Affiliate Scholars

The CLUS strives to support Shippensburg University faculty research and interdisciplinary collaborations. As of Spring 2020, 14 faculty from departments and colleges across campus have engaged in high-quality research and scholarship. We support our scholars in the following ways:

  • Encourage collaboration and connect faculty to opportunities on and off campus
  • Grant support (including proposal development, administration, and reporting)
  • Highlight faculty research and achievements
  • Networking opportunities with academic and community partners
  • Fostering student-faculty research

The expertise of our 24 faculty scholars is wide-ranging, and we can offer consulting expertise in a variety of areas. Become an affiliate scholar, or contact us to learn more!

Alison Feeney, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.S. in History from University of Connecticut
B.S. in Geography from University of Connecticut
M.A. in Geography from Portland State University
Ph.D. in Geography from Michigan State University

I joined the Shippensburg faculty in 1998 with interests in applied mapping. I love Geography and mapping is a wonderful way to express the patterns and processes of the environment. While my traditional training and focus of research is in interactive multimedia, animated mapping and its application in education, I enjoy using current software to explore a range of cultural landscapes. I teach a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, including GIS, Cartography, Mapping Science, World Regional Geography, and the Geography of the United States and Canada. I have held several mapping and GIS positions where I created maps and conducted spatial analysis for both private and government agencies. This work experience is discussed in the technical courses to update students on their career options. I promote active learning styles and stresses the importance of technology in the classroom to strengthen students’ potential success in the ever-changing work place.

Allen Dieterich-Ward, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of History and Philosophy

B.A. from College of Wooster
M.A. from University of Michigan
Ph.D. from University of Michigan

I am a specialist in environmental, economic and urban history currently involved in community revitalization efforts in Shippensburg and throughout Pennsylvania. My book, Beyond Rust: Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Fate of Industrial America, was published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2016 and won the Arline Custer Memorial Award from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference. I am past president of the Pennsylvania Historical Association and serve on the boards of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Committee among others.

Claire Jantz, Ph.D. – Director

Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.A. in College Scholars from University of Tennessee
M.A. in Geography from University of Maryland
Ph.D. in Geography from University of Maryland

Dr. Claire Jantz is the Director of the CLUS. She has extensive expertise in land use and land cover change analysis and modeling, and interdisciplinary research. Dr. Jantz has particular expertise within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the Delaware River Basin, and the Delmarva Peninsula. She has participated in several collaborative research efforts funded by NASA, Maryland SeaGrant, NPS, and the William Penn Foundation.

Dorlisa Minnick, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Social Work & Gerontology

B.A. in Social Work from Shippensburg University
M.S.W. from S.U.N.Y. – Stony Brook
Ph.D. in Social Work from The Catholic University of America

Dr. Dorlisa Minnick believes social and environmental justice is inextricably tied together in order to build sustainable communities. She has experience in designing, implementing, and disseminating results from community assessments focused on the social environments of marginalized populations. She has co-led training to increase community organizing capacity of Science Festival Alliance membership in their efforts to make science accessible in their local communities.

  • Tel: 717-477-1785
  • Location: College of Education & Human Services

George Pomeroy, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

Ph.D. in Urban Studies from University of Akron
M.S. in Geography from Western Washington University
B.A. Ed. in Geography from Western Washington University

George Pomeroy is the Associate Director of the CLUS. He teaches courses and conducts research related to community and regional planning, as well as urban geography, focusing on both U.S. and comparative contexts. He was appointed as Director of Shippensburg University’s Center for Land Use in May 2005.

Ian Langella, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Department of Finance and Supply Chain

B.S. from Maine Maritime Academy
M.A. from University of Magdeburg
Ph.D. from University of Magdeburg

My research has two streams. The first, more aligned with my traditional modeling background, focuses on making supply chains more sustainable through more efficient product recovery management systems and examining environmental impact of logistics systems. The more broad stream seeks to identify and exploit opportunities for inter-disclilinary cross-functional research which examines the interface of two disciplines encouraging more cooperation and a seamless goal of unified sustainability and responsibility.

Jerry Carbo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Management

B.B.A. from Texas Christian University
M.I.L.R. from Cornell
J.D. from Dickinson School of Law
Ph.D. from Cornell ILR School

I have numerous publications in socially sustainable business systems. I am also currently working on the first textbook on Socially Sustainable Business Systems. I believe that sustainability must be fully integrated – focusing on people and the planet.

Joseph Zume, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.S. in Physics from the University of Jos, Nigeria
M.S. in Applied Geophysics from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zari, Nigeria
Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Oklahoma

I’m a water resources scientist, with expertise in hydrologic modeling, environmental geophysics, and analyses of hydroclimatic variability. My ongoing research evaluates the impacts of on-site sanitation on groundwater quality, as well as issues of climate-driven saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers.

Liz Fisher, Ph.D.

Professor, Social Work & Gerontology

B.A. in Social Work Millersville University
M.S.W. University of Maryland, Baltimore
Ph.D. Social Work University of Maryland, Baltimore

I devote most of my service time working with community members and social service providers to increase access to social services and youth programming in Shippensburg through the Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition: http://www.shipresources.org. This project provides a unique community-university partnership opportunity and encourages service learning opportunities and internships. My teaching and research interests include leadership in social services, community development, poverty, gender issues and social justice. I am particularly interested in transformational leadership and have published and provided training in this area. Whether I am training in a workshop or teaching in the classroom, I see my role as a facilitator of learning and work to actively engage participants. I also utilize as much service learning as possible to help students apply what they are learning while giving back to the community. I am passionate about social work and social justice and helping students develop critical thinking skills to use a systems perspective when thinking about social work services.

Michael Moltz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science

B.A. in Political Science from University of Nevada, Reno
M.Ed. from University of Nevada, Reno
Ph.D. in Political Science from University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Dr. Moltz was one of the first graduates of the University of Nevada’s undergraduate renewable energy program and is an NSF EPSCoR research award recipient for research into alternative energy policy. Among Dr. Moltz’s teaching responsibilities at Shippensburg University, he teaches a course in Energy Policy and Administration. Additionally, he is affiliated with the Nevada Institute for Sustainability, with which he teaches online graduate courses in alternative energy policy.

Nathan Thomas, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Biology

B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D. from University of South Dakota

Dr. Thomas’ research is focused on the physiological aspects of vertebrate organisms, including habitat use. Research from this field has become more sought after by wildlife managers and government agencies in the face of global climate change and will continue to be an invaluable asset as changes to current climate patterns are altered in the coming years.

Paul Marr, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.A. in Anthropology from University of North Texas
M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from University of North Texas
Ph.D. in Geography from University of Denver

My interests include historical geography, statistical techniques for spatial sciences, and spatial analyses of historical data. Additionally, I have archaeological and field equipment (e.g. surveying, GPR/EM, GPS) training. Internationally my area of interest is northern Chile. Some of my current research includes archaic rhyolite quarry sites on South Mountain, Chilean altiplano wetlands, and colonial period archaeological work at Camp Security (York, PA) and Fort McCord (Edenville, PA).

Russell Hedberg, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.A. in History from University of Michigan
M.S. and Ph.D in Geography from Penn State University

Russell (Russ) Hedberg is a broadly trained environmental geographer whose research and teaching focus on human-environment systems and sustainability. Russ has particular interests in agroecology and sustainable food systems, with specializations in soil biogeochemistry and local food systems. His current research has three foci: examining how social dynamics in local food systems influence farmer environmental practices, assessing how soil management practices on farms affect soil carbon and phosphorus cycles and fertility, and building regional nutrient recycling systems. Dr. Hedberg also maintains an interest in the Andean regions of South America, where he studied tree line forest cover change in 2012.

Sara Grove, Ph.D., J.D.

Professor, Political Science

B.A. with Honors in Political Science, The Pennsylvania State University
M.A. in Political Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D. in Political Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
J.D., The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University

Public policy needs to be informed by unbiased and holistic research. Over the past decade, I have worked on projects for The Center for Rural Pennsylvania that have followed these principles. With Dr. Michael Moltz, we examined legislation and regulation directed toward invasive species prevention, control, and eradication. Dr. Niel Brasher and I conducted a study about the role of rural public libraries in providing a broad array of services in their communities.

Scott Drzyzga, Ph.D., GISP

Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Sciences

B.A. in Geography from State University of New York at Geneseo
M.A. in Geography from Michigan State University
Ph.D. in Geography from Michigan State University

Dr. Drzyzga is the GIScience Director for the CLUS. He is an experienced specialist in geographic information science and technology, is a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP). Scott is also a certified Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot that uses small drones to collect aerial photography.

Sean Cornell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Geography-Earth Science

Project Lead: InTeGrate

B.S. from University of Rochester
M.S. from University of Cincinnati
Ph.D. from University of Cincinnati

I teach courses in Geology, Oceanography, and related fields where my specialty is focused on coastal processes and sea-level rise hazards. I am a faculty researcher at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station and routinely involve students in sustainability projects working on environmental restoration of shorelines in coastal areas. Here on campus, I am actively involved in the Campus Community Farm and have been working on sustainability projects with students to support education and community-outreach.

Shishir Shakya, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Economics

M.A. from West Virginia University
Ph.D. from West Virginia University

I am an applied economist. My research includes health and public/regional economics. My primary works focus on the scope of practice laws, nurse practitioners, opioid prescription, and overdosage. I also study entrepreneurship, energy economics, and education economics.

Steven Burg, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of History and Philosophy

B.A. from Colgate University
M.A. from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison

I am a specialist in public history, historic preservation, and community history, with an interest in how the preservation and interpretation of cultural and natural resources influences historical memory and public perceptions of the past. I am also interested in the role historic preservation can play in building sustainable communities. My current research focuses on the historical development and preservation of African-American burial grounds in Pennsylvania. I currently serve as an appointed member of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Board.

Steven Dolbin

Professor, Art and Design

B.A. from Shippensburg State College
Art Education K-12 Certification from Kutztown State College
M.F.A. from Pratt Institute

Professor Dolbin received his M.F.A. from Pratt Institute, an internationally recognized sculptor, environmental artist, performance artist and published art educator he has exhibited his work throughout the United States and Britain. Dolbin is the recipient of numerous awards such as the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Grant. His work is included in numerous private and public collections and is featured in the seminal textbook in the field of sculpture “Shaping Space by Zelanski and Fisher. The work of his sculpture and three dimensional design students is featured in the most noted textbook on design in the world “Principle and Problems” by the same authors. Articles concerning his work have appeared in The New York Times, Sculpture Magazine and others. Steve has taught at institutions such as The University of Connecticut, The University of Massachusetts, Pratt Institute and Amherst College. Along with his advanced degree from Pratt Institute, Professor Dolbin’s education includes independent study at the Pennsylvania academy of Fine Arts, The Art Student’s league of New York and the Rhode Island School of Design. Steve is currently a Full Professor and the former Chairperson of the Department of Art & Design at Shippensburg University. Although American, Professor Dolbin was recently elected to the Royal Society of British Sculptors. In 2016 his work was exhibited in the Henry Moore Gallery of The Royal College Of Art In London. His most recent Solo Exhibition of 2017 was held at the Hillyer Art Space in Washington DC.

Steven Haase, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology

B.S. from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
M.S. from University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin, Madison

I have applied my background in experimental, cognitive, and perceptual psychology to the interdisciplinary problem of sustainability. Along with several colleagues in the College of Business, we have published research on socially sustainable systems and are in the process of writing a book that has been accepted for publication on socially sustainable business practices.

Tim Hawkins, Ph.D.

Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Geography-Earth Science

B.A. from Colgate University
M.S. from Arizona State University
Ph.D. from Arizona State University

My research focus is hydroclimatology. Specifically, focus on future streamflow and watershed-wide hydrologic conditions in a changing climate. I also dabble in urban climatology.

Ying Yang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Ph.D. in Sociology from University of South Carolina

Dr. Yang is interested in studying housing inequality across different racial and ethnic groups. Recently, Dr. Yang started research on housing accessibility issues and how they differ in different communities (metro areas vs. rural areas). Dr. Yang specializes in quantitative data analysis and supports CLUS survey efforts.