Curriculum Vitae

Education

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) University of Nebraska-Omaha, Projected Completion: December 2020.

Ph.D. in Development Studies, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Mexico, August 2012. Dissertation title: “Surviving Modern Agriculture in Nebraska: Organizational Strength and Sustainability.”  Advisor:  Gerardo Otero (Simon Fraser University, Canada).  Committee:  Christina Dando (University of Nebraska-Omaha), Darcy Tetreault (Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Mexico), Carlos Mallorquin (Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Mexico), Mary Hendrickson (University of Missouri). 

M.A. in Geography, University of Nebraska-Omaha, May 2009.  Thesis title: “Tepic to San Blas: A Geographical Reconstruction of a Segment of the Camino Real of Colonial Mexico.”  Advisor:  Charles Gildersleeve (Geography). Christina Dando (Geography/Women’s Studies).  Committee:  Jeffrey Peake (Geography) and Maria Arbelaez (History).

B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Latin America, University of Nebraska-Omaha, May 2002.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha; August 2019- Present:

Human Geography

World Regional Geography

Geography of Middle America

 

GIS Research Assistant, Ruaha Energy Company Limited, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; June 2018 – Present:

Solar energy potential maps – Kilosa District

Solar energy potential maps – Zanzibar

 

Adjunct Instructor, Department of History, Political Science, and Geography, Community College of Denver, Denver, CO; January 2017-May 2017:

            World Regional Geography

            Human Geography

           

 

Adjunct Instructor, Department of Science-Geography, Front Range Community College, Westminster & Brighton, CO; August 2014-December 2016:

            World Regional Geography

            Human Geography

Adjunct Social Science Instructor, Boulder Preparatory High School, Boulder, CO; August 2015-October 2015:

            World Regional Geography

            World Religions

 

Research Assistant, Kastan Mining, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; June 2014- June 2015:

Rural Electrification & Sustainable Village Development Project—Feasibility Report

Rural Electrification & Sustainable Village Development Project—Development Impact Assessment

 

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha; January 2014-May 2014:

            World Regional Geography

            Geography of Middle America

            Geography of Economic Globalization

 

Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE; February 2013-January 2014:

            Weather and Climates

            Soils and Landforms

            Intro to Geography

            Intro to Human Geography

 

Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha; January 2012- January 2014:

            Geography of Middle America

            Intro to Human Geography

 

Research Assistant, Simon Fraser University, Canada; August 2011-December 2011:

            NAFTA Agriculture Production Project

 

Guest Lecturer, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha:  

Cultural Geography: (Geography of Food); Spring 2012.

Human Geography: (Economic Development in Mexico); Fall 2011.

Human Geography: (Nature and Society); Spring 2011. 

 

Guest Lecturer, Department of Latino/Latin American Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha:  

Intro to Latino/Latin American Studies: (US/Mexico Relations); Fall 2011.

Intro to Latino/Latin American Studies: (Immigration and Identity); Fall 2011.

 

Teaching Assistant, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha; August 2007-May 2009:

            Human Geography

            Soils and Landforms

 

RESEARCH

INTERESTS

• Social movements and organized social resistance
• Political participation and democracy development
• Mexico, Central, and South America historical and contemporary development
• Great Plains – historical and contemporary development
• S.–Mexico relations
• Rural/urban community development
• Latin America and the informal economy

 

TEACHING

INTERESTS

• Geography/Sociology of agriculture and food
• Economic Geography
• Geography of Development
• Cultural and Historical Geography of Latin America (Mexico)
• Modern Mexico
• World Regional and Human Geography

 

INVITED

LECTURES

“Search for Aztlan; GPS Elevation Data Acquisition,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2019.

 

“Cultural Aspects of Sustainability,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2019.

 

“Search for Aztlan,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2019.

 

“Reconsidering West Mexico’s Coastal Plain History: In Light of Old Legends and New Discoveries,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2019.

 

“Food Systems,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2012.

 

“Nature & Society,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Spring 2011.

 

“Economic Development in Mexico,” Department of Geography & Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Fall 2011.

“US/Mexico Relations,” Department of Latino/Latin American Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Fall 2011.

 

“Immigration and Identity,” Department of Latino/Latin American Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Fall 2011.

 

PRESENTATIONS

“CommUNITY: Putting Unity back in Community” Diversity Dialogues, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO; April 12, 2016.

 

“Urban Gardening Techniques,” The Joshua School, Denver, CO; March 2015.

“Thinking Outside the Box: Community Development, Coalition Building, and Counter-Hegemony,” Infinite 8 Institute, Omaha, NE; March 4, 2014.

 

“Community Garden and Development Project Proposal,” Red Eye Development Group, Omaha, NE; February 4, 2013.

 

“Surviving Modern Agriculture in Nebraska: Organizational Strength and Sustainability.”  Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, New York, NY; February 2012.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT

PROJECTS

Park Avenue Community Garden, Infinite 8 Institute and Red Eye Development Group, Omaha, NE; April 8, 2014.

 

Dorothy Patach Environmental Area Community Garden and Permaculture Park, Red Eye Development Group, Omaha, NE; April 19, 2013.

 

Sustainable Backyards and Edible Landscapes, Red Eye Development Group, Omaha, NE & Denver, CO; March 2013-December 2016.

 

 

CONTINUING

EDUCATION

Graduate Certificate: GIS, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Completion Dec. 2020.

 

ArcGIS Pro Training, Esri Academy Online, Spring 2019:

• Preparing to Perform Analysis Using ArcGIS Pro
• Integrating Data in ArcGIS Pro
• Querying Data Using ArcGIS Pro
• Displaying Data in ArcGIS Pro
• Managing Map Layers in ArcGIS P
• Getting Started with the Geodatabase
• Getting Started with ArcGIS Pro

 

Teaching with a Purpose, Front Range Community College, Boulder County Campus, CO; Fall 2016:

           

Village Earth Community Planning and Development Certification Course,               Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Summer 2014:

• GSLL 1504-Particapatory Monitoring and Evaluation

 

ORGANIZATIONS

• Association of American Geographers
• Douglas County Farmers Union
• Red Eye-Historical Investigation, Geography, and Humanities
• Red Eye-Development Group
• Infinite 8 Institute Community Advisory Board (2013 and 2014)
• Muslim Student Association Sponsor (Front Range Community College 2015)
• AmeriCorps Alumni

 

RELATED

WORK

EXPERIENCE

PSI Lab Coordinator, Department of Geography and Geology, University of Nebraska-Omaha; Aug. 2018-Dec. 2019:

• Proctor exams

                       

                        Camp Counselor/Teacher, Aim for the Stars Science Camp, Omaha NE; June 2012 – Present:

• Taught youth Math and Science
• Supervised youth outdoor activities and field trips

 

                        Tutor, Department of Science-Geography, Front Range Community College, Westminster & Brighton, CO; Oct. 2014-Dec. 2016:

• History
• Geography
• Micro and Macro Economics
• Spanish
• English

                       

                        ESL Instructor, English Language Institute, Thornton, CO; June 2016 – Aug. 2016:

• Developed curriculum and lesson plans
• Taught youth and adult ESL classes

                       

                        Tutor, Tutor Doctor, Highlands Ranch, CO; Dec. 2014 – May 2016:

• K-12 Social Sciences
• Academic Coach

                       

                        Paraprofessional, Omaha Public Schools , Omaha, NE; Sept. 2002 – Jan. 2003:

• Reading and ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor

                        Urban Education Reading Instructor , AmeriCorps, Omaha, NE; Sept. 2000 – May 2002:

• Reading and ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor

                         

                        ESL Instructor, El Puente, Morelia, Michoacán (México); Jan. 2000 – May 2000:

• Developed curriculum and lesson plans
• Taught youth and adult ESL classes

                       

                        Tour Guide, Vallarta Ventures/Ventures del Sur, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (México); Jan. 1999 – May 2003:                                                               

• Drove passenger van
• Provided historical, cultural, and language information
• Made hotel, rental, and security arrangement when necessary
• Guided tours in Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Zacatecas, and Mexico City and the Federal District, as well as in Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica