EEGS students and faculty attend Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting
September 10, 2026
Dr. Matthew Van Grinsven recently traveled to New Orleans, LA, for the 2026 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting with Madelynn Williams (Environmental Science, GIS Certificate) and Delany Frank (BS Environmental Science, GIS Certificate, 2026). Madelynn and Delany each presented their research focused on assessing geospatial properties and vegetation communities to support dam removal and riparian restoration efforts along Lowney Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to an international wetland science audience. The students also used the SWS Annual Meeting as an opportunity to connect with peers and learn about similar research projects. Delany recently accepted a graduate research position as an M.S. Environmental Engineering student focused on wetland hydrology and geospatial modeling, where she will continue her professional wetland science and GIS career beyond NMU.
EEGS faculty develop NMU Sustainability Research Lab
September 10, 2026
In connection with the new Master of Science in Sustainability program, Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt, Dr. Jelili Adebiyi, and Dr. Ryan Stock are launching NMU's Sustainability Research Lab. The Sustainability Research Lab combines multidisciplinary expertise to examine problems that lie at the intersection of equity and the environment. Housed within the Department of Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences (EEGS), this lab is run collaboratively using democratic processes and a service-leadership model to enhance learning and scholarship related to sustainability and mentor students in this realm. The goal of the lab is to share and support sustainability research and to create data-driven solutions to local and global environmental challenges.
Van Grinsven talks Lake Superior geology
September 9, 2026
Dr. Matthew Van Grinsven was recently interviewed on the Wintergreen Guiding Presents podcast series, where he represented the EEGS Department to discuss Lake Superior geology. He shared his passion for geology and knowledge of the unique geologic formations found around Lake Superior. Dr. Van Grinsven was interviewed by Tony Barnes, who is the host of the podcast and owner of Wintergreen Guiding. This interview is the first installment of a two-part series, Lake Superior Geology Tour, and the second interview will be available for viewing in the coming weeks. Introductory geology information and reviews of the popular geologic formations and rocks found around Lake Superior and Marquette are presented in this first segment of the geology tour.
Dr. Van Grinsven gave some insight into the motivation behind this special series during his introduction of the interview: “We are going to do a Lake Superior geology tour, as many of us like to walk around the shore, walk along the bluffs, and learn the history of the rocks. I just love the story rocks tell and what we can interpret for them.”
EEGS welcomes Chesler as assistant professor
September 4, 2026
Dr. Aaron Chesler is beginning a tenure-track position as an assistant professor in EEGS. He is committed to teaching excellence, and the EEGS Department is pleased to have him teach GC 235 – Quantitative Methods and GC 385 - Weather and Climate. We welcome Dr. Chesler to Marquette.
Where are you from?
I am originally from the Northeast and have spent a good amount of time in northern New York, Vermont, and Maine.
What is your academic background?
I consider myself an Earth Scientist with a primary focus on climate and paleoclimate variability. I use surface chemistry preserved in glacier snowpack and ice to see how regions such as Alaska and Antarctica are changing or have changed over the past 54,000 years. In Alaska, I have active research in collaboration with the Juneau Icefield
Research Program and the Wrangell Mountain Field Studies program. I am looking forward to supporting students getting involved with each of these programs in the future.
What is something especially interesting that you have learned from your research?
I am really interested and excited about the relationship between the atmosphere and the ocean and how this relationship can impact atmospheric carbon dioxide dynamics. I have a new paper about to published in the journal, Climate of the Past, that explores Southern Hemisphere Westerly Wind dynamics over the past 11,300 years. It seems that temperature change is driving winds to increase in strength and shift southward during this time. This is important because atmospheric dynamics during this period are still poorly constrained and may have implications for modern West Antarctic ice sheet stability and sea level rise.
What led you to NMU?
I am looking forward to continuing my involvement with undergraduate research which I think the EEGS department at NMU does really well. I am excited about the opportunity to work with students to explore how the Upper Peninsula is changing and to continue my work with students on Alaskan and Antarctic climate change.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I am an avid skier and I enjoy mountain biking and backpacking as well. When I am not outside, I am usually playing my guitar. Mt. Bohemia has been on my radar for a while so I am looking forward to getting up there and skiing between the trees.
Note: Lightly edited for length and clarity.
EEGS welcomes Pasek as term instructor
September 4, 2026
Emily Pasek is beginning a term instructor position in EEGS. She is committed to teaching excellence, and the EEGS Department is pleased to have her teach GC 255 - Physical Geology and GC 488 - Earth and Environmental Science Capstone Research. She answered some questions so that we could all learn more about her.
Where are you from?
I am from East Lansing, Michigan.
What is your academic background?
I have a BS in Geological Sciences from Michigan State University and am currently finishing my PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences, also from MSU. My current area of study is geocognition, which is a subfield of geoscience that deals with how people understand and make decisions about the Earth.
What is something especially interesting that you have learned from your research?
A lot of my work is focused on recruiting and retaining undergraduate students in the Earth sciences, because right now the discipline is dealing with a fairly serious employment gap where there are significantly more jobs for qualified geoscientists than there are geoscientists. One thing I have been exploring in my research is the relationship between creative self-efficacy, which is a person’s belief in their own ability to be creative and solve problems in original ways, and other factors that determine persistence in the geosciences. I have learned that giving students opportunities to build creative self-efficacy in the classroom has a positive impact on their sense of belonging, which in turn can help them develop scientific identities and make them more likely to stay motivated in their academic pursuits.
What led you to NMU?
I am at the very end of my PhD program, and since I have spent so much of the last few years focusing on undergraduate education, I have been really interested in beginning the next phase of my career at an institution that shares my values when it comes to teaching. NMU feels like a school where I can make a difference, and I am happy that there’s a place for me here. (Being able to see Lake Superior from my office window is also a really nice bonus.)
What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of work, I enjoy making music, sewing, metalsmithing, and spending time outdoors.
Note: Lightly edited for length and clarity.
M.S. in Sustainability graduate students excited for the program’s future
September 1, 2026
A new cohort of graduate students in the M.S. in Sustainability program brings excitement to the EEGS Department. Although the program officially started in Fall 2025 with a cohort of one student, the program now welcomes three new graduate students during Fall 2026. The four graduate students each bring multidisciplinary backgrounds, varied perspectives, and unique experiences that will help shape and direct the growing program. The breadth of the program has allowed each student to follow a different track of study and to choose between a traditional master’s thesis or a hands-on practicum experience. Research, leadership, and academic and professional growth are all core values that this new program is proud to instill in its graduate students.
This semester, Ezra Dedenbach, Susan Robison, Lydia Seeley, and Elleanna Viere will work together to research the impacts of tourism on communities and individuals of the Upper Peninsula as part of their GC 501 - Seminar in Sustainability project. This project will focus on the environmental, economic, and sustainability challenges created by the millions of seasonal visitors to the U.P. The students look forward to visiting surrounding communities to conduct their research and present their sustainable tourism plan back to the community at the end of the semester.
Please see the full story for an inside look at each graduate student.
Changing forecasts, unchanged enthusiasm at the Tenth Environmental Science Camp
July 23, 2026
In July, the EEGS Department and Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center co-hosted the Tenth Environmental Science Camp. Eighteen high school students from the region spent one week at NMU immersed in the college experience. The campers visited sites around the Marquette area to learn about geology, solar energy, watersheds, forest ecology, environmental management, and coastal restoration.
Please see the Tenth Environmental Science Camp news page for the full story.
Stock selected as Chair of AAG Climate Action Committee
July 22, 2026
Dr. Ryan Stock was selected as the Chair of the Climate Action Committee of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). In this role, he will focus on mobilizing climate advocacy within the organization, decarbonizing operations and conferences, and prioritizing climate justice initiatives. Dr. Stock has been a member of the Climate Action Committee since August 2023 and was selected to represent AAG at the 2025 United Nations climate conference (UNFCCC COP30). Prior to accepting this new role, Dr. Stock was Co-Chair of the AAG’s Energy & Environment specialty group, where he spearheaded numerous climate and equity initiatives. At NMU’s EEGS Department, Dr. Stock is an energy geographer and political ecologist with an active research agenda approaching climate solutions from an intersectional and decolonial perspective. For many years on campus and in the community, Dr. Stock has been an active leader in the realms of climate, energy and environmental justice.
Legg begins term as Department Head
June 30, 2026
Dr. Robert Legg begins serving his term as the EEGS Department Head. He succeeds Dr. Sarah Mittlefehldt, who served as Interim Department Head for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
Dr. Legg has worked at Northern since 2006, and he teaches courses in Geographic Information Systems, cartographic design, spatial analysis, and quantitative methods. Dr. Legg also maintains an active research agenda in Geographic Information Systems, geoarcheology, and paleo-environments.
EEGS faculty receive key promotions
June 30, 2026
Three faculty members in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Science (EEGS) have been recognized with significant career advancements. Dr. Weronika Kusek received promotion to the rank of Full Professor. Dr. Adam Naito and Dr. Ryan Stock received promotions to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure.
Dr. Kusek is a human geographer who specializes in cultural geography, ethnic geography, and urban geography. She teaches courses in human geography, urban geography, and population geography. Dr. Kusek also serves as a Provost Fellow and the EEGS Graduate Program Director for the MS in Sustainability program.
Dr. Stock is an energy geographer and political ecologist. He teaches courses in geographic research, economic geography, sustainability, environmental justice, and gender and environment. Dr. Stock maintains a highly active research agenda in renewable energy transitions and climate change interventions spanning projects in Ghana, India, and the United States.
Dr. Naito is a physical geographer and landscape ecologist. He teaches courses in physical geography, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and landscape ecology. Dr. Naito serves as a faculty author on Northern's Assurance Argument for accreditation reaffirmation with the Higher Learning Commission, as well as on the editorial board of the Annals of the American Association of Geographers.
These key promotions were approved by the NMU Board of Trustees at their May 1, 2026 meeting.