Teddy Jorgensen, Geography Club President '25
Q&A With Teddy Jorgensen, ENSP-Land Use
A year ago, the Geography Club at the University of Maryland was inactive—until Teddy Jorgensen, a junior majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in land use, and his colleague Joseph Massaro took the initiative to revive it in fall 2024.
With Massaro graduating that semester, Jorgensen stepped into the role of president, focusing on building a strong community among undergraduate geography students.
In a short time, the Geography Club reclaimed LeFrak Hall 1150, now called the Undergraduate Lounge, as its headquarters and began meeting there every Tuesday evening, with board meetings every other week.
Why did you decide to restart the Geography Club?
The department has great professors and resources, but I noticed there weren’t many spaces for undergraduates to hang out with each other. We also love LeFrak. Other majors have lounges where students can gather, but geography didn’t have that same sense of community. So Joe [Massaro] and I started talking to each other and realized that we had both come up with the idea separately that it would be interesting to bring the Geography Club back because we really love the department.
How has the club grown since then?
Right now, we have a pretty solid base of 10 core members, but for events like Geoguessr tournaments or Maryland Trivia Night, we’ve had up to 35 attendees. I want to keep spreading the word in introductory geography courses—not just to grow membership, but to help students discover their interest in geography.
How does the club benefit students?
It’s a great way to hear about career fairs, departmental events and course opportunities in a more personal setting than just an email. It also helps students build connections with faculty and peers who share their interest in geography.
What have been some club highlights so far?
We host events like world movie nights, trivia nights, and a humanitarian Mapathon competition against other schools’ geography clubs. We also organize trips—so far, we’ve visited the National Zoo, and we’re planning a trip to Harpers Ferry. We are also planning a Mapathon rematch with George Washington University.
What’s your vision for the club moving forward?
It’s not about having the biggest club; it’s about keeping students engaged. I want to continue building a welcoming space where students feel connected to the department and each other. So far, it’s been exciting to see that happening.
What inspired the interest in geographical sciences?
When I came to the university, I was an environmental science and policy major because I've always loved the outdoors—leading my school’s Outdoors Club and being in Boy Scouts made me interested in environmental conservation. I also have a lifelong fascination with maps. As a kid, I spent hours studying my Rand McNally Road Atlas, captivated by how cities connected.
At UMD, taking GIS courses showed me how powerful mapping is for solving environmental problems. After taking GEOG 306, I realized a land use concentration would let me study geography through an environmental lens, which was exactly what I wanted to do.
Has there been a research project or something that has had an impact on you?
Dr. Zhou’s three classes, GEOG 306, GEOG 373 and GEOG 473, which I think it’s kind of one class streached over three semesters. They build off of each other really well. Professor Zhou worked for the World Bank, and being in academia, he really understands not just how to teach GIS, but why it's so important for so many fields.
This semester, I'm also taking GEOG 333 with Professor Laixiang Sun. And I really like that class as well, which focuses on the geography of cities. He’s a really good speaker and shares interesting anecdotes to help teach the class.
What’s your dream job after graduation?
I want to be an urban or regional planner, ideally in a fast-growing city expanding into a rural area. I grew up in Howard County and saw firsthand how rapid suburban development impacted infrastructure, like overcrowded schools and new construction projects. That experience sparked my interest in designing communities that balance walkability, environmental protection, and human-centered planning.
How does GIS fit into that goal?
GIS is an essential tool for urban planning. It allows planners to analyze city layouts, infrastructure needs, and population trends. For example, if a city wants to add a new bike trail, GIS can identify gaps in existing routes and highlight underserved areas. Anytime data is mapped to understand patterns, GIS is playing a role—making it a critical skill in city planning.
Image courtesy of Teddy Jorgensen
