Congratulations to Lorraine Dowler, Vice President-elect, and Joshua Inwood, National Councilor-elect, on their election to leadership roles in the American Association of Geographers!
Thanks to Greg Jenkins for speaking at Friday’s Geography Coffee Hour and to everyone who joined us!
He discussed how Sahara dust connects to weather, climate and air quality, with examples from his work focused on West Africa.
A rectangular graphic featuring student-focused information about the AAG Annual Meeting. The left side contains bold blue headline text about the student guide, a short supportive sentence, and the association’s logo. The right side includes three round photos: one shows attendees discussing research, one shows a smiling group holding materials, and one shows a giant Earth model with people gathered around it.
Attending an annual conference can be confusing and intimidating, regardless of whether you’re a first-time undergraduate attendee or a seasoned postgraduate student. Here are some tips and tricks to make the experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. buff.ly/OUvqIUR
New major launching: Sustainability, Society and Environmental Geography (B.A.) 🌍
Study sustainability through environment, economy and equity, with a focus on people and place 🌱
Start at any Penn State campus, finish at University Park (2+2) 🎓
Learn more 🔗 www.psu.edu/news/earth-a...
#AcademicSky #GeoSky - encourage your 3rd & 4th year undergrads who wish to learn more about grad school and the "hidden curriculum" to apply to our GENIUS summer workshop! Applications due 2/15. @pennstategeography.bsky.social
www.geog.psu.edu/geniusworkshop
Join us Friday, Jan. 30 for Coffee Hour with Dr. Heidi Biggs of Georgia Tech. Biggs will explore how textiles, wearables, and sound can turn climate data into local, embodied experiences that foster resilient ecological thinking.
📍112 Walker | 🕞 3:30 p.m.
Science on tap is back at 7PM Thursday, 01/29/26 at Axemann Brewery, and we're wondering: how do students really think about sustainability?
Geography researchers Dr. Mark Ortiz and PhD candidate Harman Singh are getting interactive with their research at Science on Tap this month.
We’re fired up for the semester ahead! 🌋 Thanks to Dr. Christelle Wauthier for kicking off Coffee Hour with a talk on volcanoes, remote sensing, and hazard mitigation.
Hey Folks, please help spread the word. We are hosting GENIUS again and we want your undergrads! This is a great opportunity for all involved www.geog.psu.edu/geniusworkshop
🎓 Please join us in congratulating our December 2025 residential graduate degree recipients! 🎉
We are proud of you and wishing you the best in what is next.
Don't miss our first Coffee Hour of the semester this Friday at noon in 401 Steidle.
Dr. Christelle Wauthier will share how satellite data can help us better understand and prepare for volcanic hazards.
www.psu.edu/news/earth-a...
Alt text: A promotional graphic for the AAG 2026 Preliminary Program featuring large bold text, a red banner announcing that edits are due January 29, the American Association of Geographers logo, and three circular photos showing conference activities including attendees, a large globe display, and a speaker at a podium.
The #AAG2026 preliminary program is now ready! If you need to make any last-minute edits for your presentation or panel, be sure to finalize your details by January 29!
📆 The finalized program will be released on February 19. View all deadlines: buff.ly/Bly9b58
🎓 We would also like to congratulate December 2025 graduate, Joshua Pangelinan who earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography. Best wishes in your next chapter!
Field visits and workshops promoted by the American Association of Geographers, shown with three circular photos of people gathered outdoors and indoors during group activities. The main headline appears in large dark text with a red banner that says “Customize your annual meeting experience.”
New workshops and field visits are now available! Now with nearly 50 field visits and workshop options, there are numerous opportunities to make the most out of your attendance.
🌱 Explore Field Visits: buff.ly/ZJciNsl
💻 Look at Workshops: buff.ly/3NsSXc7
Join us this Friday at noon in 401 Steidle for the first Coffee Hour of spring!
🛰️ Dr. Christelle Wauthier will share how satellite radar helps detect ground movement linked to volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural hazards. 🌋
That's a wrap! My third and final study from my dissertation is now published open-access in the journal of information visualization! Check it out here: doi.org/10.1177/1473....
I now have no publications in the pipeline...time to get back to writing 😎.
🎓 As we begin the spring semester, we want to recognize our December 2025 undergraduate degree recipients. Congratulations and best wishes in your next chapter! 🎉
Geography core 🌎
Lily accidentally matched our new map panels and floor tiles today!
The map panels were recently installed in the main hallway outside the department office and graduate student lounge.
More to come as this space keeps coming together!
📸 @docholmes.bsky.social with her grad seminar students in their last class this week. Wishing everyone a strong finish and restful break!
To those taking finals next week, we are cheering you on!
This Giving Tuesday, your gift goes twice as far!
Alumnus Bob Myers is matching donations up to $25,000 to support the GeoGraphics Lab.
Your support helps fund student cartography and real-world mapping projects that benefit the community!
Join the match: raise.psu.edu/GeoGraphicsLab
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and we’re spotlighting alumnus Bob Myers.
Bob is matching gifts up to $25,000 to the GeoGraphics Lab Fund, doubling support for student cartography internships and hands-on mapping projects.
Join the match!: raise.psu.edu/GeoGraphicsLab
Congratulations to Brandi Robinson on receiving the Pennsylvania Geographical Society’s Distinguished Scholar Award!
The award recognizes individuals with substantive research, publications and professional development in geography.
Graphic titled “AAG Resources for Your Professional Journey” with a blue and red theme. Left side lists services with simple icons: Jobs in Geography Center, Ask a Geographer, Career & Research Mentors, Profiles of Professional Geographers, Professional Development Webinars, and Guide to Geography Programs. Right side has a red banner that says “Consider Careers in Geography — A great choice for the world’s future.” Background shows a faint world map pattern.
Are you a student or a professional with a passion for geography? Take advantage of AAG’s Professional Development Resources. Check out our Job Board for career growth needs, career profiles to discover new paths, or explore the Guide to the #Geography Programs if seeking a degree. buff.ly/AohpeuW
📣 Applications open for GENIUS 2026, a 3-day mentoring workshop at Penn State for rising third- and fourth-year students underrepresented in geography. 🌍
📅 May 27–29.
Apply by Feb. 15, 2026: www.geog.psu.edu/geniusworkshop
Donors have already given $6,650 to the GeoGraphics Lab Fund!
Alumnus Bob Myers will match gifts up to $25,000, doubling support for student cartography internships in our program.
Join the match: raise.psu.edu/GeoGraphicsLab
Congratulations to alumna Dr. Vivian Deidre Rodríguez-Rocha (PhD '24) for earning the 2025 National Women’s Studies Association x University of Illinois Press First Book Prize Recipient, awarded at the NWSA conference in Puerto Rico last week! The work is from her dissertation.
Students in GEOG 2N: Apocalyptic Geographies visited the Scotia Barrens to imagine how descendants of an original settlement might rediscover a post apocalyptic landscape.
Photos by Patrick Caswell
5 Tips On Future-Proofing Your GIS Career. As GIS evolves toward web-based applications, the skills required for a successful GIS career are also changing. Esri’s YPN provides advice on how to future-proof your GIS career by continuing your skill development and through community engagement, mentoring, networking, and attendance at conferences. 1.Stay Connected after You’ve Graduated 2. Equip Yourself to Overcome Challenges 3.Leverage Resources to Grow Your GIS Skills 4. Validate or Demonstrate Your GIS Skills 5. Build Your Presence and Reputation in the GIS Community
As #GIScience evolves toward web-based applications, skills required for a successful #GIS career are also changing. What does it mean to be a GIS professional of the future? Esri’s YPN provides 5 important tips for future-proofing your career with crucial resources you can leverage: buff.ly/5uWOCbh
Thank you to everyone who made Penn State GIS Day a success!
Students, faculty and alumni shared lightning talks in Foster Auditorium and kept conversations going at a reception in the Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information.
Tomorrow is GIS Day!
Lightning talks in Foster Auditorium (11:15 a.m.–12:05 p.m., 1:30–3 p.m.), a 3–4:30 p.m.
A reception at the Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, then GIS trivia and résumé reviews at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamer Center.
All are welcome!
