Overview

The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education at Texas State University was established in 1998 under an agreement (M.O.U.) between Texas State University and the National Geographic Society (NGS) for the use of then CEO Gilbert M. Grosvenor's name as part of the Center's title. The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education (GCGE) leads the nation in geographic education research and outreach. Its mission is to advance teaching and learning of geography through innovative methods, curriculum design, assessment strategies, and technology integration. The Grosvenor Center operates as a central resource hub, influences public policy, and builds partnerships throughout the state, nation and world. 

The Grosvenor Center supports the future of geography with the creation of the only 100% online graduate (Master's and Doctoral) degree in geography education in the United States. The Grosvenor Center once sponsored doctoral geography students via the Grosvenor Scholar program, whom worked for one year at NGS’s D.C. headquarters. There is also a history of hosting the Grosvenor Distinguished Lecture Series with prominent individuals speaking on the importance of geography. The Grosvenor Center, with the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education (TAGE), also engages K–12 teachers through workshops and powerful online professional development establishing Texas State as a premier center in geography education across the U.S.

The Grosvenor Center, although a part of the Department of Geography and Environment Studies at Texas State University, solely operates on soft money to support staff, projects and daily operations. We prioritize partnerships that fund our time and work. We operate like a non-profit organization within the Texas State University system and funding comes from grants, foundations, endowments, and donors. Funding goes towards paying for staff, travel, supplies, and operating costs. We are aware of budgetary pressures that organizations and school districts are often under. We are open to find a way to make things work that are affordable in order to build a partnership. 

The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education was originally made possible with the financial support of:

• National Geographic Society
• Sid. W Richardson Foundation
• Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
• Richard G. Boehm and Denise Blanchard Boehm
• Dodge Jones Foundation
• Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson
• Anne and Robert Cooper
• Texas State University - Department of Geography
• National Council for Geographic Education
• Association of American Geographers
• Rand McNally and Co.