Professor Sharon Jean-Philippe became board president of the International Society of Arboriculture at the organization’s annual conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Oct. 21. She will serve as president through August 2026. ISA promotes the professional practice of arboriculture and fosters worldwide awareness of tree benefits.

“Stewardship is not ownership. It is a partnership,” Jean-Philippe said in her speech at the conference. “I hope my presidency will be an opportunity to build bridges with communities that we would never typically interact with and to open our doors a little wider to invite youth, urban residents, educators and faith communities into the tree movement.” She urged conference attendees to “be like a tree” by staying grounded, connecting with their roots, turning over a new leaf, bending before they break, enjoying their unique natural beauty and continuing to grow.

Jean-Philippe received the Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education from ISA in 2024. The award recognizes how education enhances the quality and professionalism of the arboriculture industry through excellence in arboriculture education.

Jean-Philippe is an urban forestry professor and director of graduate studies in the UTIA School of Natural Resources (SNR). She is also an adjunct research professor in the Department of Range and Forest Sciences at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

She helped bring the National Champion Tree Program to SNR in 2023 and serves as the faculty advisor for the Tennessee Champion Tree Program.