Students in the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment have many opportunities to get involved, whether it be on campus or off campus, through Registered Student Organizations, Professional Organizations, and Internships.
The Geography Club is an independent student organization at Illinois State that allows all students with an interest in Geography to discuss issues and happenings relevant to the discipline. Several social functions occur each semester and members raise funds with bake sales and in other ways.
Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) is the international honor society in Geography. Founded in 1928 at Illinois State (then Illinois State Normal University), the society’s Alpha Chapter remains here. Each spring, students that meet the initiation requirements go through an induction ceremony and become GTU members.
The Geology Club is open to anyone who has an interest in geology, rocks, fossils or minerals. You do not have to be a Geology major or even a student at Illinois State University to attend meetings or participate in club activities. If you're interested in joining, contact one of the officers or come to a meeting.
Professional organizations help professionals network and stay informed about important events and discoveries in their field.
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) is a nonprofit scientific and educational society founded in 1904. For 100 years the AAG has contributed to the advancement of geography. Its members from more than 60 countries share interests in the theory, methods, and practice of geography, which they cultivate through the AAG's annual meeting, two scholarly journals (Annals of the Association of American Geographers and The Professional Geographer), and the monthly AAG Newsletter.
The Alliance maintains a strong grassroots organization of geographic educators from schools and universities, and participates in educational reform at the district, state, and national levels. IGA engages in an active program of pre-service and in-service teacher education, develops curriculum materials based on the National Geography Standards, and fosters public awareness of the importance of geography in our society.
The Illinois Geographical Society seeks to promote scientific research in geography, encourage better teaching of geography at all levels, diffuse geographic knowledge, and unify geographic interest in the state. Illinois Geographer (formerly Bulletin of the Illinois Geographical Society), the Society's peer-reviewed journal, appears twice yearly. Articles deal with all aspects of geography, including geographic education. IGS holds its annual meetings in the spring at various sites in the state. Typically this meeting stretches from Thursday night through Saturday morning and involves professional papers, workshops, food functions, and a field trip.
ILGISA brings together the GIS community of the State of Illinois through biannual conferences and the publication of Illinois GIS Notes.
The National Council for Geographic Education continues to both promote and celebrate geographic teaching and learning. Activities include conducting and gathering research, producing journals (Journal of Geography and The Geography Teacher) and other geography publications, developing curricular resources at the K-12 and University levels, providing professional development opportunities, and organizing an annual conference.
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with a growing membership of more than 26,000 individuals in 115 countries. GSA provides access to elements that are essential to the professional growth of earth scientists at all levels of expertise and from all sectors: academic, government, business, and industry. The Society unites thousands of earth scientists from every corner of the globe in a common purpose to study the mysteries of our planet (and beyond) and share scientific findings.
AGU galvanizes a community of Earth and space scientists that collaboratively advances and communicates science and its power to ensure a sustainable future.
Since its founding in 1917, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists has been a pillar of the worldwide scientific community. The original purpose of AAPG, to foster scientific research, to advance the science of geology, to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct, still guides the Association today.
The IGA seeks to advance the knowledge of groundwater resources in Illinois and functions exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Any person interested in the groundwater resources of Illinois can join the IGA. Our membership includes consulting engineers, geologists and other professionals; faculty and students from colleges and universities; the public; people from federal, state, county, and municipal agencies and organizations; and people from drilling companies and other industries with an interest in groundwater.
NGWA is a community of groundwater professionals working together to advance groundwater knowledge and the success of our members through education and outreach; advocacy; cooperation and information exchange; and enhancement of professional practices.
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers works to raise the quality of and emphasis on teaching the geosciences at all levels. We count among our members K-12 teachers and college and university faculty as well as educators working with the general public through outlets such as museums and science centers. NAGT's purpose is to foster improvement in the teaching of the Earth sciences at all levels of formal and informal instruction, to emphasize the cultural significance of the Earth sciences, and to disseminate knowledge in this field to the general public.
