Rafa Gonzalez Accepted to PhD Program at KU

Congratulations Rafa Gonzalez!

Graduation will be held in Parker Auditorium May 7

Congratulations go to Rafa Gonzales, a second-year graduate student, due to graduate with a geography masters degree in May 2021. His hard work has paid off in a big way.

Gonzales was accepted, with a full-ride scholarship, to the University of Kansas-Lawrence to continue his education through a PhD program. The Department of Geography recently asked him questions about his decision to choose KU, his program emphasis, and thoughts on Mizzou.

Geography: How many universities did you apply to for your PhD program?

Gonzalez: Oregon and KU.

My dissertation would look at various urban indigenous communities in Chihuahua state, Mexico. These communities have a lot in common with U.S. reservations. They have a system of government, and only tribal members are allowed to live in the communities. But the difference is these communities are set in an urban landscape. - Rafa Gonzalez

Geography: Why did you choose University of Kansas-Lawrence?

Gonzalez: Dr. Soren Larsen knew my interest is indigenous geography and had recommended KU. He recommended the program due to professors there aligned with my study interests.

Geography: What is your emphasis in the PhD program? And how many years until completion?

Gonzalez: The degree is a PhD in geography. My first year is funded, and will continue up to two more years. I hope to be able to spend time in Mexico to conduct my study and be able to publish the study on urban indigenous identity in Chihuahua.

Geography: What do you hope to do your dissertation on? Is it a continuation of research from your graduate studies at Mizzou on the Tarahumaras and videogaming?

Gonzalez: My dissertation would look at various urban indigenous communities in Chihuahua state, Mexico. These communities have a lot in common with U.S. reservations. They have a system of government, and only tribal members are allowed to live in the communities. But the difference is these communities are set in an urban landscape. It would be interesting to see the impact it has on indigenous identity for Tarahumaras who have grown up in the city.

Rafa Gonzalez

Geography: What have you learned from Mizzou’s masters geography program over the last two years? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

Gonzalez: Coming into Mizzou, I had considered working in the private industry. But through my teaching assistantship and research assistantship, I have changed my mind, and now I want to pursue a career in academia. I didn’t really think I’d want to teach or do research as a career. I thought I’d be working public industry or private industry, but never considered working in the education field. But I am now.

I will miss how in a small department every faculty member is available to help when I need assistance. I will miss the grad students, the time spent as a teaching assistant for Dr. Hurt and Dr. Larsen, and working with Dr. Palmer as a research assistant. I will also miss the meetings at the Heidelberg. - Rafa Gonzalez

Geography: If you could give anyone advice on starting and finishing a geography degree, what would it be?

Gonzalez: Get to know your advisor. It’s essential that he or she knows your goals and interests because they will point you in the right direction and make sure you stay on course.

Geography: What will you miss most about Mizzou geography?

Gonzalez: I will miss how in a small department every faculty member is available to help when I need assistance. I will miss the grad students, the time spent as a teaching assistant for Dr. Hurt and Dr. Larsen, and working with Dr. Palmer as a research assistant. I will also miss the meetings at the Heidelberg.

Geography: What do you hope to gain most from your PhD program?

Gonzalez: Skills that will help me have a successful academic career. Comparing the research here to the research you do for your dissertation – it’s more in depth. Through the PhD program, you learn to be a better researcher and learn to publish.

Geography: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Gonzalez: Hopefully, with a PhD and expanding the study of contemporary urban indigenous identity in Latin America. And, again, teaching in some capacity.

Geography: Anything else?

Gonzalez: I want to thank every single faculty member for always being there when I needed help. And I’ve enjoyed my time here. Even with COVID, and being a part of it, my feelings are still that time spent at Mizzou geography was nice.

University of Missouri

College of Arts and Science

Geography

Rafa Gonzalez Accepted to PhD Program at KU

Rafa Gonzalez Accepted to PhD Program at KU

Congratulations go to Rafa Gonzales, a second-year graduate student, due to graduate with a geography masters degree in May 2021. His hard work has paid off in a big way.

Gonzales was accepted, with a full-ride scholarship, to the University of Kansas-Lawrence to continue his education through a PhD program. The Department of Geography recently asked him questions about his decision to choose KU, his program emphasis, and thoughts on Mizzou.