Geographic Education Ph.D. alum receives Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation Award

Lisa Elikan, geographic education Ph.D. alum of Texas State University, received the Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation Award from the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). The award recognizes and supports outstanding doctoral research in geography teaching and learning.

Elikan was honored at the NCGE Annual Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on Oct. 17 in front of an audience of more than 300 geography educators for her dissertation titled, Opportunities in Non-Formal Education to Enhance Girls’ Motivation Toward Learning Geography, Geospatial Technologies, and Related Careers.

Elikan is the third recipient from TXST to receive the award in the past 10 years, following Jinhee Lee in 2018 and Sojung Huh in 2024.

“Geography’s vitality depends on two things: a commitment to conveying the lessons that places and regions teach us and a strong community of advocates who advance this endangered subject through classrooms, communities, school districts, social media, and the halls of state capitals,” said Celeste Reynolds, president-elect of NCGE. “Lisa exemplifies the very best of these ideals.”

The Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation Award honors excellence in research in geography teaching and learning. While it recognizes past accomplishments, it also underscores the ongoing potential of this educator to shape the future of geography in both K-12 and higher education.

Visit the NCGE website for more information about the council and other awards.