I am honored, humbled and excited to be selected as a 2022 National Geographic Explorer. This opportunity is a life-long dream, and will amplify the launch of the nation’s first GeoBus in a big way. Don’t worry friends, I’m still in my associate professor role at UCF.

In the field drone mapping in the San Juan Islands, WA (July 2021) as part of our NSF grant with the Smithsonian. Photo credit: Tyler Copeland

I’ll have so much more to say soon, including a great deal of thanks/gratitude to a ton of folks who helped to make this dream become a reality. But for now, just know that I am thrilled, excited, and full of energy (even more energy than usual, if you can believe it). I can’t wait to share more about this journey
in the coming year.

Look for my Explorer Blog “The Road to GeoBus” to begin in February as our team of students, teachers, youth, and community partners work to drive science’s next generation with the first mobile learning lab of its kind in the United States.

GeoBus solar panel installation at 15lightyears in Longwood, FL (Feb 2020). Photo credit: Tyler Copeland.

I am grateful for National Geographic and their belief in our work. And I am thrilled to be back in the National Geographic community, having previously worked with National Geographic as the
State of Florida Geography Steward from 2018-2020 and as the Georgia Geographic Alliance Coordinator and Director of Research from 2013-2015.

Let’s explore the world together my friends as we support science’s next generation!

Dr. Hawthorne professional headshot, January 2022. Photo credit: Kaitlyn Bower

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