MSU Extension St. Clair County Extension Office

C. Andrew Northrop, M.A.

northro5@msu.edu

St. Clair County Extension Office

Statewide Government and Community Vitality, Sustainable Tourism Educator

Telephone: 810-989-6331

Area of Expertise:

Community Vitality, Sustainable Tourism, Leadership and Civic Engagement

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Degree:

Masters of Arts, Sustainable Development
Bachelor of Science, Psychology

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Andy holds a statewide appointment with Michigan State University Extension's Community, Food, and Environment Institute (CFEI), which focuses on developing strong sustainable community blueprints that strengthen relationships and social capital, foster innovative economic growth, and leverage and sustain our natural resources.

Originally a Michigander, Andy brings more than ten years of international sustainable development experience to his role with Michigan State University Extension. His previous global experiences coupled with his current role support the community transformations necessary to retain and attract visitors, residents, investors, and resources. His programmatic area for MSU Extension helps communities uncover their economic, ecological, and social capital via capacity building and collaborative process. By engaging in this role, communities are able and willing to leverage their true potential to become places where people want to live, work, play, learn and return.

Program areas include:

• Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities
• Leadership and Civic Engagement
  
  • Facilitation Leadership
  • Sustainability Leadership
• Community-driven Sustainable Tourism:
  
  • First Impressions Tourism (FIT) Assessments
  • Destination Life Cycle Planning
  • Asset-based Economic Development
  • Small Town and Regional Tourism Development
  • Creating Welcoming Communities

Degrees:

• MA, Sustainable Development - SIT Graduate Institute (2007)
• BS, Psychology - Michigan State University (2001)

Certifications:

• Sustainable Tourism – Global Sustainable Tourism Council (2018)
• Systems Training - National Charrette Institute, Michigan State University (2017)
• Sustainability Leadership – University of Oregon (2015)
• Fundamentals of Planning & Zoning - Michigan State University Extension (2015)
• Facilitation Leadership – Michigan State University Extension (2013)

Publications:

• Master Planning for Tourism in Michigan - Chapter 6 (2020)
• Foundations and Applications of Theory in the First Impressions Program (2018)
• First Impressions Tourism (FIT) Assessment - Community Reports (2017-Current)

Memberships: National Extension Tourism (Vice-Chair), Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, and Community and Natural Resource Development Association

Connect with Andy via LinkedIn