New Department of Earth, Environment and Planning prioritizes environment, communities

New Department of Earth, Environment and Planning prioritizes environment, communities

"It provides greater opportunity for faculty to work together in combined disciplinary backgrounds to address problems and challenges that have a real impact in eastern North Carolina," he said. "That is one thing that the two separate units have been focused on in recent years: trying to do research that is meaningful and regionally relevant."

Dr. Eric Horsman, associate professor and former interim chair of geological sciences, said, "Prior to the merger, many of us pursued our teaching and research separately from those in other departments and programs. The process of merging has involved extensive discussions about the work we all do. Consequently, we've started to recognize opportunities for new connections, collaborations and development. Everyone will benefit because our work is inherently interdisciplinary and we're actively fostering those ties."

There is also an overlap in the different curricular programs for students.

"Students will be more aware of the varied opportunities they have to study issues at the intersection of the environment, society and sustainability," Popke said.

"Students benefit in many ways," Horsman said. "Benefits include things like the new bachelor's degree program in environmental studies, a rapidly growing major that is led by folks in EEP and is built on the complementary nature of our disciplines."

"Similarly, we are providing new opportunities for students in all our degree programs that allow them to develop a richer understanding of what they are studying and its societal significance," he said. "All of this prepares students for 21st-century jobs in eastern North Carolina (and worldwide) that directly benefit society."

Students will also gain experiences and activities through their degree programs.

"Hands-on experiential learning is something we emphasize across all our degree programs. I think those will now come together, and we will be able to share those opportunities more broadly with students." Popke said.

"If a student chooses a major in our department, they are going to work closely with the faculty," he said. "Your professors are going to get to know you, and you will have a lot of opportunities to get involved in hands-on research and develop career readiness through internships and other experiential learning opportunities."

Other opportunities for students to acquire the skills needed to be successful in the future include undergraduate research opportunities working with faculty on honors projects, independent study projects, Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity awards, and capstone experiences.

Geography Undergraduate Student Samuel McCormack

"The merging of the departments will keep the university competitive within both the UNC system and universities across the nation," said Samuel McCormack, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in community and regional planning, a Bachelor of Science in geography, and a certificate in geographic information science and technology. "By combining these departments, students will have more access to competitive grant funding and alumni support, which will benefit both students and the university."

McCormack is a member of ECU's Student Planners Action Network, the International Geographical Honor Society Gamma Theta Upsilon, and he is co-founder and vice president of the state's first student chapter of the North Carolina Association of Floodplain Managers. Additionally, he is the ECU Student Government Association director of external affairs, through which he said he hopes to work with ECU officials and the City of Greenville to promote meaningful partnerships.

"The students in this program are enthusiastic to bring meaningful change to eastern North Carolina, and our program focuses on innovative research on how to prepare communities for our ever-evolving landscape," he said.

As a student, McCormack has participated in numerous opportunities to gain the skills necessary for a successful future.

He has conducted research with Dr. Steven Richter, assistant professor. He completed a geographic information science internship at the Montgomery Botanical Center in Coral Gables, Florida, a unique internship supported by distinguished alumnus Lyman Dickerson '66, and he has interned with the community planning team at Stewart in Raleigh. He has assisted ECU's electrical team in mapping key infrastructure points to modernize their team's work. In the fall, McCormack will work under the supervision of Dr. Misun Hur, associate professor, and research associate Rob Howard, to continue to investigate conditions of the workforce housing market in Dare County.

Additionally, McCormack has completed a 12-page report documenting the current conditions and future projections of housing metrics, population trends and economic markers in Currituck County, and he helped investigate the need for transportation improvements to the 10th Street corridor in Greenville.

"Research plays a pivotal role in the department," McCormack said. "The community and regional planning program heavily encourages students to get involved in research and internship opportunities, which have allowed me to get professional experience in the private, public and academic sectors. Research experience, alongside courses that are taught by practicing planners, has allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the planning field and learn innovative solutions that can benefit eastern North Carolina and beyond."

After graduating, McCormack intends to continue working at Stewart as a community planner. Further in the future, he hopes to use the knowledge he gained from ECU to open a consulting firm focused on providing innovative data-driven research to communities across the nation.

"The department has opened a plethora of doors for me. I have been able to create a meaningful portfolio that I can bring into the professional world," he said.

Geological Sciences Graduate Student Giuliana Roccisano

"I think the merger has a lot of potential. With the way the climate crisis and both geology and geography fields are evolving, bringing faculty together can make interdisciplinary collaboration more accessible for students," said Giuliana Roccisano '23, an ECU alumna (BS in geology) now pursuing her Master of Science in geology with an emphasis in geoscience education.

"I appreciate the freedom I have been given to shape my thesis question and choose how I wanted to approach and analyze it. I know that kind of autonomy isn't always common, so I'm very grateful for it," she said. "I wish I had known earlier that I could take courses in human or socio-geography. I think future students will benefit from having those connections more readily available."

Roccisano decided to continue her education at ECU after the university received a $7.5 million National Science Foundation-funded grant that supports research in the geosciences. Although the grant was defunded, Roccisano said the department has been incredibly supportive in helping students who were on the grant to secure teaching assistant positions.

"I'm continuing work on my thesis, 'From Spark to STEM Identity: Exploring the Origins of Geoscience Interest Across Diverse Learning Environments,'" said Roccisano, who predominantly works under the mentorship of Dr. Adriana Heimann-Rios, associate professor.

"My research explores how different educational settings (formal, informal and nonformal) affect student interest, excitement and perception of geoscience," she said. "The goal is to identify which environments most effectively generate positive engagement and support the development of a geoscience identity, especially among students from underrepresented backgrounds."

"Because my research is rooted in socio-geoscience, I've had the chance to connect with people not only in geoscience education but also in sociology and psychology. Presenting at conferences and navigating the challenges of research design has helped me better understand my own interests and values within the field. It's also helped me build professional relationships with faculty and researchers who may help me find job opportunities after graduation," she said.

Roccisano has been very involved in organizations and geology events. With support from several earth, environment and planning professors, she founded Planet ECU, a student organization that creates a space for geology students to connect, network and promote science communication to help non-majors learn more about the field.

After completing her degree, Roccisano said she would love to find a full-time teaching position at a community college, or to work in a leadership role at a science museum. She said, alternatively, she may choose to continue her education and seek a doctoral degree.

Geography Undergraduate Justin Mercaldo

"I feel very confident that students will benefit from the merger of these two departments," said Justin Mercaldo, who is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in applied atmospheric science with a minor in math and a certificate in geographic information science and technology.

"It will provide more opportunities for collaboration between students," he said. "It will also allow students to expand their knowledge of topics closely related to their degree."

Mercaldo said he is appreciative of the department's faculty and getting to pursue his passion.

"I get to hang out with a lot of familiar faces, and I feel comfortable asking for help whenever needed," he said. "The professors in the department are spectacular; they are willing to go above and beyond for the success of their students. Plus, the topic of my degree (weather) is truly what I love."

Mercaldo is a member of the International Geographical Honor Society Gamma Theta Upsilon and is a past president of the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society, which is open to any ECU student interested in weather, climate or geography. After completing his degree, Mercaldo plans to further his education through graduate school.

"Change is not always easy, but it is essential to our progress," said Danell. "What hasn't changed is the dedication and talent of the folks who have come from two departments into the new Department of Earth, Environment and Planning. What's new is the exciting and innovative environment they have created - one focused on something vital to us all - the future of our planet."

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