UNH Cooperative Extension is pleased to welcome Dr. John Christ to the Community and Economic Development Team. John recently started his role as a field specialist in Merrimack County, where he will provide community and economic development planning assistance and project implementation support that builds community and regional leaders’ capacity to grow and sustain the economy and strengthen communities. His areas of focus will include Main Street vibrancy, housing, community planning, and regional collaboration on plans and projects.
John most recently served as a faculty member at Plymouth State University, where he taught courses in the social sciences. His research and teaching sat at the intersection of education and community engagement. With a background in the arts and humanities, John was able to weave these creative interests together with his passions for urban studies, land use planning, and the social sciences.
This past year, John also served as project lead for a National Park Service project aimed at producing an Ethnographic Assessment of Lowell, Massachusetts.
In his community, John serves as chair of the Plymouth Planning Board, on the executive board of the Lakes Region Planning Commission, on the Board of Directors for the Plymouth Historical Society, and has collaborated in various capacities with other organizations.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing Merrimack County and the state, John said, “The cost of housing is a pressing concern. Merrimack County is fortunate to have communities working to address housing opportunities and challenges, but progress can feel slow. As our workforce continues to grow, providing affordable housing will be essential to realizing our potential for economic development.” Charlie French, Program Leader for Community and Economic Development noted, “That is why we are excited to have John join our Community and Economic Development Team. He is deeply familiar with the challenges and the opportunities facing communities based on his previous work. I am confident that he will quickly become an integral part of the community engagement efforts in Merrimack County."
John holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture and Planning and a BA in Art History from CUNY Queens College.
We are excited to welcome John to UNH Extension and hope that you will take a moment to say hello!
