Center Director, SSU Sustainability Programs Director
Dr. Claudia Luke guides and grows the Center to teach students and community the skills needed to solve the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Since coming to SSU in 2007, she has established the Center for Environmental Inquiry by combining the inspirational learning experiences at SSU’s three preserves (4200-acres) with programs that engage faculty and students in finding solutions to North Bay challenges. Under her direction, programs have grown 10-fold, and now annually engage 3,000 SSU, K-12 and community members with 50 faculty and 90 partnering organizations.
Claudia earned her Ph.D. in Zoology from UC Berkeley in 1989. Since 1993, she has worked for the University of California and California State University field stations and marine laboratories. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively on building regional research-management collaborations targeting watershed management, habitat connectivity, biodiversity, fire, education and environmental technology. Her tireless enthusiasm comes from a desire to share the awe of nature and excitement of “aha!” moments that can only come from a love affair with discovery.