Education

BA Sociology/Anthropology - Truman State University, 2004
MS Geography - Virginia Tech, 2007
PhD Candidate in Geospatial and Environmental Analysis - Virginia Tech - present

Research Project Title and Description:
Improving the Cartographic Presentation of Language: Understanding language map construction, visualizing language diversity, and investigating language map interpretation

Language maps are a common feature in many introductory cultural geography
texts, however little attention is given to how these maps are created.  This
project will first review and critique mapping techniques that have been used
for documenting language.  I will then implement available GIS tools to explore
new possible strategies for language mapping in order to produce effective and
meaningful maps for educational and archival purposes.

Career and Academic Interests:
My academic interests are many, including cartography, GIS applications, social
stratification, cultural geography, medical geography and all things language:
ethnolinguistic geography, sociolinguistics, and linguistic anthropology.

Research or Teaching Activities:
Graduate Research Assistant  Fall 2005 - Spring 2007 - Dr. Bill Carstensen
Graduate Teaching Assistant  Fall 2007  Introduction to Human Geography - Dr. Korine Kolivras
Graduate Research Assistant  Spring 2008 - Dr. Korine Kolivras
Graduate Teaching Assistant  Fall 2008  GIS in Natural Resource Management - Dr. Steve Prisley
Graduate Research Assistant Spring 2009 - Dr. Korine Kolivras
Instructor for GEOG 1004 Intro to Human Geography Summer 2009

Advisor:
Korine Kolivras - Co-Chair
Dr. Steve Prisley - Co-chair
Dr. Bill Carstensen
Dr. Lynn Resler