Ron McCorkle

Ron McCorkle is an advocate for collaborative socialstructures. He believes that an esoteric connection between ourselves and the universe is essential in order to understand the most beneficial ways of living. "When we know ourselves, we will know everything else". Ron is a neighborhood advocate in the City of Roanoke, VA. He has a mission to empower decision making at the neighborhood lever, rather than at the city level. He has started The Urbiculture Foundation, which was created to inspire and empower people to become a part of decision making at the local level. He wants to spark the interest of people by showing a glimpse of the light outside of the box. 

Ron is a social entrepreneur. He has started several regenerative enterprises. In 2007, he started Sharebike.org, a community bicycle center, providing free bicycle use to everyone in his community. He has started Gypsy Mercantile, a retail enterprise, providing Appalachian home and forest products. Wild foraging, soil restoration and sharing with organizations are ways he inspires. Educating and sharing new perspectives are ways he empowers. 

Ron is currently working on his MSc at Gaia University. He is studying Integrated Ecosocial Design, with a pathway in urbiculture. "trying to be an invisible glue, connecting to observe a piece of a system that is no longer working and give it loving attention."

By sharing non violent ways of communication, Ron has seen groups go from resentment to collaboration. "Once that happens, anything is possible."

"Gaia University has allowed me to continue on a vision that I obtained several years ago. I was actually looking for a school where I could deepen my spirituality, when I can across Gaia University. While it's not defined as a spiritual school, the ways of Gaia U allow people to learn and work on all levels, including spiritual. I found Gaia U to be useful integrating my beliefs into a permaculture environment."

"Gaia University is an incredible way to learn! It's so amazing when I see the results of an Action Learning Process. It's like I am looking at a project from above at times, while also having an intimate connection with every detail. Before starting Gaia U, I was often able to see the big picture, without working on the details. I would just let it sort itself out. Now, I feel like I can do both. I can give the details my full attention, without geting sucked into them. In my opinion, that has made me successful and has met my needs for understanding and sharing. Go Gaia U!"