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 South Dakota State University. 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, South Dakota State University
- 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
