Thomas Craig
Assistant Professor of Geography and GIS
Biography
I am an assistant professor of geography and geographic information systems with the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. My teaching and research sit at the intersection of GIS pedagogy and applied spatial analysis.
Before entering higher education, I spent five years teaching high school social studies and have served as a reader for the Advanced Placement Human Geography Exam since 2017.
My teaching philosophy centers on spatial thinking as a transferable skill and the design of learning experiences that connect technical competency with geographic inquiry. My current research examines two themes: 1) introductory GIS course placement in undergraduate curricula and 2) the spatial distribution of international health care workers in the United States.
Before entering higher education, I spent five years teaching high school social studies and have served as a reader for the Advanced Placement Human Geography Exam since 2017.
My teaching philosophy centers on spatial thinking as a transferable skill and the design of learning experiences that connect technical competency with geographic inquiry. My current research examines two themes: 1) introductory GIS course placement in undergraduate curricula and 2) the spatial distribution of international health care workers in the United States.
Education
- B.S. with distinction in secondary education | Concordia University, Nebraska | 2006
- M.A. in geography | The University of Akron | 2008
- Ph.D. in geography | Oklahoma State University | 2018
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic Interests
Research Interests
- Geography and GIS education
- Interdisciplinary applied GIS
- Qualitative and quantitative methods
Academic Responsibilities
Current Courses
- GEOG 372: Introduction to GIS
- GEOG 473/573: GIS Data Creation and Integration
- GEOG 474/574: GIS Vector and Raster Modeling
- GEOG 476/576: Web GIS
Committees and Professional Memberships
- National Council for Geographic Education
- American Association of Geographers
- Great Plains and Rocky Mountains Division, American Association of Geographers
- Gamma Theta Upsilon Geography Honorary Society
Work Experience
- 2024-present, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences, ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ
- 2019-2024, Assistant Professor, Division of Liberal Arts, Mayville State University
- 2018-2019, Instructor, Division of Liberal Arts, Mayville State University
- 2013-2018, Graduate Teaching Assistant/Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Geography, Oklahoma State University
- 2008-2013, Social Studies Teacher, Sierra Lutheran High School, Carson City, Nevada
Research and Scholarly Work
Awards and Honors
- 2025, Karen McComish Interdisciplinary Research Award, SDSU College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- 2018, The Susan Shaull Medal for Excellence in Teaching Geography, Oklahoma State University
- 2017, Gail Hobbs Student Paper Award, Geography Education Specialty Group, AAG
- 2016, E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Grant for Research in Geographic Education, NCGE
- 2014, Robert and Lucy Fite Scholarship for Outstanding First-Year Doctoral Student, Oklahoma State University
- 2008, Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award – Master's Student, University of Akron
- 2007, Outstanding Graduate in Secondary Education, Concordia University Nebraska
Publications
Publications
- Craig, Thomas R. (2023). Personalization, Connections, and Place: A Personal Geography Artifact Project. In E.H. Fouberg and J.S. Smith (Eds.), Teaching Human Geography: Theories and Practice in Thinking Geographically (pp. 209-214). Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Craig, Thomas R. (2022). Florida's Amendment 2 and the 2020 Presidential Election. In R.H. Watrel et al. (Eds.), Atlas of the 2020 Elections (pp. 272-273). Rowman & Littlefield.
- Craig, Thomas R. and Thomas A. Wikle (2016). Perceptions and Practices: Employers, Educators and Students on GIS Internships. Transactions in GIS, 20, (6), 948-961.
Manuscripts Under Review/ In Progress
- Craig, Thomas R., Matthew Haffner and Jordan P. Brasher. Under review. Gateway or Gatekeeper? Introductory GIS Course Placement in Undergraduate Geography Programs. Journal of Geography in Higher Education.
- Craig, Thomas R. Whose Knowledge Counts? Participant-Driven Photo-Elicitation as Critical Method in Geography Classrooms. Book chapter submitted to Geography and Education: Concepts for reimagining research, policy and practice, Routledge.
- Craig, Thomas R. and Xiaozhou Ding. In preparation. Health Care Professional Shortage Areas and International Health Care Workers: A Spatial Analysis of South Dakota's Health Care Workforce.
Associated Areas
