PRESENTER(S)
Dr. Tom Mueller has been a geography professor at California University of Pennsylvania since 1999. He received his degrees at Towson University (BS), University of Connecticut (MA) and University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He co-created and is the advisor for the Geography Major with a concentration in Geographic Information Technology. His interests include Geographic Information Systems (Computer Mapping), geography education and world regional geography. His goal is to apply spatial theory to the real world, particularly using GIS. It is essential that service learning be included in his geography courses. For example, students in his courses have completed real world projects for local police departments, Federal Emergency Management Agency, etc.. He has also taught numerous GIS workshops for members of the local community, professors at Cal U and other campuses and K – 12 community. He has built a successful geography research agenda through a variety of scholarly endeavors, including conference presentations, grants, technical reports, book reviews and publications in professional journals
Nicole Ernst Nicole holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science (Slippery Rock University) and environmental studies (Montana State University) and a Master of Arts degree in Geography from East Carolina University. In her professional career, she has worked as a cartographer for the National Park Service at Bighorn Canyon in Montana/Wyoming and then for the Outer Banks Group of parks in North Carolina. Currently she is Associate Professor of Geospatial Technology at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in Central Pennsylvania. At HACC she teaches for the college’s Virtual Learning unit and uses community based geospatial projects to enhance the student experience.