FROM GEOLOGY MAJOR TO MINOR--CHALLENGES AND REWARDS

Being the only full-time earth scientist in a comprehensive liberal-arts college presents both challenges and rewards.

The transition from teaching for a geology major to doing so mainly for a general-education core with a geology minor can involve appreciable changes. Adjustments may include revision of known disciplinary educational objectives, content and teaching strategies as well as looking for more divergent allies for achieving particular institutional goals. Yet these new circumstances also afford opening up to stimulating inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches on campus as well as opportunities for collaboration with researchers outside of campus.

Examples will be discussed of how the lone-ranger can move toward becoming an effective colleague.