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.