Heath Garris has joined the Au Sable Institute (ASI) as the Director of College Programs. Currently a faculty member and the primary instructor for the Environmental Sciences concentration at Covenant College, Garris has taught Au Sable’s “Field Techniques in Wetlands” summer course on the Great Lakes campus for the past four years.

“Heath is a perfect fit for this critical role,” said Jon Terry, Executive Director of ASI. “He will strengthen Au Sable’s college program and put us on an exciting trajectory through the coming years as we continue to inspire and educate people to serve, protect, and restore God’s earth.”

“My history and connections to the Au Sable community over the past years have deepened my understanding of Creation Care as a Christ-honoring vocation, and provided immeasurable support for my development as an educator. “

Garris will lead the Institute’s college academic program which supports students from 53 partner Christian colleges and universities and other institutions of higher learning. ASI offers 25 university-level courses each summer at multiple locations in the United States (northern Michigan and Pacific Rim) and in Costa Rica, and online. Twenty-two campus based courses, offered in a 3-week May Session or in two 5-week summer sessions, are intentional in providing field-intensive and skills-based experiences through small class sizes that prepare students for careers or further study in environmental vocations.

“It is a delight and an honor to get to serve as Au Sable's next Director of College Programs,” said Garris. “My history and connections to the Au Sable community over the past years have deepened my understanding of Creation Care as a Christ-honoring vocation, and provided immeasurable support for my development as an educator. “

Garris studied biology as an undergraduate at Furman University and continued his studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning his M.S. in Biology in 2008. Garris earned his doctorate from the University of Akron in 2013 and then spent two years as Postdoctoral Fellow at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada. He is a Professional Wetland Scientist and a Certified Ecologist.