Vivek Prasad, MS student

Vivek Prasad, MS Resource Management Administration
vprasad1@gmu.edu

Education

George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy
Anticipated May 2010

George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Graduate Certification in Geographical Information Science
May 2009

Antioch University New England
Keene, New Hampshire
MS in Resource Management Administration
July 2006
Antioch University New England is well known for place&ndash and value-based education. The Resource Management and Administration program balances environmental sciences with law, economics, communication, dispute resolution, and financial administration.

Xavier Institute of Social Service
Ranchi, India
Post-Graduate Diploma in Rural Development
June 1994—May 1996
Xavier Institute of Social Service is a premier institute of Rural Development in India. It is situated in a tribal dominated region that is rich in natural resources. The curriculum gives ample opportunities for hands-on experience combined with academics.

Ranchi College
Ranchi, India
Bachelor in Science with Geology (honors)
June 1990—May 1993
Ranchi College is situated in a mineralized region of India and is a leading college of education in Geology. Its geographical location provides unique opportunities for students doing field work.

Honors

Special State Merit Scholarship (Government of Bihar) India
International Fellowship Program supported by Ford Foundation and International Institute of Education, New York
Received a $7,800 grant for fall 2006 tuition at George Mason University from McKeage Family Trust

Professional Experience

Graduate Lecturer in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University, Spring 2009.

Academic Assistant in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University, Fall 2006 - Fall 2008

Part time Faculty in the Department of Geography at George Mason University, Summer 2007 and 2008

Project Assistant in a Solid Waste Management project supported by the United States Agriculture Department and Antioch New England Institute, Keene, New Hampshire, spring 2006.

Research Assistant in the Planning Department for the city of Keene, New Hampshire, summer 2005.

Program Coordinator in Maharshi Menhi Kalyan Kendra, Jharkhand India. This NGO implements rural development and natural resource management projects that are being supported by national and international organizations. My responsibilities included coordination, strategic planning, project formulation, communication, networking, report preparation, and training. January 2000—August 2004.

Freelance Consultant to grassroots level NGOs. My responsibilities included consultancy services for natural resource management projects. August 1999—December 1999.

Assistant Rural Development Officer in Hindalco Industries Limited, Mines Division, Jharkhand, India. This is one of the leading aluminum producing companies in India. My responsibilities included management of the rural development program in villages surrounding the mines, especially the land and water management program. I also worked in a core group developing an Environmental Management System to support the company in ISO 14001 accreditation. June 1996—July 1999.

Other Professional Experience

Study and report of village dynamics of a tribal village, using Participatory Rural Appraisal Method, in Bero block, Ranchi district of India, 1996.

Survey of 25 villages of the Murhu block of Ranchi district of India, by using Participatory Rural Appraisal. This survey was used for project formulation and development work, 1996.

Developed and implemented an integrated development project of a nomadic tribe Birhor, in Lohardaga district of India. This project is being replicated to other parts of the region, 1998.

Conducted a training of micro-watershed management in Lohardaga district of India, 2000—2003.

Formulated and implemented a micro-lift irrigation project through community participation in Kanke block, Ranchi district of India. This project helped farmers produce double crops and brought food security to the village, 2003—2004.

Worked as cultural and language interpreter in my operational area for foreign visitors.

Supported grassroots level NGOs in documentation of project, 1999—2004.

Computer Skills

ArcView and Microsoft Office

Articles Written

Mining Resource, Chapter VIII, appeared in Holistic Development Plan of Bhandra Block, Lohardaga, Jharkhand, as part of Technology Development Program supported by UNDP and Government of India.
Study on Land Condition and Pattern of Cultivation in View of Demand Emanating from the Process of Globalization/Crop Rotation, Lohardaga, October 2002, and submitted to CASA India.
Impact of Agro-Forestry on the Socio-Economic and Political Condition of Local People of Dungerpur, Rajasthan, India, 1996, part of PGDRD dissertation.
A study on the People's Participation Dynamics of a Waste Management Project: The Waste Action Collaboration of Sullivan County, (WACSC), NH, 2006 part of my MS special project.

Training and seminars attended

Seminar on "Role of Panchati Raj (Local governance) in Rural Development in India" Ranchi, India, 1995.
Two months organizational training in People Education and Development Organization, Dungerpur, Rajsthan, 1995
Seminar on "Role of Women in Water Management and Hand Pump Maintenance" in a water stress area of India, 1996
Training on "Watershed Management for Ecological Balance" officially recommended by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, 1998
Symposium on "Conservation Without Border: The Impact of Conservation on Human Communities" organized by CTEC, USA, 2004
An 8-day training on "Cross-Cultural Adaptation" organized by Ford Foundation, New Delhi, 2004

Volunteer Work

Participated in "National Environment Awareness Campaign" three consecutive years from 1989—1991. My role was to educate to rural population and school students in remote villages of India about environmental issues.
Organized poster exhibition in rural area to educate environmental issues to rural population and school students in remote villages of India.
Teaching in a primary school of Ranchi as a volunteer, 1994.
Teaching Geography in a volunteer education center. This center assists students of marginalized class, preparing for competitive examination, 2003
Nature photographer, photographs published in some news papers.

Leadership activities

Participated in National Cadet Core(NCC) of India for 7 years and completed A, B, and C certificates
Led a team of 22 cadets in All India Tracking Expedition in 1990.
Represented my state as best cadet in National Republic day camp in Delhi 1991.
Represented my erstwhile state Bihar in Prime Minister Rally of India in 1991.
Represented my District Ranchi 6 times in state level leadership training camps conducted by NCC.
Represent International Students Committee in Antioch University New England to communicate vision and concerns of international students to professors and school administration.

Membership

Red Cross Society of India, Ranchi chapter
Rohini Science Club, India
Trustee "Chetana Social Development Trust" Ranchi, India
Centre for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (CTEC), Keene, NH, USA