Not exactly planned, but I'm on my way towards a doctorate in environmental science and policy at George Mason University. Applying in May/June 2010 I was accepted as a "non-degree" seeking student because the university only accepts PhD applications for the fall semester and the deadline had long passed. It doesn't look like switching into the PhD program will be an issue next fall. R. Chris Jones (http://mason.gmu.edu/~rcjones/) has agreed to be my primary advisor and Peter Balint (http://classweb.gmu.edu/pbalint/) will also serve on my committee. My plan is to evaluate the current Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Watershed Implementation Plan process currently going on between the six states and DC that make up the bay's watershed (http://www.epa.gov/chesapeakebaytmdl/). The scale, scope, stakeholder involvement, timeline, and complex modeling make this a very interesting topic and one that lets me put some of my previous work at the USGS and PSI to good use. This semester my classes are policy heavy and include Environmental Conflict Resolution and the Public Policy Process. As a staff member at Mason (working on the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment) I am able to take 12 credits a year free of charge and hope to continue to take advantage of this benefit until the degree requirements are complete.
It's a little difficult to manage the schedules, but not overwhelmingly so. My plan is to post my course work on this blog slightly edited so you don't feel left out by not being in the class discussions.
Be well, keep in touch and if ever in Washington please let me know,
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