Geography and Planning

Dr. Carlos A. Morales-Ramírez

Biography

Dr. Carlos A. Morales-Ramírez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning. He has taught in-person and online courses in various areas of geography at West Chester University. Dr. Morales-Ramírez has also taught courses in World Regional Geography, Introduction to Geography, Introduction to Mapping and Geographic Information Systems, Global Perspectives in Sustainability, and Introduction to Social Sciences, in Spanish and English, at other universities. His research focuses on geography education, with a focus on biogeography curriculum. He has also published research in biogeography, species distribution modelling, and vexillology.

Education

• Ed.D., Curriculum & Instruction, West Chester University, 2025
• Ph.D., Geography, National University of Singapore, 2022
• M.A., Geography, West Chester University, 2016
• M.S., Geography Education, University of Oregon, 2015
• B.A., Geography, University of Puerto Rico (Rio Piedras Campus), 2013

Areas of Expertise

• Ecological Biogeography
• Geography Education
• Vexillology
• General Geography

Curriculum & Instruction

Student Research Supervision

• Alexis Acey, 2026, “Mapping Gentrification and Displacement Pressure: A Spatial Typology of Vulnerability of Inland and Waterfront Newark” [Master’s Project], West Chester University.
• Tovi Anderson, 2026,  “Mapping Women’s Access to Maternity Care” [Master’s Project], West Chester University.
• Julia Williams, 2025, “Kids These Days: A Look into How Undergraduate University Students View World Politics” [Master’s Project], West Chester University.

Relevant Professional/Applied Experience

• AP Human Geography Reader, College Board, 2023 – present 

Recent Publications/Journals/Books

•  Morales-Ramirez, C.A., Schugar, H., and Heckert, M. 2026. Exploring Geography Education through Vexillology: Flag Design and the Concept of Place. Geographical Review. [Accepted]
• Smiley, R.M. and Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2025. Making Species Range Maps Using Observation Records and Open-Source Software: A Step-by-Step Guide. The Geography Teacher 22 (4): 182-187.
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A., Carroll, B., Neal, S.M., and Nein, B. 2025. https://doi.org/10.5531/cbc.linc.14.1.6. Lessons in Conservation 14 (1): 81–106.
• Carroll, B., Neal, S.M., and Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2023. Establishing a baseline of forest cover in two Ghanaian forest reserves using an open-source remote sensing tool to aid endangered species conservation efforts. The Pennsylvania Geographer 61 (2): 13-31.
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2023. The Usurper of the Lone Star Flag. Journal of Social Studies and History Education 7 (2): 70-81. https://www.uhd.edu/documents/academics/public-service/urban-education/jsshe/archives/2023/jsshe-fall-2023-article-6-morales-ramirez-v2.pdf.
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2023. Searching for Biogeography in the Classroom: A Proposed Curriculum to Address the State of Geography Education”. Research in Geography Education 24 (1): 70-83. https://rge.grosvenor.txst.edu/issues/volume-24-number-1.html 
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2023. Seeing the World Through Maps: The Effectiveness of Map Knowledge in Flag Recognition. Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization 58 (1): 39-46. https://doi.org/10.3138/cart-2022-0021.
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A. 2022. Evaluating Flag Knowledge and Nationalism in Southeast Asia’s Lion “City””. Middle States Geographer 54: 49-56. https://msaag.aag.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/6-Ramirez-MSG54-2021.pdf.
• Morales-Ramirez, C.A. and Wang, Y. –C. 2022. Keeping Bio- Alive in Geography Education. Area 54 (1): 60-68. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12746.

Professional and Community Engagement

Campus Committee:

• 2026 – present: Member, CBPM Strategic Planning Committee
• 2026 – present: Member, PRME Teaching & Curriculum Committee
• 2025 – present: Ambassador, Teaching Excellence Ambassadors of the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)
• 2025 – present: Chair, Course Delivery Subcommittee of the Academic Review Committee of the Curriculum and Academic Policies Council (CAPC)
• 2025 – present: Faculty Member, Sustainability and Social Justice LLC faculty advisors   
• 2025 – present: Member, Sustainability Council Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum
• 2025 – present: Board member of the Rustin Urban Community Changes Axis (RUCCAS)
• 2024 – present: Member, Global Engagement Office (GEO) Council Committee
• 2026: Faculty Member, Teaching Diverse Communities Courses Faculty Learning Community. Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)
• 2025 – 2026: Co-Lead, Campus-Wide Sustainability Course Inventory Project. Office of the Provost.
• 2025: Judge of the student paper competition, Research Day, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Classes Regulary Taught

• GEO 101: World Geography
• GEO 103: Human Geography
• GEO 104: Introduction to Geospatial Technology and Analytics
• GEO 301: Geography of the United States and Canada
• GEO 302: Geography of Latin America
• GEO 332: Environmental Crises
• GEO 341: Landscape Ecology
• GEO 352: Environmental Geopolitics