News : The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education : Texas State University

Current News - 2026

Check here for what has been happening at the Grosvenor Center this past year!

Oct 23-25 2026

Texas Council for the Social Studies Conference

We had a booth at the annual conference. Additionally, we featured a geography strand of presentations and honored our Val Wilkie award winners at the luncheon!

Oct 23 2026

Dr. Zadrozny was named one of the Alpha Chi Favorite Professors for 2026 awarded by the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

Oct 16-18 2026

Alum Dr. Serrano awarded NCGE Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation award at NCGE

Dr. Samantha Serrano (advisor Jo) was awarded the NCGE Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation award. Her dissertation, “The Impact of Advanced Placement on Academic Growth: High School Trajectories and the Role of Social and Cultural Capital in AP Human Geography” draws on rigorous empirical evidence to address important debates in geography education, making a timely and significant contribution to our understanding of AP Human Geography, educational equity, and student outcomes.

Aug 19 2026

We would like to introduce Dr. Injeong Jo as the new director of the Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education. Dr. Giordano will remain as interim co-director for the next year as she transitions into this new role.

She will also serve as the coordinator of TAGE.

Aug 1 2026

Congratulations to Heather (Palma) Jones on her Ph.D. in Geographic Education! Her dissertation was on the future of geography edu in Saudi Arabia.

Jul/Aug 2026

Stacie finished out the summer making stops at ESC Region 1 and Katy ISD to provide geography teachers with some professional development!

July 28 2026

Thanks to funding support from Sid Richardson Foundation, teachers received a professional development experience all around urban farming and AfroGreen'D!

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June 24 2026

7th Annual Metroplex Social Studies Conference

The Texas Alliance for Geographic Education has a booth at the 7th Annual Metroplex Social Studies Conference hosted by Education Service Center Region 10 and Region 11. Stacie attends to share with teachers in the DFW metroplex resources and information about upcoming professional development opportunities offered by TAGE.

May 15 2026

At the Spring 2026 convocation, Brendan Vander Weil and Terressa Michelle Crane graduated becoming the newest geography education PhDs. And Roman Valles graduated with his Masters in Applied Geography (Geographic Education). Congratulations to all!

Bren being hooded at commencement — Bren Vander Weil

Advisor: Dr. Michael Solem
Ph.D. in Geography

Geography candid shot — Michelle Crane (pictured far right)

Advisor: Dr. Colleen Myles
Ph.D. in Geographic Education

commencement — Spring Commencement 2026

Friday, May 15, 2026, 2:00pm

Group Photo

Spring 2026 graduates of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University!

May 14 2026

Reshaping How Geography is Taught | Dr. Joann Zadrozny | The Current Ep. 36

In the 36th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to alumna Dr. Joann Doering Zadrozny, research associate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. They discuss her enrolling at TXST for graduate school due to the reputation of the geography department, why she is so passionate about geography education, and her focus on Powerful Geography to help reshape how geography is taught, learned, and applied in the real world.

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April 2026

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Dr. Richard G. Boehm was awarded the designation of Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

February 2026

The Current with President Damphousse

Dr. Zadrozny sits down with President Kelly Damphousse to talk all things geography, geography education, maps, technology, Powerful Geography, and the online graduate degree programs offered in geography education. The episode will be released later this year.

President Kelly Damphousse and Dr. Joann Zadrozny sit down for his podcast, The Current

Professional Development

It's been a busy start of the year providing professional development for teachers across the state!

Jan 6. Stacie @ Aldine ISD | Feb 2. Stacie @Mesquite ISD | Feb 16. Joanna @ Northside ISD

We are also continuing our partnership with ESC Region One on Project L3.

Project L3

A few photos from our partnership with ESC Region One and their Project Legacy and Legends Live (Project L3). Dates: January 28, February 28 and March 25, 2026