KRISTINA VAN STONE HOPKINS
Student-focused mentor, outreach coordinator, and educational advocate with 35+ years of experience supporting youth, students, families, and diverse communities through mentoring, educational programming, workforce development, and community engagement. Proven success developing partnerships, coordinating educational activities, delivering presentations, and guiding students toward educational and career opportunities. Passionate about empowering students to overcome barriers, build confidence, and pursue postsecondary education and career goals.
Work History
Regional Program Manager & Mentor
7 Years- Mentored students, interns, and early-career professionals across 12 national forests and five western states, enhancing their professional development and career readiness.
- Provided guidance, information, and career exploration opportunities to students pursuing educational and professional goals.
- Guided students in career exploration, providing tailored information and resources to support their educational and professional goals.
- Assisted student interns in identifying educational pathways and career opportunities within environmental and natural resource fields.
- Planned and facilitated regional workshops, presentations, trainings, and outreach events serving diverse audiences and community partners.
- Developed partnerships with colleges, universities, tribal communities, and nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders.
- Drafted Grants and managed grant-funded initiatives totaling more than $8.5 million, maintaining, reporting, and accomplishment tracking.
- Fostered inclusive learning environments for diverse learners, promoting engagement and facilitating personal and professional growth.
Plumas Forest Fisheries & Fire Restoration Pgm Mgr
- Recruited, hired, supervised, trained, and mentored dozens of students in internship, cooperative education, STEP, and SCEP programs, fostering career readiness and skill development.
- Organized and led annual youth fishing and outdoor education program for 17 years in Plumas County, engaging hundreds of youth and families in outdoor activities and environmental stewardship.
- Delivered classroom presentations, field trips, workshops, and educational programs for local elementary, middle school, high school, and college students.
- Recruited, hired, supervised, trained, and mentored dozens of students through internship, cooperative education, STEP, and SCEP programs.
- Drafted grants and managed fire restoration funds exceeding $20 million, ensuring compliance through detailed reporting and tracking of program accomplishments.
- Served as a positive mentor, helping students explore educational pathways, career opportunities, leadership development, and workforce skills.
- Member of Burn Area Emergency Rehab Team (30 yrs)
Education
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Management, Fisheries
Associate of Science - Forestry, Wildlife Mgt
Additional graduate coursework - Continuing Education at Universities across US : Conservation Biology; Leadership and Communication; Program Management; Natural Resource Policy; Technical Writing
Skills
Timeline
Regional Program Manager & Mentor
Plumas Forest Fisheries & Fire Restoration Pgm Mgr
Humboldt State University
Feather River College
STUDENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Feather River College Forestry & Watershed Resource Advisory Committee, 1993, 2015, Mentor and advocate for students, interns, and young professionals, Presenter for K–12 environmental education programs, Organizer of community educational events and youth engagement activities, Committed to supporting first-generation, rural, and underserved students
Community Involvement
Community Involvement: Coach for Johnsville Junior Ski Team (6 yrs), Member of the Quincy High School Boosters committee (4 yrs), Cast member of the Star Follies in Quincy (~13 yrs). Plan environmental education events (fishing derbies, Salmon Festivals, Earth Day, T&E species fairs). Member of local Coordinated Resource Management Team, Member of FRC Natural Resource curriculum review team (over 20 years). Currently getting involved with Fire Safe Council & Sierra Valley Nature Preserve.
Awards & Performance:
Awards & Accolades: Regional Foresters Certificate of Appreciation 2025, Regional Cash awards 2021 & 2022, Regional Foresters Award for Ecosystem Restoration (secured $4.5M in stimulus funding for NEPA-ready AOP projects); Performance Awards 11/2016, Spot Awards 05/2017, 09/2017. Forest Supervisor of the Year in 2016, Forest Diversity Award for hiring efforts and results in 2013. Cert. of Merit recognizing contributions to FRRD for council and expertise on aquatic species and habitat in 2009. Cash Award – FY17 & FY10.
Superior Performance Evaluations: Acting Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit Staff Officer 2023, R4 Regional Fisheries Program Manager 2020, MTHRD Restoration Biologist, 2015 & 2016, PNF Forest Fisheries Biologist, 2010 & 2011; Acting National Fisheries Program Leader, Washington Office, 2010; Acting Forest Biologist, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, 2007