Professor
Humanities & Social Sciences
DeBartolo Hall 416
phone: (330) 941-2301
Dawna Cerney is a broadly trained professional geographer, who’s work focus on five areas. These areas are, landscape change and conservation, environmental design, geography education and online/virtual learning, equability in the geography work place and promotion of professional geography in the work place and K-16 education.
Her training and knowledge in landscape change, ecological function and resiliency frame an understanding in many areas of her professional work. Dawna specifically examines landscape level structural change and alteration of ecosystems within complex landscapes under compound environmental pressures.Ecological resilience theory states that combined pressures such as disturbance events (i.e. forest fires) and intense land use and multiple lands pressures may cause stability thresholds to be surpassed. The outcome of exceed threshold limits will result in an altered ecological state reflective in a change landscape structure.
The majority of Dawna’s landscape change and resiliency work has taken place in the Rocky Mountains and adjacent foothills. She also conducts work in the Cascades, Appalachians, the Appalachian plateau, the North American prairie and parkland, barrier islands and Iceland. As an applied geographer her work aims to support land use planners, and policy makers with decisions that will maximize the stability of ecosystem services and community development.
Dawna’s environmental design work began with developing a means to harvest native prairie species for restoration. Design work also has included xeriscaping public and private space with ecological varieties and cultivated varieties of native plants to reestablish various degrees of ecological function. Training in ecological design and environmental geography starts with “knowing place”. Place based knowledge combines “sense of place”, environmental and social justice, and inclusion of local intrinsic natural elements within the human environment. Working within earth systems (geology, hydrology, climate and ecology) are the foundation to healthier communities, as doing so reduces pressures on community infrastructure such as waste water collection systems, and places humans in proximity to nature to produce a greater sense of well-being in individuals and neighborhoods. Incorporation of environmental design results in greater engagement between community members, reduces social pressures and is a key element in improving community wellbeing. Dawna’s recent design work is undertaken with her students and fellow faculty in Eastern Ohio and Southern Alberta as part of her teaching responsibilities, and community outreach which supports reviving and retrofitting Legacy Cities and Communities.
Dawna is deeply passionate about the promotion and understanding of geography as a professional field and is a centered on promoting and educating the public and professional educators on the robust and critical roles that geographers play in business, and government. Dawna’s work with the AGX (Formally the Applied Geography Conference), American Association of Geographers (Mountain Geography Specialty Group and Applied Geography Specialty Group), the National Council of Geographic Education, and GeoSagas, is centered on establishing mechanisms to bring accurate understanding and greater awareness of geography to the American population
- Small and midscale Community resiliency and restoration
- Ecological resiliency in mountain environments
- Ecological succession post forest fires under climate change in mountain environments
- Immersive virtual reality field-based education
- Education equitabilityGender issues and equability in geography workplaces
- Sense of place in decision making
Teaching and Course Development:
- Biogeography (Graduate and Undergraduate)
- Environmental Issues
- Experiencing NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland (Graduate)
- Field methods
- Foundations of Conservation
- Fundamentals of Environmental Science
- Geography of Canada
- Geography Capstone
- Human Geography
- Human Impacts on the Environment
- International Studies – Bahamas
- International Studies – Canada
- Land Planning
- Mountain Geography
- Physical Geography
- Physical Geography Lab
- Tropical Ecology
- World Regional Geography
- Weather
Geography
Texas State University
Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Assessment of Landscape Change in Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada, Using Multitemporal Composites Constructed from Terrestrial Repeat Photographs"
Ph D, Geography
Texas State University
Ph D, Geography
Texas State University
Ph D, Environmental Geography
Texas State University
Ph D
Other, Environmental Science, Ecological Restoration
University of Calgary
Dissertation/Thesis Title — "Two methods of harvesting native grass community seed. Degree"
MS, Environmental Science
University of Calgary
MS, Environmental Science
University of Calgary
MS, Environmental Science
University of Calgary
MS
Geography
University of Lethbridge
BS, Physical Geography
University of Lethbridge
BS, Geography
University of Lethbridge
BS, Geography
University of Lethbridge
BS
Engineering Design and Drafting
Lethbridge Community College
University of Pittsburgh
Steven Manners Research Development Award
Mon Valley Initiative
Mon Valley Initiative 2024 Community Partner of the Year
The Mon Valley Initiative mandate is the improve the lives of people in the Mon Valley. The is is accomplished by supporting rebuilding or creating infrastructure as well as connecting employers to jobs and career seekers.
A central aim is to real estate and community development.
The Community Partner of the Year is awarded though the nomination by residents of the Mon Valley to individuals or organizations that have gone above and bind in service to the community.
Dr Susan Lucas (University of Pittsburgh) and I were awarded this honor for our initial work on modeling community attributes as the first phase of community infrastructure, economic and social space redevelopment planning.
Mon Valley Initiative
Mon Valley Initiative 2024 Community Partner of the Year
American Association of Geographers
AAG Honors Committee
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Executive Director
AGX: Community of Applied Geographers
AGX Nomination and Election to Execuative Director of AGX
The AGX Board of Directors elected me to the Executive Director in 2024. I shared the position with Dr. Deinse Blanchard Bohem as a precautionary measure, as my tenure at YSU was uncertain in January and February of 2024. With job security established at YSU the the executive members agreed that co-leadership would remain in. place until the Fall 2024 conference where my leaderships would be announced and I would take the role I was elected into.
The position requires managing the organization's operations, and finances. I maintain the organization's goals and direct program effectiveness.
Responsibilities include: strategic planning and execution, management of the Board Member roles, and program and set culture development.
National Historic Publications and Records Commission
National Historical Publications & Records Commission, Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State Distinguished Professor – Teaching
This awards is a nominated award and voted on by a committee at the College level and the University level.
Awarded for outstanding teaching and service to the students, staff and faculty at Youngstown State University.
I am informed that my capstone class which is centered on community engagement and accompanying documents helped support this award.
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State Distinguished Professor – Teaching
Youngstown State University
2019 Faculty Improvement Leave, Youngstown State University
Based on the merit of a research proposal release time is granted from teaching duties to to undertake research on forest fire ecological recovery at Waterton Lakes National Park.
The work is a longitudinal study and coming data is required to determine the nature of post forest fire ecological systems return.
Youngstown State University
CLASS Dean sponsored awarded
Youngstown State University
Faculty Improvement Leave
CLASS, Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student participation in Applied Geography Conference Meeting - Kent, Ohio
I was granted financial support to take 14 students to the annual national meeting for the Applied Geography Conference
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dean
CLASS Dean sponsored $3000 awarded
I was granted financial support for students Mary Rodack and Joseph Agati for Study abroad in Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada. Participation in primary research.
Youngstown State University
2018 Research Professorship Youngstown State University
Based on the merit of a research proposal release time is granted from teaching duties to to begin phase one of a long term longitudinal investigation of 2017 Kenow Fire ecology recovery in Waterton Lakes National Park
Youngstown State University
Research Professorship
CLASS Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student participation in AAG Annual meeting – Boston, MA
I was granted financial support to take 14 students to the annual national meeting for the American Association of Geographers
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
CLASS Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student participation in AAG Annual meeting - Chicago, IL
I was granted financial support to take 14 students to the annual national meeting for the Association of American Geographers Conference
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
Department of Geography Texas State University
Texas State University
Department of Geography, Texas State University
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Texas State Geography
Dr. Lawerence Estiville nominated me to the the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus for the Texas State Department of Geography. This award is voted on by the entire geography faculty, which is the largest Geography Department in the United States.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award for to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in the discipline of geography in their career.
CLASS, Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student participation in AAG Eastlakes Regional Meeting - Kent, OH
I was granted financial support to take 15 students to the annual regional meeting for the Association of American Geographers Conference
CLASS Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student participation in AAG Annual meeting - New York, NY
I was granted financial support to take 8 students to the annual national meeting for the Association of American Geographers Conference
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
CLASS, Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee, Student field trip to Pittsburgh
I was granted financial support to take the Geography Club to the National History museum and Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Association of American Geographers
Mel Marcus Fund, Association of American Geographers (Foster Student Research Collaboration)
This is a national award which is selected by a commitee. Funding provides a faculty member and their student to undertake primary field work. I was granted the award for two students to participate in primary research fieldwork in the Canadian Rockies.
Association of American Geographers
Mel Marcus Fund
Youngstown State University
CLASS College Fee
Youngstown State University
University Research Council Grant – Youngstown State University
Funding was granted to support field research of ecosystem forest fire recovery of twelve year old forest fire in an area that had not had a fire in modern history. This was a novel examination for an area where no baseline data was available to understand how a wide expansive fire prone region would respond to increased fire risk.
Youngstown State University
University Research Council Grant
Youngstown State University
Regular Research Assistant Award
Prentice Hall
Pre
Applied Geography Conferences
Applied Geography Meeting Student Paper Competition
Applied Geography Conference
Applied Geography Meeting Student Paper Competition - Third Place
This is an annual national level award for applied geography research conducted and presented at the Applied Geography Conference, The awarded is based not the combined merit of the research and presentation.
Prentice Hall Publication
The Prentice Hall Publication Doctoral Award
Award was furnished for exceptional quality of dissertation research.
Texas State University, Department of Geography
The Irene L. Wahl Geography Scholarship
PhD level awarded for outstanding student research in the Department of Geography at Texas State University.
Texas State University, Department of Geography
Good Neighbor Scholarship
The award is voted on by Department of Geography - Texas State University faculty. Awarded for department level citizenship across the department. It can be awarded to any individual in the Department of Geography from faculty, staff, ~150+ graduate students and PhD students, to the 300+ undergraduates.
Department of Geography Texas State University
The Irene L. Wahl Geography
Geography Department Texas State University
Graduate Award for Outstanding Service to the Department
Department of Geography Texas State University
Good Neighbor Scholarship
Texas State University, Department of Geography
The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship
Awarded to support graduate level research at Texas State University.
Geography Department Texas State University
The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship
Texas State University, Department of Geography
The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship
Awarded to support graduate level research at Texas State University.
Geography Department Texas State University
The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship
Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association
Best Educational; Production Award
Lethbridge Community Colleg
Lethbridge Community College, Rookie Instructor of the Year
Awarded for best new instructor at the Lethbridge Community College. One honor is awarded annually.
Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association
28th Annual Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association; Best Educational; Production Award
Awarded for best educational video TV Series "Global Change"
With Byrne, James, Richard Mrazek and G. Gallant
Lethbridge Community College
Rookie Instructor of the Year
University of Lethbridge Department of Geography
University of Lethbridge Geography Scholarship
Best undergraduate research
University of Lethbridge
Geography Scholarship
Youngstown State University
Professor
Youngstown State University
Associate Professor
Youngstown State University
Associate Professor
Youngstown State University
Department Chair
Youngstown State University
Assistant Professor
Texas State University
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Lethbridge Community College
Hourly Instructor
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
Geographic Information Systems Technologist
University of Lethbridge
Visiting Lecturer
University of Lethbridge
Public Education Liaison
University of Lethbridge
Academic Development Advisor
Agriculture Canada
Research Associate
University of Lethbridge
Volunteer Teaching Assistant
Park Lakes Estates
Developer and Ecological Designer
University of Lethbridge
Research Assistant
Other
Other
Director
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Director
Other
Director
Director
Other
Other
Department Chairperson
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
Department Chairperson
Other
Other
Other
Other
Other
"Experiencing Iceland: Immersive Professional Development to Build Geography Teaching Capacity"
E. Foster, D. Cerney, L. Moorman, N. Cerveny, D. Gielstra
Experiential Learning in Geography, Springer Nature, p. 77-98
"GeoEPIC: Innovating a Solution to Implement Virtual Field Experiences for Education in the Time of COVID-19 and the Post-Pandemic Era."
D. Gielstra, L. Moorman, D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, J. Gielstra
Journal of Higher Education, Theory, and Practice, Ojs & PKP, volume 21, issue 7, p. 1-10
"From Real to Virtual Reality–Using the Geographic Advantage with Emerging Technology to Pivot an International Interdisciplinary Experience"
L. Moorman, D. Cerney, D. Gielstra, E. Foster, N. Cerveny
The Geography Teacher, Taylor Francis, volume 18, issue 3-4, p. 107-111
"Where is my Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, Þingvellir, Iceland"
N. Cerveny, D. Gielstra, J. Gielstra, L. Moorman, D. Cerney
The Geography Teacher, Taylor Francis, volume 18, issue 3-4, p. 171-178
"Where is my Booth? Clan Organization at the Alþingi, Þingvellir, Iceland"
N. Cerveny, D. Gielstra, J. Gielstra, L. Moorman, D. Cerney, E. Foster
The Geography Teacher, volume 18, issue 3-4"GeoEPIC: Innovating a Solution to Implement Virtual Field Experiences for Education in the Time of COVID-19 and the Post-Pandemic Era"
D. Gielstra, K. Moorman, D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, J. Gielstra
Journal of Higher Education, Theory, and Practice, volume 21, issue 7"From Real to Virtual Reality–Using the Geographic Advantage with Emerging Technology to Pivot an International Interdisciplinary Experience"
L. Moorman, D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, D. Gielstra, E. Foster
The Geography Teacher, volume 18, issue 3-4"A Disciplinary Perspective: Applied Geography and Gender Concerns"
D. Cerney, C. Whitesides, M. Allen, B. Montz, J. Burrel
Papers in Applied Geography, Taylor Fransis, volume 7, issue 2, p. 199-216
"Bringing Value to NCGE Through a Partnership with GeoSagas"
D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, D. Dianna Gielstra, J. Gielstra, L. Moorman
National Council of Geographic Education
"NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland 2019 field guide: Exploring Iceland’s changing landscapes and diverse environments (4rd ed)"
E. Foster, D. Cerney
Book name:, National Council for Geographic Education
"Geoscience Education Platform and Tools"
D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, D. Gielstra, L. Moorman
National Council of Geographic Education"Digital Navigation and Education Tools for Iceland Tourism and Geography EducationNational Council of Geographic Education"
D. Cerney, D. Gielstra, E. Foster, J. Gielstra, N. Cerveny
National Council of Geographic Education
"NCGE-GeoCamp Iceland 2019 field guide: Exploring Iceland’s changing landscapes and diverse environments (3rd ed)."
E. Foster, D. Cerney
National Council of Geographic Education"Digital Navigation and Education Tools for Iceland Tourism and Geography Education"
D. Cerney, N. Cerveny, E. Foster, D. Gielstra
National Council of Geographic Education"A Disciplinary Perspective: Applied Geography and Gender Concerns"
D. Cerney, C. Whitesides, M. Allen, B. Montz, J. Burrell
Papers in Applied Geography, volume 7, issue 2"Establishing Post-Forest Fire Vegetation Succession Patterns on Sofa Mountain, Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada"
D. Buckler, D. Cerney
Paper and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences, Applied Geography Conference, volume 35, p. 336-345
"Establishing Post-Forest Fire Vegetation Succession Patterns on Sofa Mountain, Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada"
D. Buckler, D. Cerney
Paper and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences, volume 35"The Use of Repeat Photography in Contemporary Geomorphic Studies: An Evolving Approach to Understanding Landscape Change"
D. Cerney
Geography Compass, Wiley, volume 4, issue 9, p. 1339-1357
"The Use of Repeat Photography in Contemporary Geomorphic Studies: An Evolving Approach to Understanding Landscape Change"
D. Cerney
Geography Compass, volume 4/9"Post-fire Tree Establishment Patterns at the Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA"
K. Stueve, D. Cerney, R. Rochefort, L. Kurth
Journal of Vegetation Science, Wiley On Line, volume 20, issue Volume 20 issue 2, p. 107-120.
"Post-fire Tree Establishment Patterns at the Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA"
K. Stueve, D. Cerney, R. Rochefort, L. Kurth
Journal of Vegetation Science, volume 20, issue 1"Use of Multitemporal Color Composite Analysis to Assess Landscape Change in Oblique Photographs: A Case Study from Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada"
D. Cerney, R. Eyton, D. Butler
Geocarto International, Taylor & Francis, volume 23, issue 5, p. 347-371
"Use of Multitemporal Color Composite Analysis to Assess Landscape Change in Oblique Photographs: A Case Study from Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada"
D. Cerney, R. Eyton
Geocarto International, volume 23, issue 5"Environmental Change and Geomorphic Hazards in Forests, IUFRO Research Series, vol. 9, National University of Singapore"
D. Cerney
Geomorphology, Elsevier BV, volume 65, issue 3-4, p. 341
"Environmental Change and Geomorphic Hazards in Forests"
D. Cerney
Geomorphology, volume 65, issue 3-4"Low-Cost Revegetation of Native Grass Prairie Communities, Annual report"
D. Cerney
Southern Applied Research Association
"Low-Cost Revegetation of Native Grass Prairie Communities"
D. Cerney, W. Willms
Southern Applied Research Association"Low-Cost Revegetation of Native Grass Prairie Communities, Annual report"
D. Cerney
Southern Applied Research Association
"Low-Cost Revegetation of Native Grass Prairie Communities"
D. Cerney, W. Willms
Southern Applied Research Association"Water Saving Landscaping Strategies for Lethbridge"
D. Cerney
Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary
"Water Saving Landscaping Strategies for Lethbridge"
D. Cerney, K. Roberge, K. Skoulding, D. Von Kuster, K. Wong
University of CalgaryOther
American Association of Geographers
Other
The Leetonia Institute
Other
The Leetonia Institute
Other
University of Pittsburgh
Other
University of Pittsburgh
Other
Professional Geography Mentor
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
History and Geography Department, University of Central Oklahoma
Other
Association of American Geographers
Other
Oak Hill Cemetery
Other
History and Geography Department, University of Central Oklahoma
Other
Wellsville Ohio, “Lets Do It” Revitalization Steering Committee
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
GeoSagas – Geography Immersive Geography Education Development
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
GeSagas
Other
AGX: A Community of Applied Geographers
Other
American Association of Geographers Annals Editorial Board
Chairperson
American Association of Geographers
Chairperson
American Association of Geographers
Editor, Associate Editor
Papers in Applied Geography
Editor, Associate Editor
Papers in Applied Geography
Editor, Journal Editor
Applied Geographers Conference
Other
Applied Geographers Conference
Reviewer, Journal Article
Applied Geographers Conference
Member
American Association of Geographers
Chairperson
American Association of Geographers
Other
National Geographic Ohio State Geography Bee
Member
American Association of Geographers
Member
American Association of Geographers
Volunteer
Oak Hill Cemetery, Warren, Ohio Mapping project volunteer
Volunteer
International Professional Geography mentor - LinkedIn
Committee Member
Wellsville Ohio, “Lets Do It” Revitalization Steering Committee Member
Committee Member
Leetonia Civic Building Community Development