Dr. Kirk is an interdisciplinary social scientist whose research explores community-university partnership dynamics, civic infrastructure, collective problem-solving, and systems thinking through the lens of organization theory. Prior to joining CENI, he held faculty and administrative appointments at Dickinson College (Center for Civic Learning & Action), Virginia Tech (VT Engage), James Madison University (Political Science), and Washington & Lee University (Lifelong Learning). His broad experience as a boundary spanner includes initiatives related to equitable higher education access, workforce development, disrupting the cradle-to-prison pipeline, environmental justice, and housing and food security. Gary is the founding editor of Dialogues: Education Research and Practice, and he serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Experiential Education. A first-generation college graduate from rural Appalachia, Kirk holds a PhD in environmental design and planning.