Published on December 11, 2024 by Gunnar Sadowey  
SEDAAG 2024

Samford University geography students and faculty showcased their academic engagement and leadership at the Southeastern Division of the Association of American Geographers (SEDAAG) Conference held Nov. 23-25 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Jennifer Rahn, associate professor of geography, received the SEDAAG Award for Student Mentorship. The award recognizes her dedication to guiding students in their academic and professional journeys. Rahn also served on the SEDAAG Steering Committee, coordinated the Undergraduate Poster Competition, and facilitated a panel on teaching strategies.

“After many years of working with Samford students who presented their research at regional and national geography meetings, it was a great surprise to be recognized for my efforts,” said Rahn. “My goal is to challenge students to push their boundaries and reach their full potential, and I am dedicated to supporting them throughout their journey.”

Jonathan Fleming, associate professor of geography, supervised three senior student research presentations, including:

  • Rachel Barnfield: Analysis of Riparian Zone Modifications in the Coosa River Basin Across Multiple Fixed-Width Distances

  • Gabby Hampton: Scale-Dependent Influence of Land Cover on E. coli Contamination in the Coosa River Watershed

  • Liz Beaumont: Influences of Land Cover on Zooplankton Diversity and Community Structure in Central Alabama Ponds

Fleming also chaired a panel on Best Practices for Teaching Undergraduate GIS Courses, with Jordan Cissell, assistant professor of geography, serving as a panelist. The session was primarily aimed at early-career faculty teaching GIS for the first time.

“It is a highlight of my role as a professor to supervise these student research projects because I get to witness them apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout their entire undergraduate program to address real issues in their chosen fields of study,” said Fleming. “Each student put in a tremendous amount of hard work on these projects as they learned to navigate the scientific process of conceptualizing ideas, formulating hypotheses, conducting fieldwork, acquiring appropriate data, applying skills in geospatial and statistical analysis, and producing new insights about their topics."

Jordan Cissell and Fleming also presented collaborative research on study-away programs in the American Southwest, highlighting Samford’s innovative teaching approaches.

Samford geography’s participation at SEDAAG underscores the department’s dedication to academic growth and collaborative learning opportunities.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.