Role of the Courts" on September 24 at the Blacksburg Town Council Chambers. The panel also included Virginia Tech Political Science Professor Brandy Faulkner and was moderated by Virginia Tech Associate Provost Emerita Patricia Hyer. Thank you to Virginia Tech Professor Emerita Carolyn Rude for coordinating the event's organization.

Dr. Stephenson was also interviewed recently on WRIC ABC 8 News in Richmond discussing Governor Glenn Youngkin's executive order launching a pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to review and condense state regulations. You may view the interview here. Thank you to WRIC reporter Sahara Sriraman for putting this piece together.

With this newsletter's edition, Dr. Stephenson published his 70th Tidings. The series began in 2008.

Congratulations, Max!

IPG Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation Cecily Rodriguez served as a keynote speaker at the Roanoke Refugee Mental Health Conference on September 15, presenting "Unlocking Access: The Role of Interpreters in Behavioral Healthcare. Her keynote explored the critical role interpreters play in ensuring equitable access to mental health services for refugee and immigrant communities. She highlighted best practices for culturally and linguistically responsive care. Cecily underscored the importance of collaboration, compassion, and systems-level support in advancing behavioral health equity across Virginia.

Cecily also recently became an accredited member of the KAI Foundation Network. which covers problem solving and enhancing creativity to assist practitioners in improving their workplace culture.

Congratulations, Cecily!

Amin Farzaneh, Institute graduate assistant and PhD student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization (PGG), successfully completed his qualifying review on September 8. The next step of his dissertation process will be the preliminary exam. Special thanks to his committee: Chair, IPG Director, and Professor, School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) Max Stephenson Jr., Virginia Tech Alumni Distinguished Professor (Sociology) Kwame Harrison, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEPP) Professor Paroma Wagle, and UEPP Associate Professor Margaret Cowell.

Congratulations, Amin!

Sara Naghibizadeh, Institute affiliated student and PhD student in the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought, published "Differentiated citizenship and urban activism: Insights from Tehran's planning conflicts" in the Journal of Urban Affairs. The effort was co-authored with Mojgan Taheri Tafti and Saeed Dobahri. You may find the article here.

Congratulations, Sara!

Brad Stephens and Amin Farzaneh, Institute graduate assistants and PhD students in Planning, Governance, and Globalization (PGG) had a conference abstract, "More engagement, more problems? How community engagement efforts may both facilitate and undermine trust development" accepted for presentation at the upcoming 2026 International Conference on Urban Affairs (ICUA).

Institute affiliated student and PGG PhD student Armin Firouzi and Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. also had their abstract, "Navigating Rights to Culture in the City: Lessons from Afghan Refugees in Roanoke, Virginia" accepted for presentation at ICUA.

Congratulations, all!

Aziz Ardic, PhD student at the University of Istanbul and former IPG Visiting Graduate Fellow, recently published two pieces. The first, a review of "Civil Society and Autocratisation: Co-optation, Repression and Contestation in Turkey", was published in Voluntas, which you may find here. The second, an article entitled, "Silent Capitals: Institutionalized Reproduction, Subalternity and the Right to the City," was published in Archives of Philosophy, which you may find here. Armin Firouzi was a co-author of the latter effort.

Congratulations, Aziz and Armin!

Photos: Aziz Ardic (top) and Armin Firouzi (bottom).

Dr. Ariel Otruba, who has been an IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow since 2023, has been appointed Interim Director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPRC) Program at Arcadia University. She will oversee all elements of that university's very well-regarded peace and conflict studies program. The Institute extends our sincerest congratulations to Dr. Otruba. We have no doubt that she will excel in this role.

Congratulations, Ariel!

Dr. Vanessa Guerra, University of Virginia (UVA) Assistant Professor in Urban and Environmental Planning and IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow, has received a $30,000 research grant from UVA's Environmental Research Institute to support the project "Community-Led Water Resilience in San Cristóbal: Participatory Mapping for Adaptive Infrastructure Planning in the Galapágos." This project is being carried out in partnership with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador).

Dr. Guerra also had an article entitled, "Planning for City Resilience: Barriers and Incentives for Energy Transitions in High-and Middle-Income Neighborhoods in Latin America" published in the Journal of Architectural Engineering. You may find the piece here.

Dr. Guerra's PhD student Clara Xavier Marques was recently awarded a University of Virginia 2025 Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Research Fellowship. This is Clara's second major research grant; in fall 2024, she was also awarded a Center for Global Inquiry and Innovation Graduate Global Research Grant.

Congratulations, Vanessa and Clara!

IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr, IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow and University of Tehran Assistant Professor Dr. Neda Moayerian, University of Virginia Assistant Professor and IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow Dr. Vanessa Guerra, Virginia Tech Political Science Assistant Professor Dr. Desiree Poets, and Redes de Maré representative Henrique Gomes published their article, "Countering Persistent Alterity: Fostering Advocacy and Agency" in the Journal of Human Rights Practice. You may find their piece here.

IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. and IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow and University of Tehran Assistant Professor Dr. Neda Moayerian published an essay on "Pluralism" in the International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. You may find their article here.

Congratulations, all!

Hilal Yalcin, Institute Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, wrapped up her fellowship with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for the 2026 Elective Classification for Community Engagement Cycle in August. This appointment offered her a unique professional development opportunity to participate in the peer review process for university Carnegie Elective Selection/Classification. Fellows supported peer reviewer teams in evaluating 8-10 applications during the initial review phase. Their responsibilities included scheduling group review meetings, drafting meeting minutes, reviewing and editing feedback documentation, and contributing to application discussions. You may read more about her fellowship here.

Congratulations, Hilal!

Mary Beth Dunkenberger, IPG Deputy Director, recently accepted an invitation to join the United Way Planning Policy Committee for Virginia's Blue Ridge. Led by Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr., the group will explore how the Roanoke Valley community can better serve people living on the margins financially and consider how local non-profits can collaborate creatively to bridge gaps that exist between community needs and funding.

Congratulations, Mary Beth!

Dr. Sheryl Bailey, IPG Visiting Professor of Practice, served as one of three judges for the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) 2025 Annual Achievement Awards and supported the selection of 57 awards from among the 155 total submissions across the state. Top awards will be presented at the VACo annual conference in November. Dr. Bailey has served as a VACo Achievement Awards judge for several years.

Dr. Bailey presented an Annual Economic Outlook report to the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia on October 15. She has led the preparation of the customized, comprehensive annual economic report for Albemarle for four years. Her presentation each year kicks off the county's annual long-term financial planning and budgeting process.

Dr. Bailey also presented and chaired a panel on economic development in small localities at the International City/County Management Association 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida, October 26-29. Her session was aimed at helping localities and regions build capacity to invest in privately led development projects more strategically and with greater understanding of those developments' possible impacts on economies and communities.

Congratulations, Sheryl!

Dr. Kimberly Horn, IPG Research Professor, appeared on the podcast, "Plenty of Positivity," to explain the importance of human connection and the impact of loneliness and isolation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also discussed her recent book, "Friends Matter, For Life." You may listen to the podcast here.

Dr. Horn also joined William Wadsworth on the "Exam Study Expert" podcast to discuss friendship, connection, and loneliness in student life. You may listen to that podcast here.

Dr. Horn was also quoted in a September 27 Newsweek article entitled, "How to Spot a One-Sided Friendship Before It Drains You." You may view the article here.

Congratulations, Kimberly!

Helya Sehat, PhD student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization and affiliated Institute graduate assistant, has been accepted as an associate member of the Academy for Outstanding Graduate Pedagogy (AOGP). Broadly defined, the AOGP is a collaborative organization between the graduate study body and the Virginia Tech Graduate School, with the central aim of celebrating excellence in graduate teaching and providing support to graduate teaching efforts across university contexts. You may find additional information here.

Congratulations, Helya!

Dr. Neda Moayerian, who has been an IPG Non-Resident Research Fellow since 2021, has been appointed Academic Vice President of the School of Urban Planning at the University of Tehran (Iran). She will be responsible for overseeing the programming of courses each semester, as well as communications with other university leaders regarding the academic needs and concerns of School faculty members and students. The Institute extends their sincerest congratulations to Dr. Moayerian. We have no doubt she will excel in this role.

Congratulations, Neda!

Photo: The University of Tehran. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Khishi Enkhbayar, co-founder and secretary general of the United Nations Association of Mongolia, has started pursuing a master's degree at the University of Oxford. The Institute was honored to host Ms. Enkhbayar as a visiting fellow for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations through the State Department's Professional Fellows Program in May 2023. During her visit, she worked principally with IPG Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships Dr. David Moore to learn more about non-governmental organization (NGO) governance and development. Dr. Moore then traveled to Mongolia in October 2023 help Ms. Enkhbayar launch an NGO guidebook for the civil society community there.

Congratulations, Khishi!

Sarah Jonson, 2016 Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) graduate, was inducted into the College of William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame on September 19. During her stellar four-year career with the Tribe's women's lacrosse program, Sarah ('11) established herself as one of the nation's top defenders. She played a vital role on William & Mary's teams, which secured consecutive Coastal Athletic Association titles in 2008 and 2009 during her tenure.

Sarah pursued her MPIA degree at Virginia Tech as a participant in the Peace Corps Master's International Program, which combined Peace Corps service and graduate study. Sarah master's thesis, chaired by Dr. Max Stephenson Jr., focused on occupational segregation in Namibia, particularly women's experience training for and working in male-dominated construction and manufacturing industries. She was an active member of IPG's student organization, the Community Change Collaborative.

Congratulations, Sarah!

PARTNER UPDATES

Dr. Laura Zanotti has been appointed chair of the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech. Dr. Zanotti is a frequent research collaborator with IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. and a dear friend of the Institute. We could not be happier for her. You may read an article concerning her appointment here.

Dr. Lia Kelinsky-Jones has been appointed Assistant Director for Research of the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation at Virginia Tech. Lia has been a frequent research collaborator with IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. and Dr. Kim Niewolny, Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership and Community Education and Director of the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation.

Dr. Eric Bendfeldt has accepted a new leadership role as Senior Associate at the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation at Virginia Tech. Dr. Stephenson served as a member of his doctoral advisory committee.

Zahra Modarres Vahid successfully completed her dissertation proposal defense in the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought (ASPECT) PhD program on September 29. Her next step is to conduct her field work. Zahra has been affiliated with the Institute through her participation in IPG's student organization, the Community Change Collaborative.

Allie Oberoi has started a new position at Virginia Tech as Senior Emergency Coordinator in the Emergency Management office. She moved to this role after six years in Global Education. Allie was always extremely helpful to Institute faculty and staff and so many others at the university in her previous position as the Associate Director for Global Safety and Risk Management. We wish her the very best in her new role.

Congratulations, all!

PROJECT UPDATES

CONNECT in Action: Mount Rogers Community Services Board (CSB) Building Connection, Collaboration, and Culture

In August 2025, the Mount Rogers Community Services Board partnered with IPG to launch a Cultivating Open Networks for Nurturing, Engagement, Collaboration and Teamwork (CONNECT) Cohort designed to strengthen teamwork, communication, and organizational culture. During the course of the program, Mount Rogers CSB staff will participate in a series of interactive workshops focused on building trust, enhancing collaboration, and aligning their work with shared values. Through experiential learning, reflective exercises, and team-based action planning, participants will gain practical tools to foster a more cohesive and energized workplace. IPG Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation Cecily Rodriguez serves as the Principal Investigator for this project.

Psychospiritual Care for Mental Wellness Pilot Training Course

IPG launched a Psychospiritual Care and Mental Wellness Pilot Training Course in August that will run through December. Led by Senior Public and Community Engagement Manager Dr. Andrew Sharp, this project responds to the alarming global rise in mental health illness and the erosion of trust in our social institutions. It brings together behavioral health professionals and spiritual leaders in a cohort-based training experience to equip them for providing improved growth opportunities to those they serve. You may find additional information here.

Photo credit: Hilal Yalcin.

Trustees Without Borders featuring Solmaz Yadollahi

In this episode of Trustees Without Borders, Planning, Governance, and Globalization students Brad Stephens and Armin Firouzi talked with Dr. Solmaz Yadollahi about her work that addresses preserving culture through urban heritage planning. She discussed her argument that urban spaces operate discursively and can be thought of as assemblages. She shared examples and stories from her research concerning heritage in Tehran and how conflicting narratives concerning that past are negotiated among various stakeholder groups in practice. You may listen to the podcast here.

Dr. Yadollahi is an Iranian conservation architect and urban heritage researcher. She earned her master's degree from the University of Tehran, and she holds a PhD in Heritage Studies from BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg in Germany. Her research is concerned with how heritage conservation policy and practice, particularly in Tehran, interact with urban development pressures. She explores public space, social sustainability, and the gaps between policy and implementation. Dr. Yadollahi has published on the Iranian Bazaar as a public space, cultural and policy assemblage in heritage, and how modernization influences historic public spaces.

Calfee Cultural & Community Center

IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson, Jr., Institute graduate assistant and Planning, Governance, and Globalization PhD student Brad Stephens, and Non-Resident Research Fellow Dr. Neda Moayerian presented their paper, "Learning from the Calfee Training School: Exploring One Nonprofit's Efforts to Reimagine a Historically Black School While Iterating Democratic Norms" to the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) colloquium graduate seminar on September 26. Their effort, published in Crises, explores the role of the Calfee Community and Cultural Center in Pulaski, Virginia, as a case study of how civil society organizations can reinforce and iterate democratic norms into their communities. You may view their article here. The article was also mentioned in the October newsletter of the International Sociological Association.

Photo: Calfee Cultural & Community Center. Credit to Wikipedia.

Engagement Ready Roanoke

Several IPG-affiliated faculty and students, including Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr., Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships Dr. David Moore, Community-Based Research Manager Lara Nagle, Graduate Assistants Brad Stephens and Amin Farzaneh, Senior Fellow Andy Morikawa, and Affiliated Researcher Marcy Schnitzer are now two months into leading Grant Ready Roanoke. This six-month capacity-building project for Roanoke area nonprofits is a partnership with the City of Roanoke and part of a broader effort to foster cross-sector collaboration called Engagement Ready Roanoke.

The team is now moving to the second phase of the project, which is focused on helping the city evaluate its community engagement efforts. During the next several months, the group will conduct a listening campaign to gather feedback on current and past engagement that will include sessions with community members and city staff, individual interviews, and a survey.

Language Access Needs Assessment

IPG has successfully completed the Language Access Needs Assessment project for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBHDS). This comprehensive effort, led by IPG Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation Cecily Rodriguez, examined current language access practices across Community Services Boards (CSBs) and state facilities to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in serving individuals with limited English proficiency. The project's findings will help guide the DBHDS in advancing equitable communication, improving service accessibility, and strengthening cultural and linguistically appropriate care across Virginia's behavioral health system.

Limited English Proficiency Cohort Workshop

The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Cohort Workshop brought together coordinating staff from Virginia’s public mental health hospitals to strengthen language access services. This hands-on workshop supported the development of policy and plans to improve communication and ensure equitable access for individuals with limited English proficiency and those requiring communication accommodations. IPG Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation Cecily Rodriguez led the workshop at IPG's Richmond location October 6-8.

Roanoke Valley Collective Response

On October 1, IPG faculty and students facilitated an in person working session with the stakeholders from the Roanoke Valley Collective Response (RVCR) to review goals, working groups, and priorities for the 2025 Blueprint for Action Update project. Approximately 45 stakeholders, representing a wide variety of sectors that serve individuals with addiction, and in treatment and recovery from addiction, gathered to review and discuss items that will be included in the RVCR's strategic planning for the next 3-5 years. The activity was met with interest and enthusiasm from stakeholders and RVCR staff.

Photo courtesy of Laura Taylor.

Virginia Public Sector Leader Program

IPG successfully launched the first open enrollment session of the Virginia Public Sector Leader Program (VPSL) during the last week of September. This professional development initiative is designed to strengthen leadership capacity within Virginia's public sector by equipping participants with practical tools in strategic management, communication, and organizational leadership. This inaugural cohort brought together professionals from diverse state and local agencies to collaborate, share experiences, and enhance their ability to lead effectively in today's complex public service environment. You may visit the program's website for more information.

Virginia Management Fellows

Virginia Management Fellows (VMF) Cohort 7 recently presented their second rotation agency reports, showcasing the knowledge, skills, and leadership growth they have gained to date through their work experience with state agencies. Fellows highlighted key projects and reflected on how their placements have prepared them for future leadership roles in public service. A heartfelt thank you to all the agency mentors, supervisors, and colleagues who attended the presentations and continue to support the Fellows' professional development and success.

CivilianLEAD

CivilianLEAD is a specialized training program designed to develop and enhance the leadership skills of individuals who hold civilian leadership roles at the Virginia State Police. This program helps participants understand the challenges and responsibilities associated with leading law enforcement organizations.

Cohort 4 will deliver their final capstone presentations on November 19. During this culminating event, participants will showcase the innovative projects and leadership skills they have developed throughout the program, highlighting their commitment to strengthening Virginia's public safety and civilian leadership workforce.

Bilingual Staff Interpreter Training

IPG faculty and staff led by IPG Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation Cecily Rodriguez are preparing to lead a Bilingual Staff Interpreter Training for employees of Virginia's Community Services Boards (CSBs) in Prince William County (November 4-6) and Richmond (December 9-11). This training is designed to strengthen language access and cultural responsiveness within behavioral health services by equipping bilingual staff with the skills and ethical standards needed to provide effective interpretation for individuals with limited English proficiency. IPG and CSB partners are advancing equitable communication and improving access to care across the Commonwealth through this initiative.

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

International Conference on Social Science Methodology

IPG Research Scientist Dr. Bernice Owusu-Brown traveled to Naples, Italy to present at the 11th International Conference on Social Science Methodology. Dr. Owusu-Brown shared her paper, "Property Status and Wife Beating Justification in Ghana: an integrated theoretical approach" for a panel entitled "New Perspectives for Intersectionality Research, Policy, and Practice." This timely research advocates moving away from a siloed disciplinary approach to this challenge to a response that favors a synthesis of such methods as a step toward eradicating all forms of gender-based violence. Bernice thanks her colleagues at IPG and Virginia Tech's International Performance and Presentation Grants for helping to make this possibility a reality.

Photo courtesy of Bernice Owusu-Brown.

Opportunities and Challenges in Peer Support Systems

Institute Deputy Director Mary Beth Dunkenberger participated in a panel entitled, "Opportunities and Challenges in Peer Support Systems" held on September 24 at the Institute's Richmond location. The event aimed to bring together scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders to engage in a critical dialogue about the implementation, efficacy, and sustainability of peer support systems across diverse contexts. Thank you to the following individuals who also participated in the panel discussion:

Mary McQown, Recovery Systems Workforce Development Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Robert "Bently" Wood, Lead Regional Peer Recovery Specialist Coordinator, Region 4 Programs, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority
Christine Wright, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Four Truths Recovery

Photo credit: Hilal Yalcin.

2025 Virginia Association of Community Services Boards Conference

Institute Deputy Director Mary Beth Dunkenberger attended the 2025 Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) Conference October 1-3 at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia. The VACSB works to build consensus on policy, administrative, and operational issues of community services boards and behavioral health authorities. Held each October, this gathering features Virginia and national public policy issues through panels and presentations. You may find more information here.

Engagement Scholarship Consortium

IPG's presence was evident at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) in Roanoke October 8-9. Deputy Director Mary Beth Dunkenberger and Public Health Program and Policy Research Associate Laura Taylor presented, "Engagement for Collective Impact to Address the Addiction Crisis" along with the Director of the Roanoke Valley Collective Response, Bailey Medeiros.

Cecily Rodriguez (Associate Director of Research and Organizational Innovation, IPG), Dr. Anne Walters (Applied Research Associate, IPG), and Olabisi Akinwunmi (Graduate Assistant at IPG and Master's Student in Public and International Affairs) presented "Understanding Language Access in Public Behavioral Health Systems in Virginia." Their presentation highlighted key findings from ongoing research focused on improving equitable communication and service delivery for individuals with limited English proficiency across Virginia's behavioral health system. A special thank you to Laura Taylor, Hilal Yalcin (Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, IPG), and Dr. Andrea Briceño Mosquera (Adjunct Professor, School of Public and International Affairs) for their dedicated contributions to this effort and for helping advance meaningful dialogue on language access and inclusion in behavioral health.

Lara Nagle, Community-based Research Manager, and IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. also had a presentation and poster related to the Floyd Donnkenny project accepted for ESC. Entitled "Community-engaged Design Process for the Donnkenny site in Floyd, VA," IPG graduate research assistants Aida Hassani (Master's Student in Urban and Regional Planning) and Helya Sehat (PhD Student in Planning, Governance, and Globalization) supported the poster presentation with Principal Investigator Elizabeth Gilboy (Director, Community Design Assistance Center). Gilboy, Harry Gleason, Project Manager, Community Design Assistance Center, Dr. Lisa Tucker, Professor and Director, Center for Historic Preservation, Virginia Tech, Karen Weber, Brownfields and Site Remediation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Andrew Morris, Town Manager, Town of Floyd.

Diane Deffenbaugh of Virginia Tech Outreach and International Affairs wrote an article about the Institute's involvement in the conference in that organization's newsletter, which you may find here.

Commonwealth of Virginia Children Services Act Conference

Family Research Unit Director Dr. Ciara Collins and Assistant Project Director Brian Salazar Zamora attended the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Children Services Act Conference in Roanoke October 15-16. This year's theme was "Elevating Youth Voices: Stepping into the Future."

2025 Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Conference

IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr., and Graduate Assistant Brad Stephens had a paper, "Theoretically and Pedagogically Grounding Nonprofit Capacity-Building: Centralizing the Role of the Imagination" accepted for presentation at the 2025 Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Conference. Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships Dr. David Moore will also present a paper at the conference entitled, "Employment Social Enterprises: Opportunities and obstacles for sustaining or enhancing employment programs for hard-to-employ populations." The conference will occur November 20-22 in Indianapolis, Indiana. You may find additional information here.

Drs. Stephenson and Moore will also attend the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council 2025 Annual Member Meeting on November 19 in Indianapolis. You may find additional information here.

IPG Summer Potluck

IPG hosted a summer potluck on Aug. 7 with our faculty, staff, and students. It was a great opportunity to get together socially before the start of the semester. Thank you to our graduate students who as always made delicious ethnic food representing their home countries!

Photo credit: Billy Parvatam.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

2024-2025 Annual Report

IPG is pleased to share its 2024-2025 Annual Report, featuring Institute project highlights, publications, and partnerships during the past year. We thank Community-Based Research Manager Lara Nagle, Communications Coordinator Billy Parvatam, and Business Manager Megan Notter for preparing this report with the help of IPG leadership, faculty, staff, and graduate students.

IPG Bids Goodbye to Andrea Briceño Mosquera

IPG said a bittersweet farewell to Research Scientist Dr. Andrea Briceño Mosquera in August. She was integral in several projects at the Institute, particularly those related to the Language Access Needs Assessment and Total Action for Progress initiatives. Andrea brought intellectual acumen, passion, and energy to our office and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best.

Photo courtesy of Andrea Briceño Mosquera.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Ben Grove is the Director of Development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. candidate in Planning, Governance, and Globalization in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. IPG Director Dr. Max Stephenson Jr. serves as his doctoral advisory chair. His primary research interest is understanding internationalization of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. Ben is an alumnus of the VALOR (Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results) program, a fellowship focused on the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry and a former VNRLI (Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute) fellow. He has worked in various roles at Virginia Tech since 2007. Ben previously earned a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences and an M.B.A. from Virginia Tech. He and his wife Lindsay live in Blacksburg and enjoy exploring the New River Valley and surrounding areas with their three sons, Hudson, Finley, and Wells.

GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Shahed Alhadyan is an Institute Graduate Assistant and a PhD student in the Planning, Governance, and Globalization (PGG) program at Virginia Tech. She earned a Bachelor of City Planning and Design and a Master of Urban Planning and Studies from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Irbid, Jordan.

Shahed is currently working on two community-based planning projects. The first, Refugees with Disabilities in Jordan: Challenges and Opportunities for Participation, explores ways to support the participation of Syrian refugees with disabilities in public life in Jordan. Working alongside Drs. Max Stephenson, Jr. and Lyusyena Kirakosyan from IPG, and Mohammad Nazzal from Al al-Bayt University, she is contributing by conducting literature reviews, coordinating with Jordanian partners, and helping prepare interview questions and related materials and translate them into English.

Her second project focuses on the Mount Rogers Community Services (MRCS) Smyth County Behavioral Health Campus (SCBHC) project and examines how design can support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Shahed is conducting a scoping literature review on design features and environmental considerations in crisis care settings. Her work explores layout, environmental comfort, safety, accessibility, social interaction, and the integration of nature, with the goal of identifying best practices, emerging approaches, and gaps in existing research.

Fun fact: When she’s not deep in data or planning theory, Shahed loves hiking scenic trails, sketching and photographing her surroundings, sharing laughs with friends, and exploring new cities, always chasing fresh views, vibrant cultures, and a good cup of coffee along the way.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Molly F. Todd is an Assistant Teaching Professor in International Affairs and Sociology and the Director of Honors in International Affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder. She earned her Interdisciplinary PhD (ASPECT) from Virginia Tech in 2023, working at the intersections of Borderlands and Cultural Studies. Dr. Todd’s thesis utilized collaborative methods to co-organize artistic residencies across borders, including a residency for the interactive U.S-Mexico border performance The Frontera Project. Her research was supported by and carried out in partnership with the Community Change Collaborative (CCC), the Institute for Policy and Governance, The Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, and her committee including Max Stephenson (co-chair), Laura Zanotti (co-chair), Desirée Poets, and Danille Christensen.

Molly continues to develop her research on border imaginaries and art across the Americas, with a focus on Brazil and Mexico. Towards these efforts, she hosted a residency for the Maré from the Inside collective at CU Boulder, an evolving multi-media arts exhibition from the Maré favela complex in Rio de Janeiro. Dr. Todd is also co-editing the forthcoming Critical and Interdisciplinary Displacement Studies Reader (VT Press), which includes her forthcoming chapter “Remapping dis-place-ment through art on the move: Encounters with Maré from the Inside”.

When she is not traveling, teaching, or researching, Molly enjoys doing yoga, snowboarding, and spending time with her friends and family in her home state of Colorado.

COMMENTARIES, ESSAYS & PUBLICATIONS

Soundings and Tidings

Commentary series authored by IPG Director Max Stephenson

October 1, 2025: Highlighting Deliberative Popular Sovereignty: A Central Valence of Democratic Politics and Freedom

July 1, 2025: On Moral Imagination and Courage

April 1, 2025: A Vibrant Intellectual Community

January 1, 2025: Reflections on Change

Five Pieces Worth Reading

A weekly news summary series curated by IPG Communications Coordinator Billy Parvatam can be accessed here.

Recent Books

Max Stephenson Jr., Kim Niewolny, Anna Erwin, and Laura Zanotti, Eds. Critical praxis and the social imaginary for sustainable food systems. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA, 2024. doi: 10.3389/978-2-8325-5480-7
Max Stephenson Jr. and Cathy Grimes, Eds. Conversations in Community Change: More Voices from the Field. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech Publishing, 2023.
Max Stephenson Jr. and Yannis Stivachtis, Eds., Policy and Politics of the Syrian Refugee Criss in Eastern Mediterranean States: National and Institutional Perspectives, E-International Relations, Bristol, U.K., 2023.
Max Stephenson Jr. and Lyusyena Kirakosyan, Eds., Re: Reflections and Explorations: Volume 3. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech Publishing, 2023.