Patrick May

Pat at Sylvan Lake

Associate Professor of Geography; Coordinator, Social Science Education

BLS, MA, Bowling Green State University; PhD, University of Maryland
Email: pmay@plymouth.edu

Contact Information

Rounds Hall 109
Phone: 535-2501
Fax: 535-2351
MSC #39

About Professor May:
Dr. May currently serves as coordinator of Geography program at PSU, including the majors in Geography (GE), Environmental Planning (EPL), and Tourism Management and Policy (TMP).   He teaches courses across the fields of human geography and has specific background in urban and historical geography.  Patrick is committed to the continued integration of geography within the K-12 social studies curriculum and served as the coordinator of the PSU social studies education program from 2000-2012, building a wonderful network of social studies colleagues and alumni throughout the state.  Patrick takes particular pride in his role as faculty advisor, working to integrate students’ academic interests with their career goals through extra-curricular activities, study abroad, internships, and other experiences.  As the co-advisor to the PSU Geography Club, he has happily taken students to regional and national conferences each year.  Patrick is an Ohio native, taught college in Baltimore for 10 years prior to PSU, and lives for the experiences gained through travel, both domestic and international.

Service Roles and Honors
National History Day program, NH State Coordinator (2003-present)
NH Council for Social Studies, Executive Board Member and President (2001-2012)
PSU Distinguished Advising Award (2010)
Visiting faculty member for PSU Freshman Abroad program in Limerick, Ireland (2007)

Research Interests
 Residential and occupational segregation in US cities
 Cultural Landscape and the creation of identity
 Vernacular region development and exploitation in American recreation

Courses Taught:
Globalization and Diversity

Human Geography

Urban Geography

Geography for Educators (new in 2013)

Sub-Saharan Africa (Special Topics in Regional Geography)

Political Geography (Special Topics in Human Geography)

Cultural Geography (Special Topics in Human Geography)

Featured in Plymouth Magazine

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Faculty Forum: Irene Cucina

Professor Irene Cucina has been teaching in the Department of Health and Human Performance since 1998. Prior to coming to Plymouth State, she had a rewarding career as a high school health and physical education teacher and coach in Newton, MA. Her commitment to students and learning has been recognized by her peers through a [...]

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Another Way to Serve

“It was like moving to a foreign country with a completely different culture,” says PSU student Patrick O’Sullivan. The 26-year-old veteran isn’t referring to his time in Iraq as a motor transport operator in the Army Reserve. He’s talking about coming home. O’Sullivan joined the Army Reserve right out of high school, at an age [...]

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Remembering Gene Savage ’58

On May 14, 2012, New Hampshire lost a gifted educator, respected leader, and devoted friend. From his earliest days in education as a high school teacher, coach, and director of guidance, through his post as director of admissions at the University of New Hampshire, and later through his various administrative positions within the University System [...]