AFFILIATE PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY

148 Padnos Hall of Science
One Campus Drive
Allendale, Michigan 49401-9403
Office Telephone: (616)-331-5046
Office Fax: (616)-331-3740
Electronic Mail: [email protected] 

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Geology (2021) Oregon State University

M.S., Geology (2014) University of North Carolina at Charlotte

B.A., Geology (2012) State University of New York College at Geneseo

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Grand Valley State University, Geology Department, Affiliate Faculty (2023-present)

Linn-Benton Community College, Physical Science Department, Adjunct Faculty (2022-2023)

Mount St. Helens Institute, WA, Education Instructor (2018-present)

Allegheny College, Geology Department, Adjunct Faculty (2022)

Lane Community College, Earth and Environmental Science Department, Laboratory Coordinator (2021-2022)

Calapooia Watershed Council, OR, Outdoor School Educator (2021)

Oregon State University, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Instructor (2017-2019)

Oregon State University, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Graduate Teaching Employee (2015-2021)

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Earth Sciences Department, Instructor (2014)

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

​​​​​​Postdoctoral Research Associate, The University of Oklahoma, School of Geosciences (2022-2023)

COURSES

GEO 100: Environmental Geology

GEO 111: Exploring Geology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My area of research is at the intersection of petrology, volcanology, and geochemistry, where I investigate the dynamic processes that shape underwater volcanism using mineral, chemical, and petrographic analyses of ocean lavas. Currently I am involved in geoscience education research, specifically examining diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in geoscience faculty evaluation systems.

Recent Projects: 

National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Workshop Host: Part II: developing evaluation systems that value diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

A. Kotash, M. Woodle, J. Bhattacharya, M.E. Elwood Madden, A. Cerato, M. Fahs, J. Irungu, E. Martin, L. Snyder, G. Soreghan: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2022 Fall Meeting Presentation – (1) Raising our expectations for JEDI work in geoscience faculty evaluation systems: an insight into who sustains this work and what motivates faculty to be engaged (2) Is DEI Work Valued? A Survey of Geoscience Faculty

A. Kotash, M. Woodle, J. Bhattacharya, M.E. Elwood Madden, A. Cerato, M. Fahs, J. Irungu, E. Martin, L. Snyder, G. Soreghan: Earth Educators Rendezvous 2022 Conference and Justice in Geoscience AGU Chapman Conference Poster and Abstract –Raising our expectations for JEDI work in geoscience faculty evaluation systems: an insight into who sustains this work and what motivates faculty to be engaged

A. Kotash and M.E. Elwood Madden: STEM for All Video Showcase Video Presentation 2022 – Recognizing and Rewarding DEI Work in Faculty Evaluation

A. Kotash: Pomona College Geology Department Virtual Colloquium Presentation 2021– Lower crust and upper mantle magmatic roots at Lucky Strike Volcano revealed by plagioclase-hosted melt inclusions

A. Kotash, F. Tepley, R. Nielsen, and B. Bodnar: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2019 Fall Meeting Poster – CO2 and H2O in plagioclase-hosted melt inclusions from ocean-ridge lavas: An indicator of crystallization in the lower oceanic crust

A. Kotash, H. Rolston, A. Kramer, and M. Vignal: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2019 Fall Meeting Poster – Efforts to establish a university-wide graduate learning outcome to promote DEI competency among STEM graduate students

A. Kotash and J. Bender: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2014 Fall Meeting Poster – Petrography and geochemistry of high silica East Pacific Rise glasses: Implications for melt production and transport.

A. Kotash, D. Mogk, D. Henry, D. Farthing: Geological Society of America Rocky Mountain Section Meeting (2012) Poster – Characterization of the petrogenesis, architecture, and evolution of the Wyoming Craton, Albuquerque, NM 5