Geography, Environment, & Sustainability Department | News

UNC Greensboro

Sarah Praskievicz and student conduct stream research

In Memoriam: Dr. Sarah Praskievicz

It is with deep sadness we share that Dr. Sarah Praskievicz, an associate professor in UNC Greensboro’s Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability (GES), died on Aug. 11, 2025, at her home in Greensboro, following a valiant 15-month battle with cancer. Praskievicz taught and conducted research in the areas of hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, and water resources. She was a consummate geographer, having visited all seven continents in her short 39 years. More importantly, she was a consummate human being and colleague, with a generous spirit, contagious (and loud!) laugh, and joie de vivre (joy of living) that brightened any room or outdoor space she entered.

Tyler Mitchell

Tyler Mitchell receives PhD and begins work at the University of Wyoming

Congratulations to Dr. Tyler Mitchell on receiving his PhD!  Tyler’s dissertation, Radial growth responses of four southeastern USA pine species to precipitation event types, intense rainfall, and the North Atlantic Subtropical High, addresses the importance of rainfall delivery, particularly how intense events are critically important for tree growth and in what way… Continue reading…

Dr. Selima Sultana

UNCG scientist investigates geography’s impact on access to jobs, recreation

When Selima Sultana was a graduate student living in Atlanta, Georgia, she was excited about a potential new job until she faced a hurdle in the application process.
“When I was interviewed, they asked whether I had a car and I said I didn’t. They were very hesitant to hire me,” she says.

This conundrum became the crux of Sultana’s dissertation research. Now, as a professor and the associate department head in UNC Greensboro’s Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability, Dr. Sultana is a leader in transportation and urban research. She has published and authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers, two books, and another book under contract. In 2024, she was named a fellow of the American Association of Geographers – a prestigious recognition for select scholars who have made significant contributions to geography.

Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers election results are in – Congratulations to Dr. Selima Sultana & Dr. Sarah Praskievicz

Congratulations to Dr. Selima Sultana and Dr. Sarah Praskievicz for being elected for leadership roles in the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG). Selima will serve as SEDAAG President while Sarah will serve as SEDAAG Treasurer.  Their two-year terms begin in late November 2023. This is quite… Continue reading…

Congratulations to Avery Catherwood

Congratulations to Avery Catherwood for her publication in the prestigious journal, Environmental Research: Climate (https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5295/ad0445). Avery’s work, “Increasing precipitation variability and climate-growth responses of five tree species in North Carolina, USA”, addresses how climatic change during 1950–2022 affected the radial-growth relationships of commonly used species for dendroclimatology studies, with considerable response variability… Continue reading…

Reseachers conduct field work at North Buffalo Creek, which is part of the headwaters of the Cape Fear watershed.

Cape Fear watershed project makes a splash across disciplines

Greensboro, known as the Gate City, is a hub for transportation, culture, and ideas. It’s also uniquely situated in the headwaters of the Cape Fear River.

So, it’s fitting that UNC Greensboro is also the nexus for a recently funded National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant that focuses on the Cape Fear Watershed. The project is titled “Watersheds for Place-Based Experiential Education” and commonly referred to as the Cape Fear Watershed Project (CFWP).
Aaron Allen is the principal investigator on the CFWP, director of the Environment and Sustainability Program, and an associate professor in the School of Music.

Keith Debbage

Dr. Debbage comments on Boom Supersonic Project

A recent op-ed column by Dr. Debbage in the Greensboro News and Record discussed the stunning announcement by Boom Supersonic that it plans to build a carbon neutral supersonic airplane at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.  He also discussed his recent airport research with InterVISTAS – an international airline consulting firm.  The… Continue reading…