‘I have the privilege of co-learning with ES students as we increase our scientific knowledge’

Dr. Jason Geck is a professor in Alaska Pacific University’s Environmental Science Department, where he brings deep expertise in glaciology, climate change, and geographic information systems (GIS). Originally from Sacramento, California, Jason spent summers commercial fishing in Bristol Bay before falling in love with Alaska’s backcountry and deciding to make the state his home. He joined APU in 2003, where his teaching and research focus on the effects of climate change on glaciers and glacier hydrology, with a special expertise in GIS. Jason’s classes in GIS are among skills-based courses that help set APU’s ES Department graduates apart. With a background that spans economics, environmental studies, and landscape ecology, Jason found his academic “final answer” in glaciology—a field that allows him to blend his interests in earth science, remote sensing, and outdoor adventure.

At APU, Jason leads skills-based courses like GIS and glaciology, helping students understand and communicate complex environmental trends through data analysis and mapping. He emphasizes the full scientific process—data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation—through immersive fieldwork and student-led poster sessions that mirror professional scientific gatherings. With a teaching philosophy rooted in “learning by doing,” Jason sees himself as a co-learner alongside his students, guiding them toward careers in environmental science while fostering a culture of mentorship and scientific curiosity.