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A Spartan legacy and future: Dr. Elizabeth Mack named chair of the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences

August 10, 2026 - Diane Huhn

mack-chair-headshot.jpgThe Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University is entering an exciting new chapter. Dr. Elizabeth Mack, an accomplished professor, researcher, and academic leader, has been named the incoming department chairperson. Dr. Mack succeeds Dr. Ashton Shortridge, stepping into the role with a deep passion for the discipline, a stellar track record of interdisciplinary research, and a profound, personal connection to the banks of the Red Cedar. 

A homecoming rooted in Spartan history 

While Dr. Mack officially joined the MSU faculty in the fall of 2015, her history with the university stretches back decades. 

"My parents became Spartans long before I did," Dr. Mack shared. Her mother and father first met on MSU's campus in a Natural Science 101 course in Berkey Hall, eventually graduating with their bachelor’s degrees. Growing up a Midwesterner at heart, Dr. Mack's journey ultimately brought her back to the very place where her family's story began. 

Her academic pathway reflects a rich, multidisciplinary foundation: 

  • Bachelor’s Degrees: B.A. in Spanish and B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech  
  • Master’s Degree: M.A. in Applied Economics from the University of Cincinnati  
  • Doctorate: Ph.D. in Geography from Indiana University Bloomington  
  • Post-Doctoral & Early Career: Post-doctoral work in spatial analysis and four years as an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University (ASU) 

Pioneering research at the intersection of technology, society, and environment 

As a widely respected economic geographer and the director of the Mack Lab, Dr. Mack's research utilizes mixed-methods approaches to tackle some of the most pressing socio-economic challenges of our time. Her work primarily focuses on how regional economies evolve under the dual pressures of rapid technological advancement and change. 

Her research portfolio is characterized by four core pillars: 

  • Digital Divide and Telecommunications Policy: Dr. Mack is a leading voice on how broadband infrastructure deployment impacts regional economic development, business location choices, entrepreneurship, and everyday work. 
  • Water Access and Affordability: Her environmental research evaluates how households respond to changing climates, with a specific focus on water and wastewater affordability, and the long-term sustainability of public water infrastructure. 
  • Entrepreneurship and New Business Activity: She explores spatial economics, knowledge-intensive industries, and entrepreneurial activity, particularly among underrepresented groups. 
  • Perceptions and Adaptation to Environmental Change: Dr. Mack has worked with colleagues to determine how people are adapting to environmental and agricultural change in Kyrgyzstan and Romania.  

Dr. Mack’s groundbreaking work has earned funding from prestigious federal and private organizations, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Kauffman Foundation. Additionally, her scholarly excellence was recognized with the prestigious Geoffrey J.D. Hewings Award in Regional Science. In 2021, she received the William R. “Randy” Boggess Award for the best paper of the year published in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) for her article about the Philadelphia Water Department’s income-based billing program, the tiered assistance program (TAP). 

A proven leader prepared for the future  

Dr. Mack is no stranger to leadership within the department and university. Having served as the Graduate Program Director and the department’s first official Associate Chair, she has worked closely with faculty, staff, and students to foster a collaborative, community-focused academic environment. Beyond MSU, her leadership extends globally, having previously served on the editorial boards of several major demographic and spatial journals. 

As she takes the helm from Dr. Ashton Shortridge, Dr. Mack brings a vision of growth, fostering community, and academic excellence. Under her guidance, the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences is poised to continue leading critical dialogues on how humans, environments, and technologies connect to shape a better, more sustainable world. 

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mack to the chairperson role.