Brian Embley

B.S. in Environmental Planning from Rutgers U.
embley@rowan.edu
856.256.4811

Brian is a Geospatial Solution Architect with 25 years of experience in spatially enabling enterprises in state and local government, NGOs, aviation facilities and utilities. He specializes in applying the principles of enterprise architecture in the design and management of systems in multi-user, distributed environments leveraging the ArcGIS Platform. After positions with Esri, The Nature Conservancy, Civil Solutions & Michael Baker, Brian rejoined the NJ Office of GIS in late 2017 where he manages the Web GIS and Solution teams. In addition, Brian teaches at Rowan University and is a part-time member of the Arora Engineering GIS group.

Bryce Carmichael

M.A. in Geography from East Carolina U.
carmichaelb@rowan.edu
215.565.6186

Bryce Carmichael is a proud graduate of Elizabeth City State University, majoring in Computer Science. His interest in geospatial technology and environmental research led him to East Carolina University, where he received a M.A. in Geography. Prior to joining the department, Bryce worked as technology teacher for the Trenton Public Schools, and has served as an adjunct professor for both Rutgers University and Burlington County Community College.

Robby Fergus

Ph.D. in Geography and the Environment from the U. of Texas at Austin
fergus@rowan.edu

Dr. Fergus studies the interactions between humans, birds, and the environment. He was the founding director of the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory in Austin, Texas and the first Executive Director of the Travis Audubon Society and a former Senior Scientist for Audubon. He studies how to make cities good for birds and people, as well as how birds are incorporated into non-Western societies—including work with speakers of nine different Mayan languages in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. For Dr. Fergus, geography is exploring—and he loves exploring the wide range of cultural, culinary, and natural worlds with his students.

Richard P Ferrigno

MUEP from the U. of Virginia
ferrigno2@rowan.edu

Mr. Ferrigno is an adjunct professor for the Department of Geography teaching GIS courses in Applications of GIS and Geospatial Modeling since 2016. Rich earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Richard Stockton University. He has over ten years of practical GIS experience in the fields of urban planning and emergency management, including his current role as Regional Geospatial Coordinator for FEMA Region III.

Paul Hanley

Professor Hanley's teaching style weaves together the interplay between the human and natural world in a way which is both engaging and relevant to students. He is experienced in diverse aspects of sustainability, such as energy efficiency and natural resource issues, air pollution and climate, health & wellness, food & nutrition, and green living. He also writes extensively on a variety of sustainability and environmental matters. His teaching style is dynamic, interactive and passionate. 

Articles: Shale Gas Remains Controversial and Abundant Energy Source; Sustainability Is the Answer… but What Was the Question?; The Black Run Preserve: A Suburban Pinelands Oasis

Paul Hanley's Health and Wellness Article Series

Hannah Jacobson

M.A. in Geography from U. of Delaware
jacobsonh@rowan.edu

Hannah Jacobson is currently a Transportation GIS Analyst with NJ Transit, and has been teaching Intro to Mapping and GIS for Rowan University for the past 3 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Rowan University and her M.A. in Geography from the University of Delaware. In the past she worked as the Environmental Intern Advisor for the New Jersey Army National Guard. ​

Jacquelyn Kyle

M.A. in Geography from U. of Mississippi
kyle@rowan.edu

Jacquelyn Kyle is an anthropologist who teaches Cultural Geography as an adjunct at Rowan University. She is especially interested in ritual and religion, and earned her M.A. from the University of Mississippi. Outside of Rowan, she teaches anthropology and sociology courses at three other colleges and universities in the tri-state area.

Andrew Levecchia

While at Rutgers University, Mr. Levecchia was awarded a fellowship from the Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and studied land use and urban planning in the City of Camden. Andrew earned a Bachelor’s in Geography from Rowan University and has returned as an adjunct faculty member in the Geography Department. Andrew holds a Professional Planners license from the State of NJ and has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2011.

Naomi B Levecchia

M.M. in Music from U. of North Texas; J.D. from Rutgers School of Law
levecchian@rowan.edu 

Naomi is in her second year of teaching Cultural Geography at Rowan. Previously, she has taught students culture and language in grades 1-12 for more than ten years.

Robert Lewandowski

Rob Lewandowski teaches Political Geography at Rowan University and works on economic development and labor issues for the New Jersey Laborers’ – Employers’ Cooperation and Education Trust (NJ LECET). Rob received his Masters in Government Administration at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government where he was a Samuel Fels Fellow. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Rowan University where he received his graduating class’ Outstanding Senior Award. His service to his alma mater also includes serving as president of the Rowan University Alumni Association and as a member of the university’s foundation board. A 2010 LeadNJ fellow, Rob is deeply involved in civic and government affairs. He currently serves on the Collingswood Board of Education and previously served on its planning board.

Judy Okun

M.A. from NYU 1990 in Environmental Conservation; M.A from Villanova U. in 2011 in History
okun@rowan.edu
856.256.4811
Robinson Hall 315
Curriculum Vitae
Fall Office Hours—via email

Judy Okun’s interest in geography began with many cross-country road trips taken to the American West and our national parks. That has led to graduate school and a combined interest in the environment, geography and history, and how the three intersect. Prof. Okun’s main areas of interest are in the Ice Age and human migration, environmental issues of the American Southwest, geography of language, and world trade connections and logistics.

Christopher Pollard

B.A. in Geography from Kutztown University
pollardc@rowan.edu
856.256.4811

Christopher Pollard teaches Introduction to Mapping and GIS and Cartography (online) courses at Rowan. An adjunct professor at Rowan since the Fall 2012, he brings over 19 years of real world GIS and cartographic experience from his role as Manager of Geospatial Application Development at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (Greater Philadelphia’s MPO). Christopher is passionate about all aspects of geospatial technology, which includes producing high-quality cartographic products, teaching young minds about spatial awareness and thinking, and creating interactive maps and data visualization. He remains dedicated to finding the best solutions to educate the public about regional, environmental, and transportation planning within the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Christa Pullion

Professor Pullion teaches Environmental and Human Geography courses at Rowan. She has been passionate about cultures, languages and the environment since she was very young. She majored in Global Studies and International Politics and then went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Christa is bilingual, having grown up speaking German and English. In addition to Geography, she teaches History and German courses at the college level. She is very involved in both leadership and scoring of the Praxis Exams, AP Exams and SATs. Christa loves traveling to learn about new countries and cultures, bringing the experiences into her classroom. Christa Pullion truly enjoys teaching and can be described as dedicated and enthusiastic.

Wayne Zanni

Mr. Zanni is a career educator and a Geography aficionado. He has taught students from remedial to gifted levels, of all ages from elementary to adult. That tenure includes teaching Geography, History, English, Reading, and Legislative-bill writing. Additional experience includes testing coordinator; summer-school testing director; and assistant varsity coach for high school baseball, softball, and basketball. After completing more than twenty years of public school educating, Mr. Zanni performed volunteer construction work in Latin America. Soon after, he relocated his geo-devotion to the classrooms of several southern New Jersey community colleges. He is working with federal and state legislators for the New Jersey Geographic Alliance in his roles as Chair of the Advisory Board and Director of Policy Planning for the promotion of teaching geography as a stand-alone full-year course in New Jersey’s public schools. Every semester since fall 2008, Mr. Zanni has been sharing his understanding of how the natural and cultural landscape of the World shape our lives through various human geography courses at Rowan.

Paul D. Caris

Ph.D. from Rutgers University in Geography

Paul Caris is a geographer (Ph.D., Rutgers University) who has been working in the GIS field for nearly thirty years. Before retiring from state service in 2017, he worked as a GIS Specialist at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, in the Bureau of GIS. He has also worked as a planner for Hudson County and Middlesex County. Though semi-retired, he continues to work part-time at Hopeworks, and also teaches geography as an adjunct at Community College of Philadelphia and Rowan University.

Originally from upstate New York, near Rochester, Paul has lived in New Jersey since 1986.