Christina Henricksen is from Edison, NJ, but has lived in Harrisonburg for the past 13 years. She graduated from James Madison University (JMU) in Spring 2024 with a Master of Science degree in Biology. While at JMU, she worked with Dr. Bruce Wiggins studying the effects of plastic tree shelters on trees used for stream restoration in Virginia. She is currently serving as the Presidential Engagement Fellow for the School of Professional and Continuing Education. As a graduate student at JMU, Christina taught a Foundations of Biology lab, assisted in mentoring undergraduate students in Wiggins’s research lab, and participated in two study abroad trips: one in Los Santos, Panama, studying tropical silvopastoral systems and their roles in carbon sequestration, and another in San Salvador, Bahamas, focusing on the ecology and geology of the Bahama Island chain.

Christina is a Naval veteran, a wife, and a mother of two. In her spare time, she serves as an election officer for Rockingham County, VA, enjoys cooking and reading, and has recently begun assisting in coaching youth jiu-jitsu. She and her family enjoy participating in the annual Blacks Run cleanup, bike riding, hiking in Shenandoah National Park, and playing video games.

Position Overview

James Madison University’s School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) responds to individual, business, and community needs through transformative educational programs. This Engagement Fellowship position was created to support PCE’s efforts to help local businesses and nonprofits throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Duties for this position can change over the course of the fellowship at the discretion of the supervisor and engagement fellow. PCE, in close collaboration with area economic and community development partners, will create and implement programming and opportunities focused on: business and organizational development, workforce training, entrepreneurial development, and nonprofit capacity building.