Biography
Dr. Spencer S. Stober is a Professor of Biology at Alvernia University, Reading, PA, where he taught Biology for 30 years. Since earning his doctorate at Temple University, with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, he teaches graduate courses in leadership and supervises dissertations. In 2005 he received Alvernia’s Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, and he was awarded the Neag Professorship in 2011. He has also served in several key administrative positions at Alvernia University, including Department Chairperson, Ph.D. Program Director, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Dr. Stober is an active participant in Common Ground’s Research Networks, serving as a co-chair for “Organization Studies” and as an advisory board member for the international “On Sustainability Research Network.” His work on environmental, cultural, and socio-economic sustainability has enabled him to travel, often with students, to universities and various venues in more than 40 countries. Dr. Stober recently served as a co-editor with Dr. David Humphreys for a volume entitled Transitions to Sustainability: Theoretical Debates for a Changing Planet, and he co-authored Nature-centered Leadership: An Aspirational Narrative, with two Ph.D. students (Tracey L. Brown and Sean J. Cullen); both volumes were published by Common Ground in 2014 and 2013 respectively. Dr. Stober also co-authored a book with Dr. Donna Yarri, Associate Professor of Theology at Alvernia University, entitled God, Science, and Designer Genes: An Exploration of Emerging Issues in Genetic Technologies, published by Praeger in 2009.
Doctorate in Educational Administration, Temple University, August 1997, with an emphasis in educational leadership and policy studies Dissertation: Stober, S. S. (1997). A content analysis of college and university mission statements (Order No. 9813554). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Humanities and Social Sciences Collection. (304373163). Committee Chair, Dr. Richard M. Englert, Chancellor, Temple University
M.S. in Biology, Millersville University, August 1975; Thesis: Bio-systematic Study of Physalis virginiana var. subglabrata and Physalis heterophylla, M.U. Library 1975-S863; Chair, Dr. James C. Parks
B.S. Ed. in Biology and General Science, Millersville University, January 1972
Organizational Analysis: Culture, Theory and Change Strategies (PHD 709); Theories in Organizational Structure and Strategic Leadership (PHD 724); Advanced Supervision (PHD 731); Advanced Research Colloquium (PHD 701); Supervision of Dissertations (PHD 910 to 980); Research Seminar (MED 680); Educators as Researchers (MED 520); Quantitative Methods (MED 518); and Science Seminar (SCI 402)
Leadership for sustainable communities; environmental sustainability; ethics and emerging technologies
Faculty Excellent Grant recipient for academic research, Alvernia University, summer 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
International Award for Excellence: “Nature-Centered Leadership: Challenging the “Rules of the Game” (Stober, 2019); selected from the ten highest-ranked articles emerging from the peer-review process for the On Sustainability Journal Collection (https://onsustainability.com/journals/awards)
Neag Professorship, Graduate Leadership Studies, Alvernia University, for an outstanding record of service as a teacher-scholar, January 2012-July 2014
Grant to work as an interdisciplinary team (with Dr. Donna Yarri) to promote scholarship and development of educational materials concerning the “Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of the Human Genome Project” (ELSI/NIH), sponsored by Dartmouth College, June 2004 through August 2006. Drs. Yarri and Stober published several journal articles, a book, and book chapters, all of which informed their course development and teaching.
Recipient, Alvernia College Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2004-2005
Alvernia College Sister Donatilla Award, for long and distinguished service of grace, enthusiasm, wisdom, and prayerfulness, 1998
(Accepted and forthcoming, 2023) “God and Genetics,” co-authored with Dr. Donna Yarri, encyclopedia article, Routledge Encyclopedia of Christian Ethics
“Nature-Centered Leadership: Challenging the Rules of the Game,” International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability: Annual Review Vol. 15(1), 1-13, 2019. Received the VOL #15 “International Award for Excellence” (https://onsustainability.com/journals/awards)
“To Intervene or Not to Intervene? The Issue of the Liminal Feral Cat,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri, published in the Open Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 9, 204-222, May 2019. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpp.2019.92014
Edited Volume: Transitions to Sustainability: Theoretical Debates for a Changing Planet, co-editor with David Humphreys (Open University, U.K.), Common Ground Publishing L.L.C., 2014. This book was recognized at a reception and book launch in the Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on January 21, 2015
Book: Nature-centered Leadership: An Aspirational Narrative, Common Ground Publishing LLC, 2013; a co-authored book with Tracey L. Brown and Sean J. Cullen, recognized at a book launch and reception at the January 2014 Conference, University of Split, Croatia. This book was one of ten finalists for an award at the International Leadership Association, ILA conference, October 2014
“Nature-Centered Leadership: Nature as a Stakeholder in Strategic Planning,” International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, Vol. 9(1), 2013; this paper was presented at International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, Hiroshima, Japan, January 2013
“Darwin on the Treatment of Animals: His Thoughts Then and His Influence Now,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri in the Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. 2(2), 2013 (“best paper” award)
“Universities and Community Engagement for a Sustainable Community,” co-authored article with Dr. Alicia Sprow in The International Journal of Sustainability Education, Vol. 8(1), 2013
“Interdisciplinary Teaching: Confessions of a Biologian,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri in The International Journal of Science and Society, Vol. 3(1), 2012
“Environmental Memes: Form, Function, and Reasons for Optimism” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 7, 2011, published by Common Ground; conference plenary presentation at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, January 7, 2011
“What Makes Us So Doggone Special? Darwin’s Challenge to Human Superiority,” co-authored essay with Dr. Donna Yarri in 150 Years of Evolution: Darwin’s Impact on the Humanities and the Social Sciences, edited by Mark Richard Wheeler, San Diego State University Press, 2011
“Biology, Theology, and Academic Freedom: The Challenges of Interdisciplinary Teaching at a Catholic University,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri in the AAUP Journal of Academic Freedom, Vol. 2, 2011, https://www.aaup.org/JAF2/biology-theology-and-academic-freedom-challen…
“Ecuador: Mother Nature’s Utopia” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 6 (2), 2010, pp. 229-240, published by Common Ground; also presented at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador, January 5, 2010
Book: God, Science, and Designer Genes: An Exploration of Emerging Genetic Technologies, co-authored book with Dr. Donna Yarri, Praeger/ABC-CLIO Press, 2009
“Mother Nature and Her Discontents: Gaia as a Metaphor for Environmental Sustainability” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 5 (1), 2009, pp. 37-48, published by Common Ground
"To Intervene or Not to Intervene? The Issue of the Liminal Feral Cat," co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri, published in the Open Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 9, 204-222, May 2019
Transitions to Sustainability: Theoretical Debates for a Changing Planet, Co-edited volume with David Humphreys (Open University, UK), Common Ground Publishing LLC, 2014. This book was recognized at a reception and book launch in the Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on January 21, 2015
Nature-centered Leadership: An Aspirational Narrative (co-authored book with Tracey L. Brown and Sean J. Cullen), Common Ground Publishing LLC, 2013
“Nature-Centered Leadership: Nature as a Stakeholder in Strategic Planning” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 9, 2013; this paper was presented at International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Hiroshima, Japan, January 2013
“Darwin on the Treatment of Animals: His Thoughts Then and His Influence Now,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri in the Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol. 2(2), 2013 (“best paper” award)
“Universities and Community Engagement for a Sustainable Community,” co-authored article with Dr. Alicia Sprow in The International Journal of Sustainability Education, Vol. 1, 2012
“Interdisciplinary Teaching: Confessions of a Biologian,” co-authored article with Dr. Donna Yarri in The International Journal of Science and Society, Vol. 3(1), 2012
“Environmental Memes: Form, Function, and Reasons for Optimism” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 7, 2011, published by Common Ground (refereed journal); conference plenary presentation at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, January 7, 2011 (Finalist for the Internationa1 Award for Excellence sponsored by Common Ground Publisher)
“What Makes Us So Doggone Special? Darwin’s Challenge to Human Superiority,” co-authored essay in 150 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Impact on the Humanities and the Social Sciences, San Diego State University Press, 2011
"Biology, Theology, and Academic Freedom: The Challenges of Interdisciplinary Teaching at a Catholic University,” co-authored article in the AAUP Journal of Academic Freedom, Vol. 2, 2011, http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/jaf/
“Ecuador: Mother Nature’s Utopia” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 6 (2), 2010, pp. 229-240, published by Common Ground (refereed journal); also presented at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador, January 5, 2010 http://ijs.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.41/prod.656
God, Science, and Designer Genes: An Exploration of Emerging Genetic Technologies (co-authored book with Donna Yarri), Praeger/ABC-CLIO Press, 2009
“Mother Nature and Her Discontents: Gaia as a Metaphor for Environmental Sustainability” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 5 (1), 2009, pp. 37–48, published by Common Ground (refereed journal)
“Academic Service Abroad: Confronting our Limitations,” in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 4(1), 2008, pp. 107–115, published by Common Ground (refereed journal)
“God, Science, and Designer Genes: An Interdisciplinary Pedagogy,” co-authored essay with Donna Yarri for The Human Genome Project in College Curriculum: Ethical Issues and Practical Strategies, edited by Aine Donovan and Ronald Green, University Press of New England, 2008, pp. 100–121
“Sustaining Gaia through Learning Communities: A Case Study in Higher Education,” co-authored article with Caroline Fitzpatrick in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 3(5), 2007, pp. 41–49, published by Common Ground (refereed journal)
“Close Encounters of the Natural Kind: Eco-Composition, Citizen Science and Academe,” co-authored article with Caroline Fitzpatrick, in the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, Vol. 2(1), 2006, pp. 9–16, published by Common Ground (refereed journal)
“Traditional Curriculum Versus Hidden Curriculum,” co-authored essay with Leon D. Poeske, James C. Dyson, and Lynn A. Cheddar, published in Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education: Applying Theoretical Perspectives to Complex Dilemmas, by Joan Poliner Shapiro and Jacqueline A. Stefkovich, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2001, pp.41–54.
“Survival Strategies for Liberal Arts Colleges,” in Resources in Education, 1996, in ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education, No. ED386101
“Chromosonal Studies of Physalis virginiana var. subglabrata and Physalis heterophylla, co-authored article with James C. Parks, Bartonia, Vol. 51, 1985 (refereed)
“Frankenstein as a Cautionary Tale for Modern Genetic Technologies,” co-presented with Dr. Donna Yarri at the National Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) conference, February 2022
“Nature-Centered Leadership: Humanity’s ‘Random Walk’ on a Path to a Sustainable Future,” Virtual - 18th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, & Social Sustainability, January 26-28, 2022, at The University of Granada (Faculty of Education), Spain, https://onsustainability.com/2022-conference
Plenary Speaker (Virtual): “The Meme-Gene Analogy and the Study of Organizations,” 22nd International Conference on Knowledge, Culture, and Change in Organizations, January 14. 2022. Organization Studies Research Network at https://organization-studies.com/
Invited Panelist (Virtual): “Curricular and Co-curricular Opportunities to Advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,” Millersville University Global Goals Conference, June 18, 2021
Academic Conference Presentation (Virtual): “Nature-Centered Leadership: The Power of Six-Word Drawings to Promote a Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future,” 17th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, & Social Sustainability, February 23-26, 2020, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
Academic Conference Presentation (Virtual), “Nature-Centered Leadership: Talking Humanity off the Ledge,” 22nd Annual Conference of the International Leadership Association (ILA), San Francisco, CA, U.S.A., November 9, 2020
Invited Speaker: World Affairs Council of Greater Reading: Climate Change, May 20, 2020, online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMwob08teE
Academic Conference Presentation, “Green Criminology: The Problem of Legal (vs. illegal) Harms to the Environment” at the 16th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, CL, January 29-31, 2020
Academic Conference Presentation, “Nature-Centered Leadership: The Courage to Advocate for Nature” at the 21st Annual Conference of the International Leadership Association (ILA), Shaw Center, Ottawa, Canada, October 24-27, 2019
Visiting Scholar Lectures, “Leadership: A Global Perspective.” Presentations on June 10 and 13, 2019, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, China
Invited Speaker, “Climate Change: Our Failed Relationship With Nature,” Spirit on Tap, DoubleTree, Reading, PA, April 23, 2019
Invited “table topic” talk regarding sustainability at the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) conference, Baltimore, MD, March 1, 2019
Academic Conference Presentation, “Nature-Centered Leadership: Challenging the Rules of the Game.” The 15th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, at the University of British Colombia, Robinson Square, Vancouver, Canada, January 17-19, 2019
Academic Conference Presentation, co-presented with Brian A. Petersen and Patricia A. Brenner, “Leadership Programs and Their Espoused Outcomes: A Content Analysis,” 20th Annual Conference of the International Leadership Association (ILA), West Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A., October 24-27, 2018
Academic Conference Presentation, “The U.N. 2030 Agenda. To Sustain or Not to Sustain: Is That Humanity’s Predicament?” at the 13th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability at the Social Sustainability Biomass and Water Management Research Center; Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 19-21, 2017
Academic Conference Presentation, “Ecological Visionaries Evaluated as Nature-Centered Leaders: Rachael Carson, Chico Mendes, and James Lovelock” at the 10th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, at the University of Split in Croatia, January 22-24, 2014
Dissertation Chair: Cooper R. V. (2022). How Mentorships Influences American Male Entrepreneurs: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (ProQuest 29068040)
Dissertation Chair: Schumacher, J. M. (2022). Effects of COVID-19 on Higher Education Messaging: A Qualitative Study of Leadership and Crisis Communication (ProQuest 29069653)
Committee member: Wooten, Z. C. (2022). The Aim of Leadership Education: Spirituality and the Writings of Parker J. Palmer (ProQuest 2661109986)
Committee member: Blackwell, D. L. (2022). The Role of the Black Church as a Transformational Leader in Economic Stability and Wealth Creation for African American People through Entrepreneurship (ProQuest 2658595786)
Dissertation Chair: Tolan, C. M. (2021). Leadership Readiness & Curriculum Analysis of Healthcare Programs (ProQuest 28768424)
Dissertation Chair: Griech, S. F. (2020). The role of ethical leadership in the clinical decision making of physical therapists in caring for patients of differing socioeconomic status and race with low back pain in the United States (ProQuest 2392517767)
Dissertation Chair: Elliker, J. (2020). Finding Greenleaf in a hotel dedicated to a city (ProQuest 2388038181)
Dissertation Chair: Dunst, J. K. (2020). Articulation of community engagement in higher education: A comparative study of Carnegie classified schools (Order No. 27829518). (ProQuest 2390605666)
Committee member: Midouhas, H. M. (2020). Attachment Style Differences Among Pennsylvania Mentors and Mentees and Their Leadership Career Aspirations (ProQuest 2385216005)
Committee member: Borreli, A. R. (2020). The impact of race on police leadership (ProQuest 2393000636)
Committee member: Brenner, P. A. (2020). Authentic leadership: A mixed method inquiry of practicum in school counseling student and supervisor experiences (ProQuest 2393196769)
Dissertation Chair: Stevens, C. R. (2019). Leadership at three mile island: A qualitative study of a technological disaster (ProQuest 2206406813)
Dissertation Chair: Fox, T. P. (2019). Investigating impact of transformational leadership on work engagement for information technology associates (ProQuest 2182975644)
Committee member: Siburt, J. E. (2019). Rendering visible an understanding of power in leadership in Tolkien’s creation mythology: Ainulindalë and akallabêth (ProQuest 2198062355)
Committee member: Harf, J. R. (2019). Executive viewpoints of occupational safety excellence: An exploration of emergent leadership theory and practice (ProQuest 2218436676)
Committee member: Saylor, M. L. (2019). The impact of “The Leader in Me” school leadership model on perceived shared leadership (ProQuest 2198755483)
Chair: Petersen, B. (2018). A pilot study for the A.I.M. scale of psychological well-being and its relationship to exemplary leadership behavior (ProQuest 2185759731)
Dissertation Chair: Martin, B. S. (2018). A typology of police departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (ProQuest 2085291369)
Dissertation Chair: Kochanowski, A. P. (2017). The role of technology in the leadership context (ProQuest 1888013075)
Dissertation Chair: Legutko, B. (2016). An exploration of the emergent leadership styles of fortune 500 executives as communicated in annual report letters to their shareholders (ProQuest 1854134498)
Dissertation Chair: Ahi, S. (2015). Leading quality improvement in higher education (ProQuest 1752222663)
Dissertation Chair: Brown, T. L. (2015). The impact of institutional leadership on faculty job satisfaction (ProQuest 1734861837)
Dissertation Chair: McGowan, M. A. (2015). The health care leader’s written expression of mission and vision: A content analysis (ProQuest 1732406438)
Dissertation Chair: Liskey, B. K. (2014). A systems theory approach to career development: Exploring factors that affect science as a career choice (ProQuest 1654434887)
Academic Experiences
Professor, Biology and Educational Leadership, December 2009-present
Dual Appointment to include Leadership Studies, February 2018
Director, Center for Ethics and Leadership, June 2010-July 2011
Director, Ph.D. Program, August 2007-July 2010
Coordinator, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program (MALS), August 2005-August 2006
Associate Professor, Biology and Educational Leadership, January 2002-December 2009
Dean, Graduate and Outreach Division (Continuing Studies), March 2000-December 2001
Dean, Arts and Sciences Division, July 1999-March 2000
Chair, Division of Science and Mathematics, August 1998-July 1999
Chair, Department of Biology, April 1994-August 1998
Assistant Professor, Biology, June 1986-August 1998 (tenure earned August 1992)
Instructor, Biology, Alvernia University, August 1985-June 1986
Prior Teaching Experiences
Adjunct Instructor (full-time), Biology, Millersville University, fall 1984
Science Teacher, Governor Mifflin Schools, January 1972-June 1984 (Tenured-May 1974; earned permanent
biology and science teaching certificate-February 1975)
Business Experience
Partner, Adamstown Starfish, L.L.C., 2013-2018, community development
Partner, Adamstown Transfer LP, real estate restoration and development, including historical properties, 2000-2019
Board member, Bare Foot Organics, L.L.C., 2009-2018
President, Stober, Ltd., 1985-2005, a real estate development company and developer of the Meadows at
Adamstown, a “green” development with fifty-percent natural habitat
Director, Stoudtburg Property Owners Association, September 2000-2002
Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE)
American Association of University Professors (AAUP), life member
Berks Nature
Berks World Affairs Council
Beta Kappa Chi, National Scientific Honor Society
Common Ground Research Network (https://cgnetworks.org/)
International Leadership Association (ILA)
CITI IRB Certifications (Current) for IRB Members, Humanities Responsible Conduct of Research, and Conflicts of Interest. Certified in various capacities since 2007 for research with human participants.
PA (PDE) biology and science teaching certificate (inactive)