Woody McKenzie, a long-time associate of the SENCER program, has a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by those who advocate reforming science education.  He also has an impressive track record of accomplishment in improving student learning and connecting that learning to issues of civic consequence.  Woody sees current disconnection between how learning is organized versus the intellectual challenges we face in the disciplines and in our society, at large.  In urging that more emphasis be placed on creating interdisciplinary courses and programs, he notes, "The world is just not parsed out like a college curriculum."

As a SENCER Leadership Fellow, Woody plans to work with colleagues to expand interdisciplinary offerings at Lynchburg, explore the use of environmental issues as themes for his own courses, and disseminate SENCER ideals and programs to science educators, including public school teachers, in his part of Virginia.

Woody was elected to the inaugural class of Leadership Fellows in July 2008.