Geology and geography unite as new department
If you’ve ever wondered whether a program was in geology or geography, you won’t have to anymore. This spring, the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment and the Department of Geological Sciences merged to form the Department of Earth, Environment and Planning in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences.
Jeff Popke will chair the new Department of Earth, Environment and Planning.
Dean Allison Danell said the nearly two-year process was guided by a focus on student success and community impact. “From the outset, they recognized a shared priority: putting our environment and communities first while creating a welcoming space for learners to engage, contribute and grow,” she said.
Jeff Popke, professor and former chair of geography, planning and environment, now leads the new department. He emphasized the advantages of bringing disciplines together. “We gain the breadth across all of our various areas of expertise,” he said. “It provides greater opportunity for faculty to work together … to address problems and challenges that have a real impact in eastern North Carolina.”
Eric Horsman, associate professor and former interim chair of geological sciences, added that the merger has already sparked new collaborations. “Everyone will benefit because our work is inherently interdisciplinary and we’re actively fostering those ties,” he said.
Students will see the benefits in programs such as the rapidly growing bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, as well as expanded research and career-readiness opportunities.
Alumna and current graduate student Giuliana Roccisano said, “With the way the climate crisis and both geology and geography fields are evolving, bringing faculty together can make interdisciplinary collaboration more accessible for students.”