Dr. Jacek MrozikVice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Outreach | Minot State University
Dr. Jacek MrozikVice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Outreach | Minot State University
Minot, N.D. – Zebulon Wallace, an associate professor and program director in geography at Minot State University (MSU), is well-known for his involvement in various university events. Originally from Belgreen, Alabama, Wallace describes himself as a "hazards geographer," focusing on natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes.
Wallace has been part of MSU since 2017 and expresses great satisfaction with his experience there. He highlights the relationships he has built with students and colleagues as a significant aspect of his work. "By far the best thing about this job is the relationships that I have built with my students and my colleagues," Wallace states.
Despite not initially knowing about Minot before applying for a position, Wallace was drawn to MSU's small-town community atmosphere. "I wanted a small university in a small town with a strong sense of community," he recalls.
Wallace explains that geography goes beyond map reading, encompassing physical landscapes, human culture, population studies, and spatial organization. "Geography isn’t just about knowing where things are but also why they are there and how it will affect other things," he elaborates.
His interest in teaching geography began during college when he took a world regional geography class. Inspired by his professors' passion for teaching, Wallace pursued an academic career in the field. His educational journey took him from the University of North Alabama to the University of Memphis for advanced degrees.
Wallace identifies as a hazards geographer with research interests primarily focused on tornado hazards in rural areas of the southeastern U.S. His motivation stems from witnessing tornado devastation firsthand during an outbreak in April 2011.
Comparing life between Alabama and North Dakota, Wallace notes similarities such as friendly communities but acknowledges differences like weather conditions. Despite missing warmer winters, he appreciates North Dakota’s pleasant summers without high humidity.
Outside academia, Wallace enjoys hiking and visiting national parks like North Dakota's Badlands. He has embraced local culture through activities such as hockey games and participating in opera productions.
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