Geography and Planning Department changes name

To represent a growing commitment to sustainability, the Geography and Planning Department at Grand Valley has officially changed its name to Geography and Sustainable Planning.

"The name change is driven by our curriculum development and very strong commitment to sustainability, which is very prominent in the content of all geography, and urban and regional planning courses that we offer," said Elena Lioubimtseva, department chair.

To celebrate the department's new direction, there will be an open house Tuesday, March 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Kirkhof Center's Pere Marquette Room (room 2204). The event will provide attendees with a glimpse into educational and career opportunities in geography, sustainability science, global development, and environmental and urban planning.

George Heartwell, community sustainability coordinator for the Office of Sustainability Practices in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, will serve as guest speaker for the event. For more information about the open house, visit gvsu.edu/geography or call (616) 331-3065.

The department currently offers a geography major and minor, a minor in geographic techniques, and certification opportunities in sustainable urban and regional planning, and geographic information systems. Lioubimsteva said that of the 39 courses offered, 26 have a significant focus on environmental sustainability, sustainable development, or sustainable urban and regional planning.

"With this new direction, students will be much more confident and aware of their expertise in sustainability," Lioubimsteva said. "Geographic techniques and urban and regional planning are among the fastest growing employment sectors in the U.S., and we want our students to be not only successful, but also committed to making the world a better place."

For the newly christened Geography and Sustainable Planning Department, making the world a better place begins in West Michigan through the Engaged Department Initiative. The department is one of three at Grand Valley leading the initiative in collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College and Aquinas College. The other Grand Valley departments include anthropology and hospitality and tourism management.

The goal of the program is to integrate challenging community-based experiences into the departments' respective curriculums by collaborating with community partners, such as West Michigan Environmental Action Council, West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Grand Rapids Public Schools, among others.

"Community engagement is a very important component of our program, which includes students volunteering, and participating in service learning, community-based teaching, and community-based research," Lioubimsteva said.