Hello, I’m Henry, a senior undergraduate geography student at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I’ve always been drawn to maps since I was a kid – drawing them and looking at different globes and maps, etc. I was also really interested in ways people interact with and shape the spaces around them, which first sparked my interest in geography.  

I didn’t originally begin my studies at 51���� as a geography major. I started on a criminal justice path, then shifted to geology, before eventually finding my place in geography. I was especially drawn to human geography, and although a major requirement shift during my junior year led me to geography more broadly, the focus on people, place, space, and overall qualitative geography has remainedcentral to my academic interests.  

I found an internship opportunity through Victory Garden Initiative over the summer of 2025, where I worked as a farm intern. I assisted with urban agriculture projects that focused on food access, sustainability, and community engagement within the Harambee neighborhood. My work included supporting food production, participating in numerous community-based initiatives, and farming,which was so much fun.  

I am currently completing a service term with AmeriCorps as a Courthouse Navigator at the Milwaukee Justice Center. I provide individuals with legal information, help them navigate the court system, and fill and file some civil court documents. I think one of the main things I learned from this internship/service term so far is how to work with people of all backgrounds, which is something I think is so undervalued today, especially in a diverse city like Milwaukee. I’ve learned how geographic concepts play out in real world settings, particularly with access, equity, and community support.  

Working on urban agriculture and food insecurity helped me understand how space, land use, and neighborhood conditions shape food access and sustainability. My role as a Courthouse Navigator has shown me how physical location and institutional structures can either support or limit access to justice, and the ways in which equality gaps already exist with the system. Other little things I’velearned are how to farm in an urban environment and grow my own food; how to help organize events;different parts of the legal system; and professional skills, including communication, problem-solving, and overall adaptability.  

For geography students seeking internship opportunities, I recommend starting early. I really can’tstress this enough; the earlier the better! Also, not every opportunity will perfectly match your academic focus, but I think many experiences provide valuable, transferable skills. For example, I never imagined I would be doing the positions I’ve held, yet I’ve enjoyed every part of both. Being open to unexpected opportunities can lead to rewarding experiences and help you grow professionally and personally, as corny as it sounds.  

When applying for internships, some of the websites that I’ve had success with are , Milwaukee County’s website, and s website.  I also suggest reaching out to professors (something I should’ve done more of), attending department events, and networking with professionals in your field. People generally want to help, so it never hurts to ask. Additionally, don’t be afraid to follow up after submitting an application or reaching out to someone. Employers want you to show initiative, and enthusiasm makes the biggest difference. Finally, treat each experience as a chance to learn not just technical skills, but also how to work with others, adapt to new challenges, and discover what you’re truly passionate about. 

All the best, 

Henry  

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Jay Jensen (Master’s Student) 

Hello everyone, my name is Jay Jensen, and I am very excited to be a 51���� graduate student pursuing my MS in Geography specifically through the GIS track. I received a BS in Conservation and Environmental Science while obtaining a minor in Biological Science here at 51����. I also just completed the GIS certificate here last semester and will continue my studies in that field. A fun fact about me is that I swam competitively on the Division-1 Swim & Dive here in Milwaukee for five years! 

My most recent work experience was with the Electa Quinney Institute here at 51���� alongside the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District as a land management intern. Throughout this internship we completed a variety of field work tasks including tending to invasive species, planting natives, and creating trails. On top of those tasks, we researched indigenous methodology and furthermore, how to incorporate those ideologies into the physical work we performed in the field. By listening, connecting, and forming relationships with the land at the sites we worked on, we gained a larger understanding of what the land wants to be and could do our best to help guide it that way. Using concepts of Community Geography and Countermapping, we allowed fellow interns to create a communal collection of maps that represented the relationships formed with the land over the course of the internship.  

I would like to continue to research and explore options of using GIS as a platform for engagement that would allow for the expression of unique geographical ideologies within differentiating communities. I am very excited and thankful to be a part of the wonderful Geography department here! 

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Hello all, I’m Julianna, and I am excited to start my geography MA here at 51���� this semester! Prior to coming to 51����, in 2024, I earned my BA in anthropology from Colorado State University. While there, I worked for the Prison Agriculture Lab, studying how media publications portray women’s prison agriculture programs. This experience caused me to shift my career plans, and I knew geography was the way to do it.  

Dr. Kristin Sziarto is my advisor, and in my time here I plan to research reproductive justice in the Milwaukee area. This is something that I’m very passionate about, because even though I moved to Colorado for my undergrad, I’m actually from here!  

When I’m not in my office or at a coffee shop working, you can find me trying new pastries, looking for sea glass, and petting street cats. I look forward to developing my geographic knowledge and meeting everyone throughout my time here! 

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My name is Lacey Fever, and I am a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am also earning a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Over the past year and a half, I have been working on my thesis, “Geographic Analysis of Racial Disparities in Low Birth Weight in the United States,” under the guidance of Dr. Changshan Wu. My research examines the social, economic, and educational determinants of low birth weight disparities, particularly among Black infants in the United States. Using GIS, I analyze spatial patterns to better understand how social inequities contribute to adverse birth outcomes.   

I first became interested in GIS during my undergraduate studies at Illinois State University (ISU), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental System Sciences and Sustainability, minored in Geography and Water Sustainability, and obtained a GIS certificate. My interest in GIS deepened when I took “Regional and Area Studies: Geography of Chicago,” a course that involved a GIS-based project titled “A City and a Pandemic: A Geographic Analysis of the Impacts of COVID-19 on Chicago.” In this project, I created a map illustrating how different racial groups in Chicago were affected by COVID-19 in 2020. The findings revealed that the Latinx community experienced a disproportionate impact. Additionally, I collaborated with School District 87 to develop an asset map aimed at helping lower-income families locate free or affordable resources such as food, clothing, healthcare, and other essential services. These projects reinforced my passion for using GIS as a tool to address social injustices and improve community well-being.   

Currently, I am applying my GIS skills as a research assistant at Reflo, a nonprofit organization. My primary role involves updating a community resource map that highlights water and community assets throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Specifically, I have been focusing on the demographic component of the map, visualizing race, socioeconomic status, and educational attainment within Southeastern Wisconsin.  

My thesis, “Geographic Analysis of Racial Disparities in Low Birth Weight in the United States,” explores the relationship between race, median household income, and educational attainment concerning low birth weight outcomes. My research operates on two scales: county-level data across Wisconsin and a national analysis across all 50 states. My findings indicate that Milwaukee County – which has the highest Black population in Wisconsin – also has the highest rate of low birth weight among Black infants. Nationally, states such as Louisiana and Mississippi, which have some of the largest Black populations, also report the highest rates of low birth weight. These findings highlight significant racial disparities in birth outcomes, which I further examine through the lens of historical and structural inequities in public health.   

I am incredibly grateful for the guidance of Dr. Changshan Wu and the support of the geography faculty at 51����. As I approach the completion of my thesis, I look forward to the opportunities ahead and the chance to continue using GIS to address health disparities and promote social equity.   

Charles Brennan (Undergraduate) 

My name is Charles Brennan, and I am a senior studying Geography with a minor in GIS. I am from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and have been working in GIS for municipalities for the last few years. I am married with a two-year-old daughter, and I am expecting my second child later on this spring! 

How did you decide to study geography? 

My interest in geography stems from my time in the Navy. In the Navy, I created and plotted charts that aided the navigation of my ship. I was responsible for plotting safe transit routes from the open ocean to various ports, both foreign and domestic. When I transitioned out of the Navy, I wanted a career where I could still make maps and analyze data, and geography fulfills that for me. 

What was your favorite geographic topic or concept that you learned from the classes? 

My favorite geographic topic I learned about over the course of my classes would have to be cartographic principles. I love making maps, so learning the various elements that go into making proper maps really stood out to me. 

What jobs would you prefer to pursue after graduation (or what is your plan after graduation)? 

I currently work as a GIS specialist, so I would like to aim my career towards a GIS coordinator, manager, or administrator role. 

What is your strategy to keep work (study) and life balance? 

Working full-time while going to school and having a young family is definitely not easy. I have found that to be successful, I need routine. I set times in my schedule that I devote to studying, and times I spend with my family and doing other things I enjoy. Time management has been my biggest hurdle during my academic career. However, once I figured out time management, I saw big improvements in the three major parts of my life: Home, School, and Work. 

Nick Leverenz (Undergraduate) 

Hi, my name is Nick Leverenz, and I am a Geography student specializing in Geographic Information Science. I am a Milwaukee native, living in Shorewood my whole life. My parents grew up in the North Shore area and I have 3 older siblings that all live in Milwaukee as well. Knowing I always have family around the area is a comfortable feeling. 

How did you decide to study geography? 

As a senior in high school, I started to apply myself more academically, which was a little tricky since COVID was going on. During that time, I became interested in the environmental studies class my high school offered. My high school never really had general geography courses, making it more of a passion to learn it once I got into it. In my first year of college, I was undecided but took a couple of courses in geography, to see how I would like it. As time passed, I found myself very interested in geography, learning about physical and human geographical content stood out to me than any other subject I was looking into.   

What was your favorite geographic topic or concept that you learned from the classes? &�Բ�����;

Most geography courses I have taken have taught me something I will hold onto. I enjoy physical geography topics such as human-environment interactions. With a focus on GIS in my geography program, I like to apply mathematics to situations that involve geographical factors. I have always been gifted with mathematics and have always been interested in solving math problems. I enjoy the crossover of statistical analysis for geographical problems. 

What jobs would you prefer to pursue after graduation?

I would like to pursue jobs that work with geospatial technology, maybe start off with more hands-on fieldwork such as land surveying. Some sort of work on the field where I go out and obtain the data seems like a good start. I believe it will help me in the long run with GIS jobs in the future.  

What is your strategy to keep work (study) and life balance? 

I would say I am an organized person/student. I believe I have a good understanding of what my priorities are most of the time, focusing on the big things first, like school and work. I typically plan out my days for the week and figure out which days I can have more free time and days I spend more on my studies. Knowing other people’s schedules helps with this kind of agenda, too, making it easier to do my assignments when others are busy and then being able to socialize once I am free. Making sure I have enough free time to do something I like, such as playing games with friends or going out, is what drives me to be consistent with my schoolwork and work tasks to ensure I have time for myself or for others. 

Congratulations to Our December 2024 Graduates 

Geography Undergraduate  

• Michelle Schaeffer (BA) 
• Danny Lee (BA)  
• Alison Reinhoffer (GIS Minor) 
• Andre deMoya (Geography Minor) 

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