Councilor – Ginny Peterson

Ginny Peterson is a Professor and former Head of the Geology Department at Grand Valley State University.  She has served as a GeoCUR Councilor for many years and is currently serving as Division Chair.

“My own experience as an undergraduate researcher was transformative for me and I greatly enjoy and value the opportunity to serve in the role of mentor/collaborator to undergraduate scientists. Throughout my academic career I have been persistent in mentoring dozens of undergraduate research students in both collaborative (REU) and individual projects. Both my students and I benefit significantly from doing science together and it has served to enhance my passion as an educator and scientist. I have been a faculty member at two different Primarily Undergraduate Institutions and recently served 6 years as the head of the Geology Department at GVSU.  I have taken a leadership role at both institutions in departmental curricular revision, with an aim to better integrate development of research skills across the curriculum.  In addition to my work with CUR, I currently serve as a facilitator for the NAGT Traveling Workshop Program; facilitating department level discussions, action planning and assessment.  I have also served as external evaluator for other geosciences departments.”