Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Forest Science from Michigan Technological University, a M.S. in Entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and a B.S. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University.

She has broad training in environmental science, aquatic ecology, agriculture, entomology and forest science. She has also gained a great deal of education experience, teaching in both formal and informal settings from toddlers to adults. She has developed curriculum, managed after-school programs, taught environmental education in Bulgaria for two years, coordinated summer leadership camps and taught at the college level at Michigan Technological University and Northwestern Michigan College.While Jessica grew up in the Detroit area, she has always had a love of northern Michigan.  She vacationed every summer in the Grand Traverse region, and was delighted to make Traverse City her permanent home in 2010.  She has worked with the Conservation District’s Invasive Species Network for the past year and is currently Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern Michigan College.