In October 2025, members of the EEGS Department traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to attend the fall meeting of the West Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers. Gifts made by generous alumni and friends of EEGS support student participation at conferences like this one. EEGS undergraduates were inspired by the diversity of research that was presented.
Dr. Weronika Kusek reflected, “Attending this annual conference provides students with exposure to different dimensions of geographic research. They have the valuable opportunity to connect with peers at regional institutions who will be working in the same fields.” Dr. Kusek, as graduate program director, and Dr. Susy Ziegler, interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies & Research, promoted the new Master of Science in Sustainability program while at the meeting.
The keynote address was held at the American Geographical Society Library, where attendees were awestruck by the collection of 256 different globes. The keynote speaker, a national expert on transportation geography, connected really well with students in the GC 310 Urban Geography course that Dr. Kusek teaches.
Environmental Studies and Sustainability major Avery Case presented a poster on NMU’s progress with carbon neutrality, which is the topic of her SHINE internship. Avery observed, “I had a lot of attendees from different schools say that they didn’t know if their school had a carbon neutrality plan, and they felt inspired by what Northern [Michigan University] is doing. It was a good feeling.”
Cali Godlewski commented that her interactions at the meeting opened doors: “The conference helped me refine my career aspirations. It gave me the opportunity to hear presentations about transportation and gentrification and talk with students and faculty who conduct research in that field.”
Dr. Jelili Adebiyi moderated a session and presented a thought-provoking paper on collaborative research titled Exploring the Interplay Between Sustainability Knowledge, Values, and Food Waste Behaviors in the U.S. Five EEGS students from Dr. Adebiyi’s research group made a positive impression at the conference with a series of dynamic oral presentations. Senior Miki Rogers shared results of the project that she is conducting through the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program. The title of her presentation was Sustainable Farmers in the Upper Peninsula: Challenges and Place-adapted Agroecological Practices. Another outcome of her fellowship is a forthcoming original documentary. Quinn Hilla presented eye-opening results from waste audits that NMU students helped conduct. Lola Rigano and Lily Riehl shared innovative mapping work that identified Marquette County's properties most vulnerable to wildfire. Emma Teske complemented their findings with an engaging poster presentation.
The conference was a high-impact experience for the NMU team—sparking new collaborations, showcasing student-led innovation, and reaffirming NMU’s leadership in sustainability research and education.