Department of Geography and Anthropology Academic Distinction Statement

  The Department of Geography and Anthropology at Kennesaw State University empowers students to explore the complex connections between people, cultures, places, and environments. Through engaging instruction, meaningful mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand the human experience and address the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. Rooted in a student-centered commitment to academic excellence, the department fosters a welcoming and collaborative environment where curiosity, critical thinking, and active participation drive learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Our faculty are passionate educators and researchers who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom while actively involving students in the discovery process. Through undergraduate research, internships, field experiences, community-based projects, study abroad programs, and service-learning opportunities, students gain practical experience that enhances their education and prepares them for success after graduation. These experiences help students build professional skills, engage with diverse communities, and develop a deeper understanding of the cultural, physical, and spatial forces that shape our world.

Faculty and student research addresses critical issues at the local, regional, and global levels, including sustainability and environmental studies, geospatial technologies, land surveying, forensic science, heritage and resource management, and studies of culture, community, and livelihoods. By combining innovative research with exceptional teaching and mentorship, the department equips graduates with the creativity, technical expertise, and global perspective needed to make meaningful contributions to their professions and communities. Through this commitment to academic excellence and experiential learning, the Department of Geography and Anthropology prepares students to become informed, engaged, and impactful global citizens.

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New Faculty Spotlight: Olagoke Daramola

Olagoke E. Daramola earned his Ph.D. in Marine Science (Hydrography) from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he also obtained the internationally recognized FIG/IHO/ICA Category "A" Certificate in Hydrography. He holds both M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Surveying and Geoinformatics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His research integrates remote sensing, photogrammetry, and hydrography to investigate landscape evolution and fluvial and marine geophysical and geomorphological processes. His work leverages advanced geospatial technologies, including LiDAR, InSAR, GNSS, sonar, GIS, and geospatial data analytics, to develop innovative approaches for Earth observation, terrain analysis, and environmental monitoring. Dr. Daramola is passionate about interdisciplinary research, student mentorship, and collaborative scholarship, and looks forward to contributing to the teaching, research, and service missions of the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Kennesaw State University. 

Radow College Outstanding Advisor Award: Christine Jacobs

Our very own Christine Jacobs is the first recipient of the Radow College Outstanding Advisor Award.  Christine is a favorite among our GSS, Geography and Anthropology students.  The Selection Committee chose Christine for her mentoring, advocacy, and outstanding service to advisees, faculty, and staff. She has a mastery of regulations, policies, and procedures.  She is an encourager to our students to pursue scholarships and fellowships while helping them integrate their undergraduate/graduate education, curriculum, and experiences into their overall personal and professional journey.  Christine continues to be an indispensable team member in the Department of Geography and Anthropology.

New Faculty Spotlight: Jielu (Jenny) Zhang

Jielu (Jenny) Zhang is a new Assistant Professor of Geography and Geospatial Sciences at Kennesaw State University and an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Health Geographics. She earned her Ph.D. in Geography and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Georgia and previously worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Geographic Analysis. Her research focuses on explainable geospatial artificial intelligence, spatial machine learning, and causal inference, with applications in geospatial health science, healthcare accessibility, and health disparities. She also studies spatial knowledge graphs, large language models, and optimization methods for emergency response and health resource allocation. Her work has appeared in journals including the International Journal of Geographical Information Science and the Journal of the American Heart Association, as well as at leading computer science conferences such as SIGIR and NeurIPS. She is excited to join the department and contribute to its research, teaching, and service missions. 

New Faculty Spotlight: Raul Basilio

Raul Basilio is a cultural anthropologist who received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. His research examines the intersections of environmental degradation, social inequality, and human–animal relations in unequal urban landscapes. His NSF-funded doctoral research, conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, explored how residents of gated communities and favelas experience and respond to environmental contamination. Raul employs ethnographic fieldwork, archival research, and collaborative visual methods to examine how social inequality, infrastructure, and multispecies life intersect. His broader research interests include urban political ecology, environmental and social justice, multispecies ethnography, environmental contamination, and Latin America. 

Geography & Geospatial Sciences 2025 Regents Award

The Department of Geography and Anthropology was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award. The programs integrate research, technology, and hands-on experiences to prepare students for emerging challenges in their fields. The Board of Regents award is designed to showcase an outstanding department or program that promotes, supports, and recognizes excellence in teaching and innovative approaches to serving students. 
“Our esteemed faculty in the geography and geospatial sciences programs have exemplified their willingness to continue improving the way they educate to stay ahead of the curve,” said Ivan Pulinkala, KSU provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Their passion for teaching and dedication to their fields of expertise reaffirms KSU’s commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience.”
This award adds to the program's accolades, to include the 2021 American Association of Geographers Award for the Bachelor Program.

 

2022-2023 Advisor Student Choice Award

Congratulations to Christine Jacobs, WINNER of the 2022-2023 Advisor Student Choice Award! Read what our students had to say about Christine's amazing contributions.

More information about academic advising.

GSS Faculty Spotlight

Mostafa Arastounia is an assistant professor of Geospatial Sciences at Kennesaw State University. He teaches land surveying courses, and his research is focused on automated processing of data obtained by terrestrial laser scanners and unmanned aircraft. Read more about our GSS faculty.

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