Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies

Hood-Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies (Hood-CCWS) studies all aspects of coastal environments and the watersheds that culminate at our shorelines. As a center of excellence within Hood College, we strive to connect students with coastal environments, research important issues and provide local opportunities to make a positive change. Our work is primarily divided into three focus areas:

Coastal Studies

Hood-CCWS is located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a premier estuarine system that provides unique opportunities for coastal investigations. We use science to find solutions for environmental problems in a socially responsible manner. Starting locally and expanding regionally, we work with communities and organizations to improve water quality, while fostering valuable experiential learning for our students.

Vision

Our past and future come together in coastal environments. In keeping with the best of Hood’s liberal arts tradition, our aim is to provide a framework for multi-disciplinary learning and research by students and faculty with the goal of understanding the genesis, complexities, and possible solutions to environmental and social issues that impact the coastlines and watersheds of our region, nation and world. Simultaneously, we prepare our students to use state-of-the-art technologies and practices that can lead them into productive careers and lives of service within our communities.

Learn more about Dr. Ferrier on his Faculty Bio Page.

Tel: 301-696-3660
Email: dferrier@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center, Room 308 E
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday 10:30 a.m. - noon or by appointment

Email: jc32@hood.edu
Office: in the gardens and greenhouses!
Office Hours: By Appointment

Catherine Gaudlip web photo Catherine has been at Hood for ~3 years, serving as a field and lab technician on many environmental service contracts, with a BS in Environmental Science (Washington College, '19).

Tel: 301-696-3540
Email: gaudlip@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center, Room 308 A
Office Hours: By Appointment

Gohl headshot for website Gina (MPH, 2013) is a returned peace corps volunteer who served in PC Nepal food security program. She joined CCWS in 2021 as the Frederick Food Security Network Manager.

Tel: 301-696-3289
Email: Gohl@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center
Office Hours: By Appointment

Katie Huy website photo Katie (BA '06) is a Coastal Studies Program alum ('04 & '06) and has been an adjunct professor for the Coastal Studies program since 2013. Katie joined the team in 2021 as the CCWS Academic Program Coordinator for the Sustainability Major and Coastal Studies Program.

Tel: 301-696-3318
Email: huy@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center, Room 308 F
Office Hours: By Appointment

Dr. Kindahl website headshot Learn more about Dr. Kindahl on his faculty page

Tel: 301-696-3659
Email: kindahl@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center, Room 156
Office Hours: By Appointment

Susan (MS '99) joined CCWS in 2014 on a educational outreach grant. She manages a variety of our environmental services projects and is an adjunct instructor for Coastal Studies Semester.

Tel: 301-696-3652
Email: simonson@hood.edu
Office: Hodson Science & Technology Center, Room 308 F
Office Hours: By Appointment

Southgate Bio photo in front of lake Emily Southgate was formerly a Research Associate Professor at Rutgers University, where she did research at the intersection of ecology and history. She has worked extensively with the National Park Service in their cultural parks, providing historical ecological background to help guide management of their natural resources. She was visiting scholar at Harvard University, where, together with colleagues, she integrated data from palynological research in the northeastern United States to arrive at a composite picture of changing forest composition over the last 500 years. Her book, “People and the Land Through Time. Linking Ecology and History” (Yale Univ. Press, 2019) has inspired both ecologists and environmental historians to incorporate each others’ fields in their research. She is also active in the environmental community in Virginia, serving on the Board of the Virginia Native Plant Society and as a “citizen scientist” sampling stream macroinvertebrates, birds for the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas, and grassland vegetation.

Email: ewbsouthgate@gmail.com
Office Hours: By Appointment

Student Stories

Heidi in graduation gown with Hood professor and advisor

Heidi Gonzalez Ramirez ’22 | Q&A

Community Service Alumni Undergraduate Student

Heidi reflects on her community service as a student with Hood’s Frederick Food Security Network.

Academics
Experiential Learning
Community Involvement

Hood Grad Student to pursue her PhD on aquatic insects

Q&A '22 Alumni Graduate Student

Earning her M.S. in Environmental Biology in September '22, Kierstyn Higgins reflects on her experience as a graduate student while at Hood College. In the Fall, she will begin her doctoral degree in Ecology at the Pennsylvania State University.

Academics
Experiential Learning
Natural Sciences

Katelyn on a Coastal Studies trip to Swallow Falls in Western Maryland

Katelyn Valla Soars Onward from The Center for Coastal and Watersheds Studies Coop!

In Katelyn's words, "Key to My Success was the Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies..". Undergraduate Student

This Hood Story is written first hand by Katelyn Valla. She has shared her personal account of working with The Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies. It is the pleasure of CCWS to highlight Katie's accomplishments! Please take a moment to connect with CCWS as we celebrate all Katie has learned and shared with our Hood community and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.