Mark Timothy Lassiter, PhD

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies / Biology,

Director,Christian Environmental Studies Center @ Montreat College

Director, Consortium for Environmental Curriculum Development and Research

Montreat College
Montreat, North Carolina 28757
Work: 704-669-8012, ext. 3303
e-mail: mlassiter@montreat.edu,
Web-http//cesc.montreat.edu; Fax: 704-669-9554

Teaching: Engaged Learning. Mentorship. Self-initiative.

Education

The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia - BS and MS in Biology

North Carolina State University, PhD in Insect Physiology [Biochemistry/Toxicology]

Research: Juvenile hormone metabolism in mosquitoes and ticks. House dust mite ecology.

Ongoing interests: Metabolism, Environmental analysis, Minimal environmental impact pesticides, Chemical recycling protocols, and Monitoring water pollutants.

Teaching Honors: The David L. Parks Distinguished Professor Award, Who's Who Among America's Teachers

Background and an Innovative Approach to Education

Mark received his undergraduate and Master's degree from the College of William and Mary, where upon graduation, he played a key role in the initiation of the Virginia Division of Parks' Environmental Education program. In his following position as Head Science Instructor at Carlisle School, Mark taught all the middle and high school sciences and launched his pursuit to provide students with a strong science foundation integrating all disciplines of Environmental Studies. To make this dream a reality, Mark left secondary education to take a staff / faculty positions in Organic Chemistry and Biology at North Carolina State University where he earned his PhD. Here, he began preparation for collegiate instruction where he could foster independent investigation and encourage his students to extend their training through experientially addressing issues that they study.

The Environmental Studies (ES) Degree that Mark designed for Montreat College received a commendation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Mark's passion in teaching is to encourage the collegiate student's self-initiative and provide a training that is strongly grounded in scientific principles and applied professional experience that integrates with the societal complexities of this field. His desire is that the student become the autonomous learner, making independent applications and fostering self-initiative. Mark actively recruits students as joint authors in collaborative professional projects and grants to uniquely extend their training. The student can become a part of collaborative efforts through numerous organizations such as the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities, Evangelical Environmental Network, Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies, the Christian Environmental Association, American Scientific Affiliation, Consortium for Environmental Curriculum Development and Research, the Christian Environmental Studies Center @ Montreat College (CESC), and other community projects. Mark's directorship of a national and regional collaborative center, the CESC, provides resources for environmental education, awareness, and a rare link with the Christian community. This center enables collaboration with professional organizations and coalitions and can potentially prompt participation with numerous national Christian conference centers in our Western North Carolina area.

When a student's educational training enables such independent excellence in the exploration of environmental issues, Mark takes the role of the learner by moving the student past him to pursue their interests. He joins them as peers in joint investigations and applications of their interests. As evidence of student inspiration, his students continue to join him in authoring successful grant and service ventures.

To importantly add to the joy in Mark's life, he is married to Juliana, Director of WORDplay Drama Ministries and they have a daughter, Hannah, and a son, Joshua.

All is placed into our Lord's hands....