About Us

About UsMission & VisionOur Commitment to Diversity & InclusionGES DEI Committee

About Us

Welcome to the Department of Geography & Earth Sciences (GES)!

We invite you to explore our webpages on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) wherein our aim is to cultivate and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, staff and faculty. No matter where you come from, no matter your background or life experience, you are part of the GES family and we welcome you with open arms, minds and hearts. It is our expressed desire that you feel a sense of belonging, that you find balance between studies and personal enrichment, and that you thrive within your specific major and our department as a whole.

On our GES DEI webpages you will find plenty of information to support you throughout your journey with us, including academics and research, mentoring opportunities, departmental and campus-wide advocacy and support, and a well-rounded set of resources

Mission & Vision

Our DEI Mission is to uphold a geography and earth sciences learning community rich in the study and appreciation of diverse contributions and perspectives. We share a deep understanding of the existence and consequences of social inequities, and advocate for equity and justice in policy and practice. We affirm individual excellence across all backgrounds and collaborate to cultivate inclusive classrooms. And we commit to protect our GES community against the harmful effects of racism, discrimination and bias.

Our DEI Vision is to be a department in which all of its members feel welcome and valued across race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, faith practice, socioeconomic background, age, and veteran or disability status. We desire for each individual to have a sense of belonging, where all opinions matter, where there are equitable opportunities for study, research, outreach and overall intellectual growth, and with ongoing self and departmental reflections that address micro to macro-level bias. As we grow in size and diversity, we continually strive for equitable and inclusive classrooms and other spaces of learning and intellectual exchange.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

The Department of Geography & Earth Sciences is an academic community, welcoming of diverse peoples and perspectives. We are committed to the equitable treatment of all students, staff and faculty and work towards the elimination of discrimination and bias within our curricula, classrooms and department culture as a whole. We value, respect and celebrate the unique contributions of each individual within the GES community and strive to provide equitable access to resources and opportunities.

GES DEI Committee

Department of Geography and Earth Sciences Diversity, Equity, Inclusion ad hoc committee members

Dr. Sandra Clinton
Research Assistant Professor
Email: sclinto1@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Dr. Casey Davenport
Associate Professor
Email: Casey.Davenport@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Dr. Sara Gagné
Associate Professor
Email: sgagne@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Dr. Colleen Hammelman
Associate Professor
Email: chammelm@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Dr. Fushcia-Ann Hoover
Assistant Professor
Email: fhoover3@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Dr. Katherine Idziorek
Assistant Professor
Email: kidziorek@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Terry Shirley
Senior Lecturer, Associate Department Chair
Email: trshirle@uncc.edu
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Dr. Heather Smith
Professor
Email: heatsmit@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Dr. Michelle Zuñiga
Assistant Professor
Email: mzuniga@uncc.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Robert Gooljar
PhD Student
Email: rgooljar@uncc.edu
Pronouns: He, Him, His

 

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