WHO WE ARE
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) brings together members of the global geographic community
We provide students, educators, practitioners, and partners with the resources they need to enter the field, develop their careers, and form professional friendships that can last a lifetime. Through annual and ongoing programs, events, and meetings, we aim to create a space in which all geographers—wherever they come from—will know they are valued, heard, and welcomed.
By taking care of our community we ensure the health and vitality of the geographic discipline as it evolves to meet the challenges faced in today’s world.
We are currently working from a strategic plan that advances the objectives of the AAG long-range plan (2015–2025), focused on three strategic core areas — geography as a discipline, world-class membership services, and strengthening AAG as a society. Read our strategic plan
WHAT WE OFFER
A community with resources and connections at its fingertips
An AAG membership is your link to the foremost networking events, publications, and career-development resources in the field of geography. Memberships allow students, educators, and practitioners of geography to:
SEEK
Apply for exclusive grants to support research, fieldwork, and teaching.
CONNECT
Join active Specialty and Affinity Groups dedicated to particular branches of geography, where colleagues can network and stay on top of the latest research.
GROW
Take part in AAG’s public policy outreach efforts, advocacy work, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
WHY IT MATTERS
Geography is more than measuring the length of rivers and the height of mountains
It is the study of the complex, unfolding relationships between people and the land they live on. With background knowledge grounded in the sciences, ethics, history, and the humanities, geographers go beyond mere cataloging and seek to understand the places and spaces we inhabit–in order to make them more just and equitable.
We are here to serve the global geographic community. That is why we support the advocacy efforts of geographers everywhere, as they use their knowledge to make our world a better place to live.
ADVOCACY AND POLICY
HOW YOU CAN HELP
By supporting AAG, you can help us make and sustain the connections that keep geography active, relevant, and engaged…
…and help yourself by developing a deeper relationship to the field. Sharing our information with friends and colleagues, making a one-time or recurring donation, or taking advantage of our many sponsorship opportunities are all ways to make a difference to our work and on behalf of the discipline and geographers.
LEADERSHIP
A note from our executive director
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) is uniquely positioned to represent the discipline and profession of geography. For more than 100 years, AAG has served academic and professional geographers and provided a crucial connection point among academia, government, and business. In an era of climate change, rising nationalism and social inequity, geography is more important than ever before. Yet, our profession is at risk from many directions: from challenges to its relevance within universities, professional challenges from other disciplines in business and government, and lack of diversity and inclusion, among other issues. At the threshold of these challenges, AAG foresees emerging opportunities to elevate its role, effectiveness, and efficiency in serving and supporting its members.
AAG foresees emerging opportunities to elevate its role and effectiveness in serving and supporting its members.
This strategic plan, approved by the AAG Council on April 7, 2020, was developed to advance the objectives of the long-range plan (2015 – 2025), by identifying the most urgent and achievable strategic priorities for AAG during the next three years. This strategic plan translates key elements of the long-term plan into three strategic core areas — geography as a discipline, world-class membership services, and strengthening AAG as a society — each with specific programs to inform tactical actions that can achieve measurable results.
AAG Staff
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Mikelle Benfield
Mikelle Benfield:
Program Assistant
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Jennifer Cassidento
Jennifer Cassidento:
Publications Director
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Brenda DeVaughn
Brenda DeVaughn:
Accounting Finance Manager
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Coline Dony
Coline Dony:
Senior Geography Researcher
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Colleen Dougherty
Colleen Dougherty:
IT Director
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Emily Fekete
Emily Fekete:
Community Manager
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Liza Giebel
Liza Giebel:
IT Support Specialist
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Julie Ische
Julie Ische:
Director of Development
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Gary Langham
Gary Langham:
Executive Director
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Oscar Larson
Oscar Larson :
Director of AAG Meetings
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Michelle Ledoux
Michelle Ledoux:
Director of Membership Operations
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Candida Mannozzi
Candida Mannozzi:
Chief Operating Officer
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Teri Martin
Teri Martin:
Director of Finance and Accounting
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Eddie McInerney
Eddie McInerney:
Policy Program Assistant
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Amanda McKnight
Amanda McKnight:
Chief Program Officer
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Julaiti Nilupaer
Julaiti Nilupaer:
Research Assistant
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Becky Pendergast
Becky Pendergast:
Director of Design and Digital Platforms
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Mark Revell
Mark Revell:
Manager, Career Programs and Disciplinary Research
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Lisa Schamess
Lisa Schamess:
Director of Communications
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Elin Thorlund
Elin Thorlund:
AAG Events Manager
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Jill Treby
Jill Treby:
Chief of Staff
Opportunities at AAG
Director of Advocacy and Engagement
This key position provides strategic leadership to advance the AAG’s Strategic Plan and the JEDI Strategic Plan. The Director will lead the Elevate the Discipline Program, which will provide members with advocacy and media training and opportunities to connect their academic work to non-academic audiences. Working collaboratively across the association, the Director will also determine and promote the AAG’s public policy priorities at the federal, state, and local levels. This position will serve as a leader, strategic partner, and champion for advocacy by leveraging deep subject matter expertise and by keeping abreast of key issues and best advocacy and engagement practices. The position requires strong project management skills including research, planning, organizing, developing, and participating in and/or leading cross cultural/functional teams. In addition, this role requires collaboration and experience in problem solving with a balance of empathy and pragmatism and someone who is a team player and leads by example to build trust and credibility. This position will report to the Chief Program Officer.
This hybrid position requires at least one week/month at AAG headquarters in Washington, DC. Due to the important nature of this position, location in the Washington, DC, metro area is not required, but strongly preferred.
Learn more about the responsibilities and qualifications and apply now
Internships
The AAG seeks interns on a year-round basis for the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Interns participate in most AAG programs and projects such as education, outreach, research, website, publications, or the Annual Meeting. The AAG also arranges for interns to accompany different AAG staff on visits to related organizations or events of interest during the course of their internship. A monthly stipend of $700 is provided and interns are expected to make their own housing and related logistical arrangements. Enrollment in a Geography or closely related program is preferred but not a prerequisite for these opportunities.
Applicants should send via email a resume, brief writing sample, and contact information (i.e., telephone number and email) to three references to Amanda McKnight. For questions, call 202-234-1450.
Terms and application deadlines:
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: March 1
- Fall: August 1
HOW WE OPERATE
The American Association of Geographers is governed by the AAG Council
An elected body composed of more than 300 volunteer members. Click below to find out more about our governance structure, and read the AAG Constitution.
GovernanceWHAT WE’RE UP TO
Surfacing stories within the AAG community is one of the most meaningful things that we do—and we’re glad to share the latest with you
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