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Vikki L. Rodgers

  • Professor
  • Faculty Director of Integrated Sustainability
  • Science Director
Academic Division: Mathematics, Analytics, Science, and Technology
CV
781-239-5274
Dr. Rodgers is a professor of ecology who joined Babson College in September 2007 and currently serves as Science Director. She currently teaches ecology-based courses in: Socio-Ecological Urban Systems, Biomimicry, and Economic Botany. She received her B.S. in Biology at the University of New Hampshire and her Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and Biogeochemistry at Boston University. She regularly presents her ecology research at national conferences and her work is published in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as: BioScience, Journal of Ecology, Biogeochemistry, and Oecologia. She has received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence, the Faculty Scholarship Award, the Changemaker Award for positive social change on campus, and was named one of Poets and Quants Most Outstanding B-School Professors under 40 in the World.

Dr. Rodgers' research interests are focused on understanding the complex interactions and impacts that humans have with natural ecosystems. As a field ecologist she is interested in all aspects of global environmental change, but primarily focuses on the plant and soil effects of climate change and the spread of invasive species. She collaborates across disciplines to perform business sustainability research as well as pedagogical research to explore effective teaching strategies to engage non-majors in ecological literacy. She serves on the Ecological Society of America's (ESA's) 4DEE Framework committee as well as the Board of Directors for Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN).

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, Boston University
  • BS, University of New Hampshire

Awards & Honors

  • 2018 — "Editor's Choice" honor for article published in AoB PLANTS journal, AoB PLANTS journal
  • 2016 — Women Who Make A Difference, Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL)
  • 2015 — Changemaker Award , Lewis Institute
  • 2015 — One of the "40 Best Business School Professors under 40", Poets and Quants
  • 2014 — Faculty Scholarship/Research Award, Babson College
  • 2014 — Shelley Kaplan Sustainability Award for Research/Academics , Babson College
  • 2012 — Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching , Babson College

Courses

  • Degree Courses 2026

    • SES 2000 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

  • Degree Courses 2025

    • SCN 3600 BIOMIMICRY: APPLYING NATURES DESIGN
    • SES 2000 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

  • Degree Courses 2024

    • SCN 3600 BIOMIMICRY: APPLYING NATURES DESIGN
    • SES 2000 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Byrne, L., Rauschert, E., Rodgers, V.L., Bowser, G., Casper, A., Dewsbury, B., Morales, N., Vance-Chalcraft, H., Weber, L. (2025). Diversifying Ecology Education for Everyone Through More Inclusive, Interdisciplinary, and Accessible Teaching. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. Ecological Society of America.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Deets, S.G., Foster, S.Q., Schmitz, P., Way, M.M. (2025). An interdisciplinary, co-teaching approach to a course in urban social-ecological systems. Urban Ecosystems. Vol: 28. link
  • Rodgers, V.L., Scanga, S., Byrne, L., St. Juliana, J., Honea, J., Tietjen, E., Leggett, Z., Middendorf, G. (2024). Four dimensional ecology education for everyone. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Vol: 22, Issue: 6, Page: e2749. Ecological Society of America. link
  • Erzurumlu, S.S., Deets, S.G., Nersessian, D., Rodgers, V.L. (2023). Strategic Engagement of Business with Sustainable Development Goals: A Systems Thinking Approach. Business Strategy and the Environment. Wiley. link
  • Rodgers, V.L., Scanga, S., Kolosvary, M., Garneau, D., Kilgore, J., Anderson, L.J., Hopfensberger, K., Aguilera, A., Urban, R., Juneau, K. (2022). Where is garlic mustard: Understanding the context for dense invasions of Alliaria petiolata. BioScience. Vol: 72, Issue: 6, Page: 521-537. Oxford University Press. link
  • Anderson, L., Dosch, J., Linquist, E., McCay, T., Machado, J., Kuers, K., Gartner, T., Shea, K., Rodgers, V.L., Saunders, P., Urban, R., Johnson, D., Kilgore, J., Petersen, M., Powell, A., Ramage, B., Steinweg, M., Straub, J., Bunnell, S., Witkovsky, M. (2020). Undergraduate collaborative science: An Assessment of student learning in the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN). Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research. Vol: 4, Issue: 1, Page: 15-29. Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research .
  • Griffith, A.B., Rodgers, V.L., Dukes, J.S. (2020). Demographic analysis of invasible habitat fraction identifies context-dependent roles of resource availability and biotic resistance in determining invasion success. Journal of Ecology. Vol: 109, Issue: 2, Page: 714-726. Journal of Ecology. link
  • Deets, S.G., Rodgers, V.L., Erzurumlu, S.S., Nersessian, D. (2020). Systems Thinking as a Tool for Teaching Undergraduate Business Students Humanistic Management. Humanistic Management Journal. link
  • Wynstra, C.B., Cummings, K.H., Rodgers, V.L., Stillwagon, J.R., Tosti-Kharas, J. (2020). "Teaching 'Beyond the Horizon': Transdisciplinary Approaches". Eugene O'Neill Review, The. Vol: 41, Issue: 1, Page: 69-91. Penn State University Press.
  • Beitelspacher, L.S., Rodgers, V.L. (2018). Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility Awareness into a Retail Management Course. Journal of Marketing Education. Vol: 40, Issue: 1, Page: 66-76.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Smith, N.G., Hoeppner, S.S., Dukes, J.S. (2018). Warming increases the sensitivity of seedling growth capacity to rainfall in six temperate deciduous tree species. AoB PLANTS. Annals of Botany.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Krcmar, D.M. (2018). Bridging the boundaries of science and art for business students: Integrating botany and artistic perspectives to teach environmental literacy. Journal of Sustainability Education.
  • Deets, S.G., Greenberg, D., Erzurumlu, S.S., Hunt, J.M., Manwaring, M.M., Rodgers, V.L., Swanson, E. (2017). Signing to Living PRME: Learning from a Journey Towards Responsible Management Education. The International Journal of Management Education. Vol: 15, Issue: 2, Page: 205-218.
  • Smith, N.G., Rodgers, V.L., Brzostek, E., Kulmatiski, A., Avolio, M.L., Koerner, S.E., Hoover, D., Grant, K., Jentshe, A., Fatichi, S., Niyogi, D. (2014). Toward a better integration of biological data from precipitation manipulation experiments into Earth system models. Reviews of Geophysics. Vol: 52, Issue: 3, Page: 412–434. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. link
  • Rodgers, V.L. (2014). Pitching environmental science to business majors: Engaging students in renewable energy choices. Journal of College Science Teaching. Vol: 43, Issue: 5, Page: 28-32. link
  • Rodgers, V.L., Hoeppner, S.S., Daley, M.J., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Leaf Level Gas Exchange and Foliar Chemistry of Common Old Field Species. International Journal of Plant Sciences. Vol: 173, Issue: 9, Page: 957-970. University of Chicago Press. link
  • Laprise, S., Pilips, J., Rodgers, V.L., Winrich, C. (2011). Practice-oriented science education for business students. International Journal of Science in Society, The. Vol: 2, Issue: 3, Page: 235-242.
  • Lester, T., Rodgers, V.L. (2011). Teaching a cross disciplinary environmental science, policy and culture course on Costa Rica’s ecotourism to business students. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. Vol: 2, Issue: 3, Page: 234-238.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Dukes, J., Pontius, J., Orwig, D., Warren, G., Cooke, B., Brazee, N., Ayers, M., Hrrington, R., Theoharides, K., Lerdau, M., Wick, R., Ehrenfeld, J., Gurevitch, J., Stange, E., Stinson, K. (2009). The responses of pests, pathogens and invasive species to climate change in the forests of Northeastern North America: What can we predict?. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. Issue: 29, Page: 231-248.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Finzi, A. (2009). Bottom-up rather than top-down processes regulate the abundance and activity of nitrogen fixing plants. Biogeochemistry. Vol: 95, Issue: 2-3, Page: 309-321.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Gallet-Budynek, A., Brzostek, E., Talbot, J., Hyzy, S., Finzi, A. (2009). Contribution of organic and inorganic N sources to root uptake in two intact temperate forest soils. Oecologia. Vol: 160, Issue: 1, Page: 129-138.
  • Wolfe, B.E., Rodgers, V.L., Stinson, K.A., Pringle, A. (2008). The invasive plant Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) inhibits ectomycorrhizal fungi in its introduced range. Journal of Ecology. Vol: 96, Page: 777-783.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Wolfe, B.E., Werden, L.K., Finzi, A.C. (2008). The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability in northern hardwood-conifer forests. Oecologia. Vol: 157, Page: 455-471.
  • Rodgers, V.L., Stinson, K.A., Finzi, A.C. (2008). Ready or not, garlic mustard is moving in: Alliaria petiolata as a member of eastern deciduous forests. BioScience. Vol: 58, Issue: 5, Page: 426-436.

Book Chapters

  • Rodgers, V.L. (2021). Supply Chain Innovation to Reduce Ecological Impact: Teaching Entrepreneurship: A Practice-Based Approach. Edward Elgar Publication.
  • Greenberg, D., Beitelspacher, L.S., Rodgers, V.L. (2020). A Systems Approach to Transformational Responsible Management Learning & Education: The SAGE Handbook of Responsible Management Learning and Education. Page: 363-377. Sage Publications.
  • Rodgers, V.L. (2015). A SEERS approach to analyzing impact: Using a science research project to evaluate product life cycle sustainability: Evolving Entrepreneurial Education: Innovation in the Babson Classroom. Emerald.
  • Winrich, C.D., Rodgers, V.L., Maclean, M.G., Blodgett, D.M., Schaefer, J. (2015). Science education as entrepreneurial thought and action methodology: Evolving Entrepreneurial Education: Innovation in the Babson Classroom. Emerald.

Presentations

  • An undergraduate curriculum with a required, non-majors ecology course designed using the 4DEE framework Rodgers, V. Blodgett, D. Winrich, C. Carey, J. Foster, S. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California (2024)
  • Using 4DEE to engage the largest group of non-majors (the business student) in learning ecology Rodgers, V. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California (2024)
  • Integrating social science with ecology to address the HEI dimension for non-majors Rodgers, V. 4DEE Faculty Mentoring Network, Online (2023)
  • Integrating social science with ecology to address the human-environment interaction dimension in 4DEE Rodgers, V. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)
  • Transdisciplinary Systems Thinking: Exploring the Uncommon Through the Commonplace Book Rodgers, V. Pinard, M. Lilly Conference on Evidence-based Teaching and Learning, Austin, TX (2023)
  • Negotiating and advocating for yourself and others in the workplace Rodgers, V. Graduate Women's Natural Resources group seminar, Online (2023)
  • Understanding the Ecological Context for Garlic Mustard Invasion Rodgers, V. Babson Faculty Research Day, Wellesley, MA (2023)
  • Understanding the Ecological Context for Garlic Mustard Invasion Rodgers, V. Scanga, S. Ecological Society of America's (ESA) Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada (2022)
  • Applying the 4DEE framework to guide the development of ecological literacy for non-majors Rodgers, V. Scanga, S. Byrne, L. Tietjen, E. Honea, J. St Juliana, J. Middendorf, G. Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS), Towson, Maryland (2022)
  • Using the 4-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework to Create Learning Opportunities for Non-Majors Rodgers, V. Scanga, S. 7th Life Discovery Conference - Doing Science Biology Education conference, Estes Park, CO (2021)
  • Integrating 4DEE Teaching into ESA Members’ Faculty Mentoring Networks Cid, C. Doherty, J. Berkowitz, A. Klemow, K. Middendorf, G. Prevost, L. Rodgers, V. Sorenson, A. 105th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America , Online (2021)
  • Fostering interdisciplinary thinking through lessons that follow the 4DEE approach Rodgers, V. Middendorf, G. Klemow, K. 6th Life Discovery – Doing Science Biology Education conference, Online (2020)
  • Applying ESA’s 4DEE framework to guide the development of ecological literacy for non-majors Rodgers, V. Berkowitz, A. Bjorgo-Thorne, K. Cid, C. Doherty, J. Klemow, K. Middendorf, G. Mourad, T. Sorensen, A. 105th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America , Online (2020)
  • Incorporating spatial heterogeneity into plant population models to quantify the fraction of invasible habitat across the landscape Rodgers, V. Griffith, A. Dukes, J. 105th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Online (2020)
  • Values-Based Leadership in a Time of Crisis Rodgers, V. Chairs & Directors Panel , Online (2020)
  • Addressing the Anthropocene through Integrated Teaching of Science and Art Rodgers, V. Lily Conference, San Diego, CA (2020)
  • Plant Responses from the Boston Area Climate Experiment (BACE) Rodgers, V. Stonehill College Biology Research Seminar, Easton, MA (2019)
  • Integrating the modeling of ecological cycles and energy flow Rodgers, V. 104th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) , Louisville, KY (2019)
  • Identifying patterns for garlic mustard invasion success Rodgers, V. Aguilera, A. Hopfensperger, K. Kilgore, J. Garneau, D. Scanga, S. Kolozsvary, M. Urban, R. Saunders, P. Juneau, K. Anderson, L. Northeastern Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA (2019)
  • Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN): Multi-site Collaborative Research in the Classroom Rodgers, V. Life Discovery Conference (LDC), Gainesville, FL (2019)
  • Investigations of Climate Change with Plant Co-Invasion in the Field Rodgers, V. Babson Research Day, Babson College (2019)
  • A New EREN project identifying patterns for garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) invasion success Rodgers, V. Hopfensperger, K. Kilgore, J. Aguilera, A. Scanga, S. Kolozsvary, M. Anderson, L. 103rd Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, New Orleans, LA (2018)
  • Field Ecology Research Rodgers, V. Sharon High School STEM Night, Sharon, MA (2018)
  • Art and ecology in the anthropocene: Integrating artistic perspectives with ecological systems thinking in a course for non-majors Rodgers, V. Krcmar, D. 102nd Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Portland, Oregon (2017)
  • Using Concept Diagrams to Connect Ecological and Social Systems-Level Thinking Rodgers, V. 102nd Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Portland, Oregon (2017)
  • Fluctuating resources and herbivory interact to influence the demography of a novel plant population Rodgers, V. Griffith, A. Dukes, J. British Ecological Society Annual Meeting, Liverpool, United Kingdom (2016)
  • Careers in Academia Rodgers, V. Invited panelist for: BU's Graduate Women in Science & Engineering Career Panel, Boston University, Boston, MA (2016)
  • Experimental test of the theory of fluctuating resource availability as a driver for invasion establishment Rodgers, V. Griffith, A. Dukes, J. Botany conference, Savannah, GA (2016)
  • Diagraming Systems-Level Connections with SEERS Rodgers, V. CELT Faculty Learn & Share, Babson College (2016)
  • A collaborative sustainability project uniting social, environmental and economic perspectives Rodgers, V. Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences conference, Washington DC (2016)
  • Distractingly Sexy in the Sciences and Beyond Rodgers, V. CWEL Gender Luncheon Panel, Babson College (2016)
  • An entrepreneurial approach to environmental education: Engaging future business leaders Rodgers, V. Invited speaker for: Tufts Environmental Studies Lunch & Learn, Tufts University, Medford, MA (2016)
  • Connecting ecology to business applications: Creating an ecology course relevant for undergraduate business students Rodgers, V. Life Discovery: Doing Science Biology Education Conference, Linthicum Heights, MD (2016)
  • Fluctuating resources and invasion establishment: linking demography with environmental drivers Rodgers, V. Griffith, A. Dukes, J. 100th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Baltimore, MD (2015)
  • Bridging the boundaries of art, science, and business: Integrating botanical art perspectives into a science class for business students Rodgers, V. Krcmar, D. 7th Meeting of the Association of Environmental Studies and Science (AESS) , San Diego, CA (2015)
  • Pitching environmental science to business majors: Engaging students in environmental technology tradeoffs Rodgers, V. 6th Meeting of the Association of Environmental Studies and Science (AESS) , New York, NY (2014)
  • The responses of six common tree species exposed to experimentally altered climate at the Boston Area Climate Experiment (BACE) Rodgers, V. Hoeppner, S. Dukes, J. 5th Meeting of the Association of Environmental Studies and Science (AESS) , Pittsburgh, PA (2013)
  • Climate Change Influences Plant Communities of New England Rodgers, V. Rhode Island College Biology Department Research Seminar , Providence RI (2012)
  • Responses of Leaf Characteristics to Experimentally Altered Climate Conditions Rodgers, V. Hoeppner, S. 97th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America , Portland, OR (2012)
  • Plant Responses from Boston Area Climate Experiment Rodgers, V. Wellesley College Science Faculty Seminar Series , Wellesley MA (2012)
  • Connecting Environmental Science with Hands-On Business Applications in the Classroom Rodgers, V. 3rd Meeting of the Association of Environmental Studies and Science , Burlington, VT (2011)
  • Mixing Students Across Disciplines in Cap-Stone Project Rodgers, V. Winrich, C. McKenna, L. 59th National Science Teacher Association , San Francisco (2011)
  • Transforming Laboratory Experiments using Sensor Technology Rodgers, V. Winrich, C. Lapise , S. 59th National Science Teacher Association , San Francisco (2011)
  • Capstone Project Demonstrating the Role of Science, Technology, and Bioethics in Business Innovation Rodgers, V. National Association of Biology Teachers , Denver CO (2010)
  • Experimentally Altered Climate Conditions Cause Changes in Photosynthesis Rodgers, V. Hoeppner, S. 95th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America , Pittsburgh, PA (2010)
  • The Effects of Warming in Precipitation Change Rodgers, V. Hoeppner, S. 95th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America , Pittsburgh, PA (2010)
  • Analysis of DNA Barcodes to Identify and Distinguish Between Two Groups of Native and Invasive Plant Species Rodgers, V. Laprise , S. National Conference of American Society of Plant Biology , Montreal, Canada (2010)
  • Using Innovation to Develop an Understanding and Appreciation of Science, Technology, and Societal Needs Rodgers, V. Winrich, C. 58th National Science Teacher Association Conference , Philadelphia PA (2010)
  • Plant Shifts in Photosynthesis and Transpiration Rates in Response to Experimentally Altered Climates Rodgers, V. , . 94th Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Albuquerque NM (2009)
  • Photosynthetic Responses of the Old-Field Herbaceous Community Rodgers, V. Boston Area Climate Change Conference , Waltham, MA (2009)
  • Science and Society: Exploring the Interaction Between Technology and Humanity Rodgers, V. Winrich, C. Philips, J. Holt, S. 57th National Science Teachers Association , New Orleans, LA (2009)
  • Responses of Invasive Plants and Insect Pests to Climate Change in Northeastern North American Forests Rodgers, V. Northern Forest Alliance Conference on Climate Change , Hanover, NH (2008)
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Professional Services

  • Board Member Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN) (2023 - Present)
  • Committee Chair Non-Majors Working Group for ESA's 4DEE Subcommittee (2021 - 2024)
  • Member ESA's 4DEE Subcommittee on Diversity and Education (2019 - 2024)
  • Chairperson ESA's Odum Ecology Education Award Committee (2018 - 2021)
  • Board Member Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN) (2017 - 2020)
  • Research Site Coordinator Boston Area Climate Experiment (2017 - 2020)

Professional Memberships

  • Botanical Society of America (2012 - Present)
  • Ecological Research as Education Network (2012 - Present)
  • Ecological Society of America (2002 - Present)

Department & College Wide Services

  • Appointments Decision-Making Body (Fall 2022 - Summer 2026)
  • Posse Faculty Mentor (Summer 2017 - Summer 2021)
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Revision Committee (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021)
  • Environmental Sustainability Concentration Coordinator (Fall 2012 - Spring 2019)
  • Honors Council (Fall 2013 - Spring 2016)
  • Undergraduate Academic Policy Committee (Fall 2014 - Winter 2016)
  • Babson-Olin-Wellesley Committee (Fall 2013 - Spring 2014)
  • Teaching Innovation Fund Committee (Fall 2012 - Spring 2014)