Becky Ball
Professor,
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Other ASU affiliations
Central Arizona-Phoenix Long Term Ecological Research
School of Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate faculty
Affiliated Faculty,
Center for Biodiversity Outcomes
Water Institute
Global Drylands Center
Senior Global Futures Scientist,
Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
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Phone: 602-543-2010
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Fax: 602/543-6073
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Arizona State University West Campus School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences 4701 W Thunderbird Rd Glendale, AZ 85306
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Mail code: 2352Campus: West
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Long Bio
Becky Ball is a Professor in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at ASU. At ASU, she is the Lead PI and Director of the Central Arizona-Phoenix LTER (CAP LTER), and the Program Lead for the environmental science degrees. She joined the faculty in 2010, after postdoctoral research associate at Dartmouth College. She earned her PhD from the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology in 2007.
Ball's primary research interests are soil biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology. Her field- and laboratory-based research seeks to increase our mechanistic understanding of soil biogeochemical (nutrient cycling) processes and how they are being impacted by human-induced environmental change. To address these topics, she has worked in a variety of systems (including temperate deciduous forests, agricultural systems, and polar and hot deserts) to examine consequences of various types of human-induced environmental change (including species diversity, climate change, and land use), and has involved a variety of cross-system comparisons (including terrestrial-aquatic, above- and belowground, and cross-site). Currently, her research focuses on 'extreme' ecosystems, including the rapidly urbanizing Sonoran Desert in and around Phoenix, AZ and the polar ecosystems of Antarctica.
Education
- Ph.D. Ecology, University of Georgia 2007
- B.A.Biology (Honors), Goucher College 2002
Research Website URL
Google Scholar URL
Experts.asu.edu URL
ORCID Profile ID
Research Interests
Dr. Becky Ball's research focuses on the factors that control nutrient dynamics and decomposition in soils. Dr. Ball works to improve our mechanistic understanding of soil biogeochemical processes to allow improved predictions of how these processes will be affected by global change. Current work is focused on soil biodiversity and biogeochemistry in Antarctica, as well as the Sonoran Desert through the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research program (CAP-LTER). Her lab works to understand how deserts (both hot and cold) will respond to various forms of global change.
Publications
- Klein, R., B.A. Ball. 2024. The influence of soil properties on abundance and diversity of low-Arctic soil mesofauna communities. Polar Biology 47: 617-627.
- Khan, A., B.A. Ball. 2024. Soil microbial responses to simulated climate change across polar ecosystems. Science of the Total Environment 909: 168556.
- Williamson, M., B.A. Ball. 2023. Soil biogeochemical responses to multiple co-occurring forms of human-induced environmental change. Oecologia 201: 1109-1121.
- Ball, B., P. Convey, K. Feeser, U. Nielsen, D. Van Horn. 2023. Habitat severity structures soil communities at fine and broad spatial scales along the Antarctica Peninsula. Antarctic Science (in press).
- Xue, X., B. Adhikari, B.A. Ball, J.E. Barrett, J. Miao, A. Perkes, M. Martin, B.L. Simmons, D.H. Wall, and B.J. Adams. 2023. Ecological stoichiometry drives the evolution of soil nematode life history traits. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 177: 108891.
- Ball, B.A., K. Bergin, A. Morrison. 2023. Vegetation influences desert soil arthropods and their response to altered precipitation. Journal of Arid Environments 208: 104873.
- Ball, B., M. Haberkorn, E. Ortiz. 2022 Mesofauna community influences litter chemical trajectories during early-stage litter decay. Pedobiologia. 95: 150844.
- Ball, B., L. Christenson, K. Wickings. 2022. A cross-system analysis of litter chemical dynamics throughout decomposition. Ecosystems.
- Ball, B., P. Convey, K. Feeser, U. Nielsen, D. Van Horn. 2022. Environmental harshness mediates the relationship between aboveground and belowground communities in Antarctica. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 164: 108493.
- Dietrich, S.W., D. Goelman, J. Broatch, S. Crook, B. Ball, K. Kobojek, J. Ortiz. 2021. Introducing databases in context through customizable visualizations. Frontiers in Education, section Digital Education 6: 719134.
- Rowe, H., T. Sprague, B. Ball, D. Langenfeld, L. Rivera. (in press) Restoring closed trails in the Sonoran Desert: interactions of seed timing, seed source, and ripping. Restoration Ecology.
- Bilderback, A.H., A.J. Torres, M. Vega, B. Ball. 2021. The structural and nutrient chemistry of decomposing cacti in the Sonoran Desert. Journal of Arid Environments. 195: 104636.
- Dietrich, S.W., D. Goelman, J. Broatch, S. Crook, B. Ball, K. Kobojek, J. Ortiz. 2020. Using formative assessment for improving pedagogy: Reflections on feedback informing database visualizations. ACM Inroads 11(4): 27-34.
- Wlostowski, A.N., N.O. Schulte, B.J. Adams, B.A. Ball, R.M. Esposito, M.N. Gooseff, W.B. Lyons, U.N. Nielsen, R.A. Virginia, D.H. Wall, K.A. Welch, D.M. McKnight. 2019. The hydroecology of an ephemeral wetland in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 124(12):3814-3830.
- Ball, B.A., M. Christman, S.J. Hall. 2019. Nutrient dynamics during photodegradation of plant litter in the Sonoran Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 160: 1-10.
- Aanderud, A.Z., S. Saurey, B.A. Ball, D.H. Wall, J.E. Barrett, M. Muscarella, N. Griffin, R.A. Virginia, B.J. Adams. 2018. Stoichiometric shifts in soil C:N:P promote bacterial taxa dominance, maintain biodiversity, and deconstruct community assemblages. Frontiers in Microbiology 9: 1401.
- Alvarez Guevara, J.N. and Ball, B.A. 2018. Urbanization alters small rodent community composition but not abundance. PeerJ. 6:e4885.
- Ball, B.A., B.J. Adams, J.E. Barrett, D.H. Wall, R.A. Virginia. 2018. Soil biological responses to C, N and P fertilization in a polar desert of Antarctica. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 122: 7-18.
- Carrillo, Y., B.A. Ball, and M. Molina. 2016. Stoichiometric linkages between plant litter, trophic interactions and nitrogen mineralization across the litter-soil interface. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 92: 102-110.
- Ball, B.A. and R. Virginia. 2015. Controls on diel soil CO2 flux across moisture gradients in a polar desert. Antarctic Science. 27(6): 527-534.
- Ball, B.A. and J. Alvarez Guevara. The nutrient plasticity of moss-dominated crust in the urbanized Sonoran Desert. Plant and Soil (2015).
- Ball, B.A. and J.S. Levy. Water tracks alter biotic and abiotic soil properties and processes in a polar desert in Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research - Biogeosciences (2015).
- Ball, B.A., C.R. Tellez, and R.A. Virginia. Penguin activity influences soil biology, biogeochemistry, and soil respiration in rookeries on Ross Island, Antarctica. Polar Biology (2015).
- Nielsen, U.N. and B.A. Ball (co-leads). Impacts of altered precipitation regimes on soil communities and biogeochemistry in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Global Change Biology (2015).
- Ball, B.A. and R. Virginia. Microbial biomass and respiration responses to nitrogen fertilization in a polar desert. Polar Biology (2014).
- Ball, B.A. and R. Virginia. The ecological role of moss in a polar desert: implications for aboveground-belowground and terrestrial-aquatic linkages. Polar Biology (2014).
- Ball, B.A., Y. Carrillo, M. Molina. The influence of litter composition across the litter-soil interface on mass loss, nitrogen dynamics and the decomposer community. Soil Biology & Biochemistry (2014).
- Levy, O., B.A. Ball (co-leads), et al. Approaches to advance scientific understanding of macrosystems ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (2014).
- Ball, B.A. and R. Virginia. Meltwater seep patches increase heterogeneity of soil geochemistry and therefore habitat suitability. Geoderma (2012).
- Carrillo, Y., B. Ball, M. Strickland, M. Bradford. Legacies of plant litter on carbon and nitrogen dynamics and the role of the soil community. Pedobiologia (2012).
- Magalhães, C., M.I. Stevens, S.C. Cary, B.A. Ball, B.C. Storey, D.H. Wall, R. Türk, U. Ruprecht. At the limits of life: multidisciplinary insights reveals environmental constraints on biotic diversity in continental Antarctica. PLoS ONE (2012).
- Nielsen, U.N., D.H. Wall, B. J. Adams, R.A. Virginia, B.A. Ball, M.N. Gooseff, D.M. McKnight. The ecology of pulse events: insights from an extreme climatic event in a polar desert ecosystem. Ecosphere (2012).
- Carrillo, Y., B. Ball, M. Bradford, C. Jordan, M. Molina. Soil fauna alter the effect of litter composition on nitrogen cycling in a mineral soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry (2011).
- Ball, B.A., J. E. Barrett, M.N. Gooseff, R.A. Virginia, D.H. Wall. Implications of meltwater pulse events for soil biology and biogeochemical cycling in a polar desert. (2011).
- Ball, B.A., J.S. Kominoski, H.E. Adams, S.E. Jones, E.S. Kane, T.D. Loecke, W. Mahaney, J. Martina, C.M. Prather, T.M.P. Robinson, C.T. Solomon. Direct and terrestrial vegetation-mediated effects of environmental change on aquatic ecosystem processes. BioScience (2010).
Research Activity
- B. Ball, D. Childers, K. Larson, B. Turner, N. Grimm. LTER: CAP V: Investigating How Relationships Between Urban Ecological Infrastructure and Human-Environment Interactions Shape the Structure and Function of Urban Ecosystems. NSF DEB (03/01/2023-02/28/2029).
- Ball, Becky. Collaborative Research: Exploring the Functional Role of Antarctic Plants during Terrestrial Succession. NSF OPP (9/01/2020-8/31/2025).
- Ball, Becky, Lerman, Richard, Sandrin, Susie. Polar (DCL- 16-119): Development and Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience in Arctic Sciences. NSF OPP (8/15/2017 - 7/31/2022).
- Ball, Becky. Collaborative Research: EAGER: Pathways and Patterns of Litter Chemistry During Decomposition. NSF-BIO (6/1/2015 - 5/31/2017).
- Ball, Becky. Collaborative Research: Climactic and environmental constraints on aboveground-belowground linkages and diversity across a latitudinal gradient in Ant. NSF-PLR (10/1/2014 - 9/30/2016).
- Dietrich, Suzanne, Ball, Becky, Borror, Connie, Crook, Sharon, Kobojek, Kimberly. Collaborative Research: Databases for Many Majors: Customizable Visualizations to Improve STEM Learning. NSF-EHR (9/1/2014 - 8/31/2017).
Courses
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 410 | Soil Science |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| ENV 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| ENV 493 | Honors Thesis |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 410 | Soil Science |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| ENV 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOS 596 | Capstone: Scientific Paper |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| ENV 493 | Honors Thesis |
| LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 410 | Soil Science |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| ENV 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOS 596 | Capstone: Scientific Paper |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 410 | Soil Science |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 593 | Applied Project |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| LSC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOS 596 | Capstone: Scientific Paper |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
| LSC 493 | Honors Thesis |
| LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| BIO 422 | Ecosystem Ecology |
| ENV 394 | Special Topics |
| LSC 394 | Special Topics |
| IAP 394 | Special Topics |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| ENV 201 | Environmental Science |
| ENV 410 | Soil Science |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| LSC 598 | Special Topics |
| ENV 499 | Individualized Instruction |
Presentations
- B.A. Ball, A. Casanova, S. Eppley, H. Prather, T. Rosenstiel, Z. Yetley. Soil biological and biogeochemical changes during succession after glacial retreat. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference, Pucon, Chile, (August 2024).
- B.A. Ball, D. Childers, N. Grimm, K. Larson, B. Turner. Urban ecological infrastructure and human-environment interactions in the Sonoran Desert. Natural Areas Association Annual Conference (NAC23) (November 2023).
- B.A. Ball, P. Mohammadiarvejeh, L. Christenson, G. Hu, M. McDaniel, K. Wickings. Are there broad-scale patterns in litter chemical dynamics throughout decomposition? Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland OR (August 2023).
- B.A. Ball, A. Casanova Katny, S. Eppley, H. Prather, T. Rosenstiel. Plant-soil relationships during ecosystem succession after glacial retreat. US-SCAR U.S. Antarctic Science Meeting (June 2023).
- B.A. Ball, L. Christenson, K. Wickings. Broad-scale patterns of litter chemistry throughout decomposition: chemical classes respond differently to litter characteristics and the decay environment. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting (August 2021).
- B.A. Ball. Soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity in the urbanized Sonoran Desert. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting. Invited speaker for CrossDiv Symposium: Urban Soil Biology and Ecosystems: Promoting Soil Health and Sustainability (November 2020)
- B.A. Ball, P. Convey, K. Feeser, U. Nielsen, D. Van Horn. Habitat severity structures soil communities and aboveground-belowground linkages across a latitudinal gradient on the Antarctica Peninsula. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Open Science Conference (August 2020).
- B.A. Ball, L. Christenson, K. Wickings. Beyond Initial C:N: Litter chemistry dynamics throughout decomposition. Soil Ecology Society Biennial Meeting, Toledo, OH (May 2019).
- Becky A. Ball, K. Hughes, D. Van Horn, U. Nielsen, P. Convey. Climatic and environmental constraints on aboveground-belowground linkages and diversity across a latitudinal gradient on the Antarctica Peninsula. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research: Biology Symposium, Leuven, Belgium (July 2017).
- Becky A. Ball, L. Christenson, K. Wickings. Pathways and patterns of plant litter chemistry throughout decomposition. Soil Ecology Society Biennial Meeting, Fort Collins, CO (Jun 2017).
- Becky A. Ball, S.J Hall. The impacts of urbanization on soil biogeochemistry and biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert. International Long-Term Ecological Research Network 1st Open Science Meeting, Skukuza, South Africa (Oct 2016).
- Becky A. Ball, U.N. Nielsen, D. Van Horn, P. Convey. Plant-soil environment and microbial communities across a latitudinal gradient. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Biennial Open Science Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Aug 2016).
- Becky A. Ball. Aboveground-belowground connections in Antarctic soil ecosystems. Portland State University Lester Newman Seminar Series, Portland, OR (May 2015).
- Becky A. Ball, K. Wickings, L. Christenson. Synthesizing the vision for decomposition in the Anthropocene. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Aug 2016).
- Becky A. Ball, U.N. Nielsen, D. Van Horn, P. Convey. Aboveground-belowground linkages and soil biodiversity across a latitudinal gradient in Antarctica. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD (Aug 2015).
- Becky A. Ball, J.S. Levy. Water tracks alter biotic and abiotic soil properties and processes in Antarctic soils. Soil Ecology Society Biennial Meeting, Colorado Springs, CO (Jun 2015).
- Becky A. Ball, Yolima Carrillo, Marirosa Molina. Litter composition effects on decomposition across the litter-soil interface. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting (Aug 2013).
- Becky A. Ball and Joseph S. Levy. Hidden hydrology and soil biology: The influence of water tracks on soil biological activity in a polar desert of Antarctica. Soil Ecology Society Biennial Meeting (Jun 2013).
- Becky A. Ball. The influence of meltwater pulses on soil biology and biogeochemistry in a polar desert of Antarctica. ASU School of Life Sciences Hugh Hanson Ecology and Evolution Seminar Series (Feb 2013).
- Becky A. Ball. Extreme biogeochemistry: the influence of water-pulse events in polar desert soils of Antarctica. ASU College of Technology & Innovation - Applied Sciences Seminar (Jan 2013).
- Ball, Becky A. and Virginia, Ross A. Moss nutrient plasticity in desert ecosystems: insights from a hot desert comparison. Long Term Ecological Research Network All-Scientist Meeting (Sep 2012).
- Ball, Becky A. and Virginia, Ross A. Moss nutrient plasticity in a polar desert: insights from a hot desert comparison. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting (Aug 2012).
- Becky A. Ball, Ross A. Virginia, Byron J. Adams, J.E. Barrett, Diana H. Wall. Extreme stoichiometry: nutrient limitation and fertilization in polar desert soils. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting (Aug 2011).
- Ball, Becky A. and Virginia, Ross A. Permafrost melt seep patches increase heterogeneity of soil geochemistry and therefore habitat suitablity. Soil Ecology Society Biennial Meeting (May 2011).
- Becky A. Ball and Ross A. Virginia. The response of soil biogeochemical cycling and microbial stoichiometry to water pulse events in a polar desert. New College Homecoming Academic Expo (Oct 2010).
Honors / Awards
2024: Excellence in Teaching Lectures, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, ASU
2021-2025: Fulbright Specialist Roster
2019: Outstanding Commitment to Innovation Award, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, ASU
2018: Outstanding Undergraduate Mentor 2017-2018, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, ASU
2015: Outstanding Teaching-T/TT Faculty 2014-2015, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, ASU
2011-present: Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University
2002-present: Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Editorships
Section Editor, Pedobiologia
Professional Associations
Ecological Society of America
Soil Ecology Society
Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Service
- Steering Committee member, Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (2024-present)
- US LTER International Committee, Long-Term Ecological Research Network (2021-present)
- Executive Committee member, Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP-LTER) site (2020-present)
- Executive Committee member, Global Drylands Center, Arizona State University (2019-present)
- Science Committee / Emerging Ecological Issues member, Ecological Society of America (2019-2022)
- NEON Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Technical Working Group member (2019-present)
- Desert Soils Blog, author (2014 - Present)
- Soil Ecology Society, Secretary (2014 - 2017)
- Ecology Explorers "Meet the Scientist", Video - content & narration (2013 - Present)
- The Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN), Scientific reviewer (2012 - Present)
- Polar Soils Blog, author (2010 - Present)
- Ecological Society of America - Soil Ecology Section, Secretary (2015 - 2017)
- Sustainability Solutions Festival, Panelist (2015 - 2015)
- Terramar Elementary School, Speaker (2015 - 2015)
- Herberger Young Scholars Academy, Speaker (2014 - 2014)
- 2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Grand Awards Judge (2013 - 2013)
- Hawken School, Speaker (2013 - 2013)
- Wildfire Elementary School, Speaker (2013 - 2013)
- Ecology Explorers Teacher Workshop, Speaker (2012 - 2012)
- ASU Retired Faculty Wives and Retired Faculty Women's Club, Speaker (2011 - 2011)
- Herberger Young Scholars Academy, Speaker (2011 - 2011)