The American Geographical Society Elects MSU Alumna Dr. Demetrice Jordan to Council

June 11, 2021

The American Geographical Society (AGS) announced the election of Dr. Demetrice “Dee” Jordan as the newest member of the AGS Council. Dr. Jordan is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Jordan has a dual-major doctorate degree in Geography and Environmental Science and Policy from Michigan State University. She is the first student in the department to receive a dual-PhD. Dr. Jordan’s research focuses on the ecological and environmental determinants of disease risk for vector-borne parasitic illnesses, infectious diseases, and neglected tropical diseases of sub-Saharan Africa. She is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant and has developed innovative programs and curricula to promote the principles of DEI in academic and non-profit settings.

Dr. Jordan is the Founder of the Advancing Geography Through Diversity Program (AGTDP) at Michigan State University, which seeks to address the under-representation of African American, Latinx American, and Native American graduate students in the discipline of Geography. She recently developed the Celebrating Black Geographers anthology hosted online by the American Geographical Society. Dee is a proud member of the National Council of Negro Women and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

On joining the AGS Council, Dr. Jordan wrote, “I am thrilled to be part of the dynamic group of Councillors and contribute to the continued progress of the American Geographical Society.” The AGS Council is the governing board of the Society and has been leading the organization since 1851. Some of the nation’s most prominent historical leaders have served on the Council, including Henry Grinnell, Seth Low, Archer M. Huntington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John Noble Wilford, and many of the leading geographers, business leaders, and political figures throughout the decades.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Jordan to the AGS Council. We are looking forward to the unique perspectives she will bring to AGS as we provide geographical leadership in this era of geospatial exploration,” said Dr. John Konarski, CEO of AGS.

The American Geographical Society (AGS) is a 21st-century learning society dedicated to the advancement of geographic thinking, knowledge, and understanding across business, government, academe, social sectors, and most importantly, with teachers and students. Established in 1851, AGS is the oldest professional geographical organization in the United States. It is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in geographical research and education for over 170 years. The vision of AGS is to be the foremost champion of geography for the benefit of society. We convene a diverse global community of innovators, thinkers, and practitioners; create and curate geographical knowledge, learning, and exploration; and advance geographic science and technologies to address society’s challenges and opportunities. The Society maintains its headquarters in New York City.