Dr. Kelly Tzoumis
Dr. Kelly Tzoumis is a full professor at DePaul University in Chicago, IL in the field of environmental policy in the School of Public Service. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in the field and has two books: Toxic Chemicals in America: Policies, Trends, and Controversies in Public and Environmental Health, (January 2021) ABC-CLIO Press, and Environmental Policy Making in Congress from 1789-1999: Issue Definitions of Wetlands, the Great Lakes, and Wildlife Policies, (2001) with Taylor and Francis Press. She has received the Distinguished Chair in Environmental Studies by Fulbright in 2003, Teacher of the Year in 2002, Advisor of the Year in 2015, and Teaching Innovation Award in 2017. She has been a co-editor of a journal, chair of a department, serves as a peer reviewer of several research journals, and provides service to many committees for DePaul University in the areas of Title IX, grade challenges and academic integrity.
Dr. Tzoumis has worked with the Higher Learning Commission accrediting the North Central (19 states) of higher educational institutions since 2003, and now serves as a team leader, federal compliance reviewer, and is a member of the Institutional Action Council. Kelly is currently working in educational virtual exchanges with 8 global partners on 4 continents integrating innovative communication to improve the quality of instruction, level of student engagement and global learning for higher education. Dr. Tzoumis is an active researcher, teacher, and mentor to students in higher education. She has taught classes in unique learning environments including on research vessels and in Yellowstone National Park for many years.
Dr. Tzoumis served as a Congressional Fellow for former US Senator Paul Simon on Capitol Hill under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. She has worked at several federal national laboratories and in Washington, DC for the US Department of Energy as an external liaison, program manager, and project engineer and scientist. She is an experienced reviewer of environmental impact statements to determine the adequacy of the assessments during the federal required document review process. Kelly is highly sought after as an invited speaker for her views and research work for topics including energy, waste management, and environmental policy, and for deployment of advanced technology to enhance operations during the restoration of brownfield sites.
Dr. Tzoumis holds a PhD from Texas A&M University in Public Administration and Public Policy (1992), a MPA in Environmental Regulatory Policy (1987), and a BS in Distributed Studies of Chemistry, Microbiology and Zoology (1985).