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Welcome to my website! I am an Associate Professor of Geography in the Department of History and Political Science within the School of the Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences (AHESS) at York College of Pennsylvania ( YCP). My work centers on three areas: teaching, scholarship, and service. At the core of my academic philosophy is a long-standing commitment to student-centered teaching that empowers students to become active, critical, and analytical thinkers and develop their communication skills.

Teaching: 

I am dedicated to teaching students to become spatial thinkers. My core courses include:

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/ Geospatial Technology
  • Physical Geography (Environmental Systems & Coupled Physical-Human Systems)
  • Urban Land Use & Sustainability (Urban Geography)
  • GIS Internships & Independent Studies (Project-Based)

Research & Scholarship:

My research leverages applied GIS and spatial analysis to address real-world challenges. My current focus areas include: 

  • Applied GIS & Modeling: Mapping, visualizing, analyzing, and developing spatial solutions for real-world, local community-grounded issues.
  • Sustainability in Higher Education: Evaluating and assessing sustainability education programs across the U.S. and Asia
  • National Security & Intelligence Analysis: In collaborating with my colleague John Weaver and our Intelligence Analysis Students, I examined U.S. national security issues through a geographical (spatial) lens. Our research team has published six books recognized by the federal intelligence and homeland security community, with our seventh book in development.
  • Environmental & Urban Dynamics: Investigating climate impact and exploring downscaled mitigation and solutions; assessing risk and hazards vulnerability and urban microclimate.
    • Leading Mapping in York County/City (partnered with the YCP Center for Community Engagement)
    • Data Centers in South Central Pennsylvania
    • YCP Campus Tree Mapping (Urban Forestry) (partnered with the YCP Facilities Service)

Service & Leadership:

I actively contribute my expertise to academic societies, campus initiatives, and local community projects:

  • Campus & Institutional Leadership: From November 2019 to December 2023, I served as Chair of the YCP President’s Task Force for Campus Sustainability (PTFCS). In this role, I identified digital administration barriers and led regular campus sustainability initiatives annually to elevate campus-wide sustainability awareness and foster regional community partnerships. In recognition of these efforts, I was named a Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium (PERC) Campus Sustainability Champion in April 2023.
  • Professional Associations: A member of the American Association of Geographers (AAG) since 1997, I strongly advocate for the power of spatial perspectives in navigating modern global challenges. I served as President of the Pennsylvania Geographical Society (PGS) from 2017 to November 2023, served on the Editorial Board of the Asian Geographer Journal (2018-2023), and have held many leadership roles across several AAG Specialty Groups and in PGS capacities. 
  • Community Engagement: I frequently consult with regional organizations to build geo-databases and create digital StoryMaps for local organizations and communities. I also often serve as a key member of their public outreach and funding proposals. Notable collaborations include the York County Courthouse Self-Help Center and the Codorus Valley Area Historical Society (CVAHS). Additionally, I regularly deliver public presentations on downscaled climate impacts and localized actions for organizations such as the YWCA Hanover and the Lead Free Promise Committee. 

Student Opportunities:

I actively mentor motivated students who share a passion for GIS, spatial analysis, environmental problem-solving, and applied geography in national security research. 

If you are interested in joining my research team as a student research assistant, please reach out directly at jpomeroy@ycp.edu.