Maps, Milestones, and Momentum: My CGS 2025 Conference Experience
I'm just now catching up with posts after a very eventful and busy spring semester, but I couldn’t let the experience of the 2025 California Geographical Society (CGS) Conference go unshared. Held at CSU Stanislaus in Turlock, CA at the end of April, the weekend was a whirlwind of maps, meaningful conversations, and memorable moments.
This time around, I had the opportunity to present an updated version of my research poster exploring the spatial relationship between liquefaction hazards and socioeconomic vulnerability across several Bay Area counties. Building on earlier work from the APCG Conference, this revised project incorporated new GIS layers and comparative analysis to strengthen its impact, and it paid off! I’m incredibly honored to have received the David Lantis Scholarship, a travel grant, and first place in the Joe Beaton undergraduate poster competition.
More than the accolades, what stood out most was the energy and warmth of the geography community. I reconnected with familiar faces from APCG, exchanged ideas with passionate students and faculty from CSUF, UCSB, and other institutions, and felt both seen and supported as a non-traditional student navigating my own path in this field.
A heartfelt thank you to the amazing PCC Geography faculty who made it possible for our group to attend, the organizers and volunteers at CGS and CSU Stanislaus, and everyone who took the time to stop by my poster, offer words of encouragement, or simply share space. And of course, a special shoutout to my conference buddy and side quest co-pilot Liz Andrusenki for always making the adventure even richer.
I left the conference feeling inspired, motivated, and more certain than ever that I’m on the right path. The future feels wide open, and I can’t wait to map it.
