J.T. Bandzuh

Dr. J.T. Bandzuh is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Geography at Mount Aloysius College whose academic career spans a decade of teaching, research, and applied practice i Expand for more

Dr. J.T. Bandzuh is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Geography at Mount Aloysius College whose academic career spans a decade of teaching, research, and applied practice in human–environment interactions and health geography. He has taught thousands of students at Florida State University (2017–2023), University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (2021–2022), and Mount Aloysius College (2022–present). His teaching is defined by student-centered pedagogy, experiential learning, and an interdisciplinary approach that bridges geography, political science, environmental studies, and community health.

In addition to his faculty appointment, Dr. Bandzuh serves as Co-Director of the Center for Elevated Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Mount Aloysius College. In this role, he works collaboratively with his co-director and faculty to promote engaged, student-centered, and innovative teaching practices through professional development workshops, consultations, and campus-wide initiatives. His leadership in the CETL helps foster a culture of evidence-based instruction and student success.

Dr. Bandzuh’s research focuses on environmental health, especially in contexts where environmental conditions and public knowledge intersect to shape health outcomes. His scholarship examines how knowledge, attitudes, and practices influence responses to environmental health risks, especially vector-borne diseases. By integrating behavioral, social, and environmental perspectives, his work advances understanding of how communities adapt to threats shaped by climate variability, land use change, and public awareness. His broader research agenda also explores extreme heat, food security, and spatial dimensions of health behavior, reflecting a sustained interest in how place shapes vulnerability and resilience.

Dr. Bandzuh also connects his passion for teaching with his research by examining and implementing student-driven learning styles and curriculum development that incorporates engagement between his students and the community. Dr. Bandzuh actively incorporates community engagement into coursework, often organizing field experiences, applied projects, and hands-on learning opportunities that connect theory to lived experience. Whether including students in research projects, facilitating field trips, or advising, he prioritizes helping students see the tangible relevance of geography and political science in everyday life. His classrooms frequently incorporate simulations, games, and field-based exercises to cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and civic engagement.

A native of Portage, Pennsylvania, Dr. Bandzuh has lived in Blacksburg, Virginia, and Tallahassee, Florida, before returning to Portage in 2020. His broader professional experience includes serving as Conservation Education Specialist at the Blair County Conservation District (2021–2022), where he worked on environmental education and outreach. He has also held elected positions in local governance, serving as a member of the Portage Area School District Board of Directors (2011–2019) and the Admiral Peary Vocational‑Technical School Board of Directors (2012–2014), experiences that shaped his understanding of educational leadership and local governance.

Dr. Bandzuh’s personal interests mirror his professional passions: he enjoys gardening, hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, collecting houseplants, and traveling. His travels have taken him to dozens of U.S. states and 20 countries across Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America, enriching his global perspective and informing his teaching on place, culture, and environment. He values time with his wife, their two dogs, and family and friends.

Through his teaching, scholarship, campus leadership, and community service, Dr. Bandzuh embodies an engaged model of academic life—one that connects environmental research, pedagogical innovation, and civic responsibility to the development and mentorship of students, preparing them to address complex local and global challenges.

Read more about J.T. on his website.

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