Healthy Departments Initiative

The AAG Geography Department Chairs’ listserv is a critical resource for geography program leaders to share information on best practices, ideas, and resources for running a successful program. Incoming, current, or former geography/GIS or related program leaders are eligible to join the listserv.

The Professional Journey section of the AAG website includes information and resources on geography careers that can be used to inform students and potential majors about the many dynamic and exciting career opportunities available with a degree in geography.

• Geography Career Profiles — Learn about geography careers from profiles of professional geographers working in education, business, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
• Private Sector Careers — Learn how geographers are creating positive change within private companies large and small as they begin to recognize the value of geographic analysis in their everyday operations.
• Federal Government Careers — The federal government has numerous, varied, and a constantly growing number of geography-related positions due to an expanding need for geographic expertise and analysis.
• State and Local Government Careers — Geographers are involved in a variety of state and local government organizations and departments that focus on transportation, health, environmental protection, urban planning, economic development, and more.
• Nonprofit and NGO Careers — With their ability to understand complex relationships between people, place, community, environment, and society, geographers are well positioned to apply their disciplinary perspectives to the nonprofit sector.
• Academic Careers — There are many academic career paths available for geographers. These can vary, from a tenured faculty position at a large institution, to part-time adjunct teaching at a community college, to influencing the younger generation as a K-12 teacher.

The AAG’s YouTube channel features a wide variety of content that can be valuable for geography program leaders. Subscribe to the channel for the latest updates!

• A World of Possibilities is Waiting for You with a Degree in Geography — With skills in geography, your students have tools to work for respected companies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and in public service for local, state, or national governments.
• AAG Geography Student Recruitment Webinar — First offered at the 2019 AAG Regional Division meetings, this workshop covers strategies and resources that can help you and your geography program in recruiting and advising students.
• Preparing Geography Students for the 21st Century Workforce: A Workshop — Created by Joseph Kerski (Esri) in collaboration with the AAG, this workshop prepares geography educators to inform their students about career opportunities for geography graduates in the modern workforce.

Founded by Professor Ken Foote of the University of Connecticut with the support of the National Science Foundation and the AAG, the Geography Faculty Development Alliance (GFDA) offers an annual Department Leadership workshop for all geographers interested in improving their programs — chairs, deans, associate chairs, academic advisers, provosts and other administrators, as well as all faculty interested in leadership issues. The workshop is particularly well suited for individuals who may soon assume leadership positions. Coming soon: 2024 Department Leadership workshop (June 17-18, 2024).

The AAG annual meeting typically includes many in-person, virtual and hybrid sessions within its wider professional development curated track that are relevant to geography department leaders. If you plan to attend the annual meeting, consider attending the featured sessions below organized by the Healthy Departments Committee:

• Departments in Peril: Tips and Tools for Saving University and College Geography (Session One)
• Departments in Peril: Tips and Tools for Saving University and College Geography (Session Two)