Department of Geography & Planning
Faculty and Staff
Faculty - Geography
Mikhail 'Misha' Blinnikov
Professor of Geography
Graduate Coordinator
GIS Graduate Certificate Adviser
Ph.D. 1999, University of Oregon
Research Focus: Biogeography, conservation, phytolith analysis, GIS, Russia/former Soviet Union.
Gareth John
Associate Professor of Geography
Ph.D. 2003, University of Kentucky
Research Focus: Cultural geography, historical geography, landscapes, history of geographical thought and practice, geographic education, American popular culture, contemporary British culture and society, geography of wine.
Benjamin Richason
Professor of Geography
Geographic Information Science (GIS) major and minors adviser
Ph.D. 1978, Michigan State University
Research Focus: Remote sensing, cartography, soils, geographic information science (GIS).
Jeffrey Torguson
Professor of Geography
Geography majors and minors adviser
Ph.D. 1993, University of Georgia
Research Focus: Cartography, geographic information science (GIS), physical geography, Asia.
David Wall
Professor of Geography
Department Chair
Ph.D. 1990, University of Iowa
Research Focus: Economic geography, urban planning, research methods, Latin America.
Faculty - Land Surveying & Mapping Sciences
Eric Fuller
Associate Professor of Land Surveying & Mapping Sciences
Director of Land Surveying & Mapping Sciences Program
M.Eng. Purdue University 2007
Research Focus: Surveying, GIS, Cartography, GPS, site development, photogrammetry and remote sensing
Faculty - Planning & Community Development
Luis Estevez
Associate Professor of Planning and Community Development
Ph.D. 2012, Texas A&M University
Research Focus: Housing markets, regional planning, quantitative methods and international planning.
Aspasia Rigopoulou-Melcher
Director, Planning and Community Development
Associate Professor of Planning and Community Development
Ph.D. / MURP, 2000, Urban and Regional Planning and Economic Development, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Research Focus: Post-industrial urban and regional economic development, high technology development, public and private partnerships, housing, rural and community development and capacity building.
Chukwunyere 'Chuks' Ugochukwu
Associate Professor of Planning and Community Development
Ph.D. 2004, Urban Design, Jackson State University
Research Focus: Heritage/historic preservation; urban design; architecture; urban/regional planning.
Faculty - Social Studies Education
Cynthia Fitzthum
Director of Social Studies Education, Interim
M.A., University of Delaware
Doctoral Candidate in Higher Education Administration, St. Cloud State University
Research Focus: Economics education.
Faculty - Hospitality & Tourism
Randal Baker
Program Director
Professor of Hospitality & Tourism
Hospitality & Tourism B.A. adviser
Ph.D. 1993, Oregon State University
Research Focus: Tourism development, community development, natural resources, outdoor recreation.
Belkis Kambach
Assistant Professor of Hospitality & Tourism
M.Ed. 2004, Endicott College & GLION Hotel School, Bulle, Switzerland
Research Focus: Travel and tourism, education, eco-tourism and conservation, tour management, cruise line industry, environmental interpretation, travel writing.
Hung-Chih 'Alvin' Yu
Associate Professor of Hospitality & Tourism
Hospitality & Tourism B.A. adviser
PhD. 2008, Pennsylvania State University
Research Focus: Travel and tourism; tourism management, educational tour, instructional systems. Hospitality and Tourism Club adviser.
Staff
Candy Swenson
Office Manager
B.S. 1998, Bemidji State University
