Sustainability & Environmental Studies - Faculty

Mr. Mahanna's sustainability experience has been largely focused on energy and water management. His research and teaching interests spread out into sustainable agriculture, higher education sustainability, green building, climate change, renewable energy systems, and environmental education. Mr. Mahanna is the faculty mentor for the Sustainability and Environmental Club and the Sustainability Honors Club on campus.

Mr. Mahanna is a certified educator through the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) of Project WET (water education), Project WILD (wildlife education), Project Learning Tree (environmental education), and Project Underground (karst education).

Mr. Mahnna is an alumnus of Lindsey Wilson and the Sustainability & Environmental Studies Program. He is a resident of Columbia, where he enjoys spending his free time outdoors. Whether it is hiking, kayaking, or photography, he enjoys it all.

Dr. Thorn specializes in both sustainability studies and recreation management. Her research and teaching interests span both disciplines and include: sustainable parks and protected areas, sustainability education, natural resource management, sustainability in higher education, recreation resource management, carrying capacity, children in nature, human dimensions of natural resources, resiliency theory, commercial recreation, experiential and transformative education and learning, servant leadership, and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Thorn is the faculty mentor for both the Sustainability Club and the Adventure Recreation Club here on the LWU campus.

Dr. Thorn is a certified Professional Environmental Educator with the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). She is also a certified through the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) as a facilitator of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Project WILD (wildlife education), Project Learning Tree (environmental education), and Project Underground (karst education). Dr. Thorn is also a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) as well as the Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI). Additionally, Dr. Thorn is a certified Leave-No-Trace (LNT) master educator.

Dr. Thorn is highly involved in K-12 activities in the local community. She is the founder and director of the LWU Health and Wellness Center Outdoor Kids Camp (Camp Poplar) and she is an officer and active board member for the Adair County Youth Football League. Experiential education in the environment and outdoors is a passion of hers, and she strives to stay committed to providing these experiences for LWU students and the youth of our local community.