Faculty and Staff

Department of Community Studies Faculty/Staff

Rigopoulou-Melcher, Aspasia (2000)
Director, Community Development
Associate Professor of Community Studies
B.S., 1985, Business Management and Economics, West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
MPIA, 1987, Economic and Social Development, Rural Development, Southern Europe, and European Union Regional and Agricultural Policy, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Graduate Certificate, Project Planning and Development, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Ph.D. / MURP, 2000, Urban and Regional Planning and Economic Development, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Areas of Specialization: Post-industrial urban and regional economic development, High Technology Development, Public and Private Partnerships, Housing, rural and community development and capacity building.

E-mail: arigopoulou@stcloudstate.edu

Ugochukwu, Chuks (2005)
Assistant Professor of Community Studies
B.Arch., Architecture, 1989, University of Houston
M.Arch., Architecture, 1991, University of Houston
Ph.D. 2004, Urban Design, Jackson State University

Areas of Specialization: Heritage/Historic Preservation; Urban Design; Architecture; Urban/Regional Planning

E-mail: ccugochukwu@stcloudstate.edu

Van Assche, Kristof (2005)
Assistant Professor of Community Studies
M.A., 1996, Art History, Leuven University (Belgium)
M.S.C., 2000, Landscape Architecture, Wageningen University (The Netherlands)
M.A., 2003, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Leuven University
Ph.D., 2004, Spatial Planning, Wageningen University

Areas of Specialization: Land use planning, planning & culture

Email: kvanassche@stcloudstate.edu

Greenberg, Phyllis A. (1998)
Gerontology Graduate Coordinator
Associate Professor of Community Studies
B.A. 1976, History/Social Science, California State University
M.P.A. (Public Administration)1985, Seattle University
Ph.D. 1997, Family Studies/Adult Development and Aging, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Certificate in Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Areas of Specialization: Policy; Chemical addictions/mental health and older adults; Diversity; Sexuality; Women and aging.

Email: pgreenberg@stcloudstate.edu

Karasik, Rona J. (1993)
Director, Gerontology Program
Professor of Community Studies
B.A. 1986, Psychology, University of Connecticut
M.A.,Family Studies (Gerontology), 1989, University of Connecticut;
Certificate in Gerontology, 1989, University of Connecticut/Travelers Center on Aging
Ph.D. 1993, Individual and Family Studies (Aging), University of Delaware

Areas of Specialization: Housing for Older Adults; Intergenerational Service-Learning; Dementia; Aging and Developmental Disabilities.

E-mail: karasik@stcloudstate.edu

Tripp, Luke S. (1989)
Chair, Department of Community Studies
Professor of Community Studies
Chemical Engineering Major, 1960, St. Benedict's College, Atkinson, Kansas.
B.S. 1966, Unified Science (Math/Physics), Wayne State University
M.A. 1974, Higher Education, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ph.D. 1980, Higher Education, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Areas of Specialization: The Black Community, Black college students, racial issues in America.

E-mail: lstripp@stcloudstate.edu

Villanueva, Margaret A. (2000)
Professor of Community Studies
B.A. 1980, Latin American Studies/Latin American Literature, University of California-Santa Cruz
M.A. 1982, Comparative World History, University of California-Santa Cruz
Ph.D. 1991, Sociology, University of California-Santa Cruz

Areas of Specialization: Latino communities in the Midwest, immigration, Latina women’s issues, culture & community, racial and ethnic relations

E-mail: mvillanueva@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/mavillanueva

In Memory of Kent A. Robertson (April 29, 1953-February 24, 2007)
Director, Community Development
Professor of Community Studies
B.A. 1975, Political Science, Wake Forest University;
M.C.P. 1977, Community Planning, University of Cincinnati;
Ph.D. 1981, Urban Affairs & Public Policy, University of Delaware