Jeni Cross

Jeni Cross, PhD, is the Director of Research for the Institute for the Built Environment, Co-Director of the Center for Energy and Behavior, and Associate Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University. Dr. Cross is a community sociologist who works with community agencies to develop effective programs and create transformational change. Her areas of expertise include behavior change, community development, inter-agency collaboration, place attachment and community connection, professional social networks, and urban sustainability. Current research projects include applied projects working with local governments and non-profits to develop new programs and tools to improve health and vitality, design for urban regeneration, and environmental conservation.

She teaches courses on social research methods, community development and applied social change. Dr. Cross has developed two upper division courses that engage students in Community Based Research, where the students work with community partners to conduct sociological research that solves community problems, enhances organizational capacity, or develops programs for social change.