Background

Susan grew up on a ranch south of Gillette, Wyoming. She attended small, rural schools through the 8th grade. She attended High School in Gillette and graduated in 1978. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. She graduated with a B.S. in Communication in 1982. She earned an M.A. in Communication from the University of Wyoming in 1984. Her thesis considered how personal expectations can positively or negatively influence organizational climates. In 2002, Susan earned her Ph.D. in Geography from Texas A&M University. Her dissertation examined four rural coastal communities in Texas. Her research showed how the communities both cooperate and compete for control of the local environment near the San Antonio Bay. Vitae

Fall 2006 courses

GEOG 120-001: Environment and Culture

EVST 498-001: Senior Capstone

Environmental Studies Minor Worksheet

 

Director's Vita

Teaching and Advising Experience

• Susan is currently the Environmental Studies Program Director at Montana State University-Billings; She is also an assistant professor of Geography. She actively advises all of her Environmental Studies students as well as leads a Community Advisor Board and Faculty Advisor Board. She currently sits on three different university committees.

• She taught previously as a lecturer for over 17 years at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The school enrolls over 45,000 students. She served as a departmental advisor for over ten years.

Environmental Research

Among the various projects with which she has been involved, Susan has worked on research projects that examined:

• environmental ethics training as a means of mediating environmental conflict

• community based initiatives as a means of addressing toxic waste disposal

• grass-roots organizations in areas where environmental contaminations are suspected of causing birth defects

• combined scientific and local community advisory boards as environmental planning agencies

International Experience

Susan's international experiences include: teaching in mainland China, Italy and France. She has traveled to more than 20 countries, including Greece, Croatia and Indonesia.

Spring Office Hours

Mon: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.   

Tues: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:00-2:30 p.m.

Wed: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Contact: (406) 657-2183

sgilbertz@msubillings.edu