TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor, Lake Tahoe Community College (2020-present)

• Human Geography (online)

• California Geography (online)

• Physical Geography (online)

• World Regional Geography (online)

Instructor, Sierra Community College District (2023-present)

• Cultural Geography (online)

• Physical Geography (online)

• Physical Geography Laboratory (online)

• GPS for GIS: Global Positioning System for Geographic Information Systems (online)

Instructor of Record, University of Nevada, Reno (2020)

• Introduction to Human Geography (in-person and online)

Teaching Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno (2016-2021)

• World Regional Geography

• Introduction to Human Geography

• Introduction to Geotechnology (online)

Teaching / Research Assistant, California State University, Stanislaus (2015, 2016)

• Ethnic Geography

• Visual Anthropology

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapters

• Benson, H., & Berry, K. (2024). Reno, Nevada: “I Just Feel Out of Place There” - Punjabi-Sikh Socio-Spatialities in the Biggest Little City in the World. In P. N. McDaniel & D. X. Rodriguez (Eds.), Integration and Receptivity in Immigrant Gateway Metro Regions in the United States (pp. 289-307). Lexington Books.

Journal Articles

• Benson, H., & Helzer, J. (2017). Central Valley culinary landscapes: Ethnic foodways of Sikh transnationals. The California Geographer, 56.

Book Reviews

• Benson, H. (2018). Trespassers? Asian Americans and the battle for suburbia, written by Willow S. Lung-Amam. The California Geographer, 57.

Newsletters

• Benson, H. (2020). Words from a geography alumna: Heather L. Benson. Geographical Focus, 2020-2021.

• Benson, H. (2017). Feature Article, Geographies of food and identity: Ethnic foodways of Central Valley Sikhs. APCG Pacifica, Spring.

• Ream, H. (2014). Sierra Nevada Geotourism Spotlight. Sierra Business Council E-News.

Conference Abstracts

• Benson, H. (2017). Central Valley culinary landscapes: Ethnic foodways of Sikh transnationals. Yearbook of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, 79.

• Ream, H. (2016). Ethnic foodways in the making of transnationals: Central Valley Sikhs. Yearbook of the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers, 78.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

National Conferences

• Benson, H. (2021). Punjabi-Sikh socio-spatialities in an ever-changing world. Making Borders, Changing Borders, Crossing Borders: Nations and Migration paper session, Race, Ethnicity, & Place meeting.

• Benson, H. (2019). Sikh socio-spatialities of the American West. Urgent Issues in Ethnic Geography paper session, American Association of Geographers meeting.

Regional Conferences

• Benson, H. (2016). Central Valley culinary landscapes: Ethnic foodways of Sikh transnationals. Cultural Geographies of Food and Tradition paper session, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers meeting.

• Ream, H. (2016). Preservation or acculturation? Ethnic foodways of Central Valley Sikhs. Poster Session, California Geographical Society meeting.

• Ream, H. (2015). Ethnic foodways in the making of transnationals: Central Valley Sikhs. Geography of Food paper session, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers meeting.

Symposiums

• Benson, H. (2020). Landscapes of antagonism and belonging. GradVenture Lightning Talks, University of Nevada, Reno.

• Benson, H. (2019). Geographies of inclusion/exclusion: A case of Reno Sikhs. GradVenture Lightning Talks, University of Nevada, Reno.

• Benson, H. (2018). Geographies of inclusion and exclusion for Sikhs in Reno, NV. Environmental Perceptions meeting, University of Nevada, Reno.

• Benson, H. (2017). Inclusive Sikhs, exclusive spaces: Cultural landscapes of Reno. Cultural, Political, and Economic Geography paper session, Association of Reno Geographers mini-conference.

• Ream, H. (2014). Sierra Nevada geotourism. GIS Day poster session, California State University, Stanislaus.

• Ream, H., Hanley, N., Drake, E., Lopez, S., & Russell, P. (2013). Sustainable tourism of Turlock. Urban Sustainability and Design meeting, California State University, Stanislaus.

Others

• Benson, H. (2022). In place / out of place: Punjabi-Sikhs in Reno, Nevada. Doctoral Defense, University of Nevada, Reno.

• Ream, H. (2015). Modern geography: Mapping human-environmental interaction. Career Luncheon, Mariposa County High School.

• Ream, H., & Calkins, K. (2009). Urban geography: Downtown Turlock second-story revitalization. Turlock City Council meeting.

GUEST LECTURES

University of Nevada, Reno

• Street science: Tapping local knowledge to understand and combat asthma. (2021). Community Environmental Problems.

• South Asia: Human geography and socio-cultural issues. (2019). World Regional Geography.

• Publication II: Submission and review. (2019). Professional Development.

• A Sikh migration story. (2019). Introduction to Human Geography.

• Geographies of population and migration. (2019). Introduction to Human Geography.

• Agriculture and ethnicity. (2018). Identity and the Environment.

• Political geography: Khalistan. (2018). Introduction to Human Geography.

• Top 10 world religions and their origins: Sikhs in the Western U.S. (2018). Introduction to Human Geography.

• Khalistan: A Sikh separatist movement. (2017). World Regional Geography.

• ‘Sikh-ing’ nationalism: The Khalistan movement. (2017). World Regional Geography.

• North America: Urbanization, population, and gender. (2017). World Regional Geography.

• Racialized landscapes. (2017). Identity and the Environment.

• Local foodways and slow food. (2016). Introduction to Human Geography.

California State University, Stanislaus

• Seeking Sikhs: An exploration of the Central Valley Sikh landscape - ESRI StoryMap. (2016). GIS Lab Showcase.

• A California Sikh experience. (2015). A California Ethnic Experience.

• Obtaining data from Census and American FactFinder. (2014). Advanced Geographic Information Systems.

• Downtown businesses, past and present: AIA’s 10 principles of livable communities. (2013). Urban Sustainability and Design.

• Death Valley landscapes. (2010). Field study facilitator.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

• Mackay Graduate Scholar, University of Nevada, Reno—$8,000 (2017)

• Chafee Grant, California Student Aid Commission—$2,500 each, $5,000 total (2005, 2006)

• Viola Vestal Coulter Graduate Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno—$2,750 (2019)

• John Joseph Crowley Endowed Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno—$1,100 each, $2,200 total (2018, 2019)

• Christopher Exline Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno—$1,200 (2020)

• Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (SERSCA) Graduate Assistantship Grant, California State University, Stanislaus—$1,200 (2015)

• Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno—$1,000 (2020)

• Opal F. Adams Scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno—$1,000 (2020)

• Larry Ford Cultural Geography Fieldwork Scholarship, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers—$500 (2015)

• Graduate Student Association Travel Grant, University of Nevada, Reno—$500 each, $1,500 total (2017, 2018, 2019)

• American Association of Geographers World Geography Bowl Grant, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers—$200 (2019)

• Student Travel Grant, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers—$200 (2015)

• Women’s Network Travel Grant, Association of Pacific Coast Geographers—$200 (2015)

• Student Travel Grant, California Geographical Society—$100 (2016)

TEACHING INTERESTS

• Human-Cultural Geography

• World Regional Geography

• Ethnic Geography / Ethnic Studies

• California Geography

• Regional Studies: The American West, North America, and South Asia

• World Affairs / Global Issues

• Geography of Religion / World Religions

• Food and Agriculture / Global Food Systems

• Urban Geography

• Environmental Justice

• Population and Migration

• Peoples, Places, and Environments

• Transnationalism and Diaspora Studies

• Introduction to Physical Geography / Physical Geography Lab

• Global Positioning Systems

• Geography of Wine

• Professional Development

AWARDS

• Certificate of Recognition, AP Human Geography Exam, ETS College Board AP Reading (2024)

• Commitment & Excellence, Community Development Department, Town of Truckee (2022)

• Outstanding Graduate Student, Graduate Student Association, University of Nevada, Reno (2020)

• 1st Place, Student Research Poster Competition, California Geographical Society (2016)

• Outstanding Student Achiever, California State University, Stanislaus (2015)

• Dean’s Award of Excellence, Outstanding Academic Achievement, California State University, Stanislaus (2009, 2010, 2015)

• Certificate of Appreciation, Stanislaus GIS Day, California State University, Stanislaus (2015)

• Dean’s List, California State University, Stanislaus (2009)

• Certificate of Appreciation, Department of Geography and the Office of Service-Learning, California State University, Stanislaus (2009)

• Dean’s List, Merced Community College (2006, 2007)

LEADERSHIP & ACADEMIC SERVICE

• Evaluator, East Asia Poster Session, Student World Water Forum, University of Nevada, Reno (2024)

• AP Reader, Advanced Placement Program, Educational Testing Services (ETS) (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)

• Evaluator, Water and Well-Being Poster Session, Student World Water Forum, University of Nevada, Reno (2022)

• Evaluator, Water Infrastructure Poster Session, Student World Water Forum, University of Nevada, Reno (2021)

• Moderator, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Water Poster Session, Student World Water Forum, University of Nevada, Reno (2020)

• President, Geography Graduate Club, University of Nevada, Reno (2019)

• Northern California Student Representative, California Geographical Society (2016-2018)

• GradVenture Student Coordinator, University of Nevada, Reno (2019)

• Director Search Committee, University of Nevada, Reno (2018-2019)

• Waldo Award Committee, University of Nevada, Reno (2019, 2020)

• Tribal Water Quality Governance Project Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno (2018)

• Faculty-Graduate Student Representative, University of Nevada, Reno (2018)

• Social Media and Outreach Coordinator, Geography Graduate Club, University of Nevada, Reno (2017-2018)

• Uber Judge, Poster Competition, California Geographical Society (2018)

• Judge, Poster Competition, California Geographical Society (2017)

• Student Travel Award Fundraiser Coordinator, California Geographical Society (2016-2018)

REVIEWER FOR ACADEMIC JOURNALS

• The California Geographer (2017-present)

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

• Canvas Accessibility 101, Professional & Organizational Development Department, Sierra College (2024)

• WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind), California Community Colleges (2024)

• Online Teaching Boot-Up Training, Professional & Organizational Development Department, Sierra College (2023)

• Keenan Safe Colleges Training, Vector Solutions (2020, 2023)

• Preventing Harassment and Discrimination, EVERFI Inc. Training, University of Nevada, Reno (2020)

• Intersections: Preventing Harassment & Sexual Violence, EDU-US Training, University of Nevada, Reno (2019)

• Social Behavioral Training for Human Research Oversight Responsibilities (THOR), IRBNet Training, University of Nevada, Reno (2018)

• Introductory Proposal Development Training, Department of Research and Innovation, University of Nevada, Reno (2018)

• Implicit Bias / Search Chair and Committee Training, Department of Faculty Recruitment, University of Nevada, Reno (2018)

• Adventure Diver, PADI Advanced, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (2015)

• Open Water Diver, Scuba Schools International, Koh Tao, Thailand (2013)

FILM & MEDIA

• Lyle, C. (2022). Town of Truckee Recommended Plant List: Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO). Community Development Department, Town of Truckee. (Dahn, Y., & Benson, H., editors)

• Multani, M. (2021). Punjab to California: Indian farmers bring sustainable practices to the states. The Bull Mag, Spring/Summer 2021: Creating community through food. Pierce College. (Benson, H., scholar interviewee)

• Benson, H. (2020). Messages from geography alumni. Stanislaus State Geography website. California State University, Stanislaus.

• Benson, J. (2017). Mountain bike Tahoe, 50 select singletrack routes. Mountaineers. (Benson, H., photography assistant)

• Ream, H. & Caballero, S. (2016). Office of International Education. Brochure map. California State University, Stanislaus.

• Ream, H., & Helzer, J. (2015). HAPA project (modified). Ethnic Geography display. California State University, Stanislaus.

• Old Machine. (2015). Don’t fence me in, Winter 2015-2016. Travel Nevada. Commercial. (Ream, H., model)

• Ream, H., Casas, S., Burman, M., Garcia, L., & Irigoyen, G. (2014). Hanamatsuri. Ethnographic film. Visual Anthropology Film Festival.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Resource Conservationist I, Lake Tahoe Environmental Inspection Program (EIP), Tahoe Resource Conservation District, Truckee, CA (2017-2020)

• Field Technician / Drafter, Freeman & Seaman Land Surveyors, Mariposa, CA (2008-2013, 2015-2016)

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

• Planning Committee, MCHS Class of 2003 Reunion, Mariposa, CA (2023)

• Party Planning Committee, Town of Truckee, Truckee, CA (2022)

• Petitioner, Protect Donner Lake from Aquatic Invasive Species, Truckee, CA (2018-2019)

• Trail Maintenance Volunteer, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA), Lake Tahoe, CA/NV (2016-2019)

• Event/Fundraiser Assistant, Friends of Mountain Crisis Services, Mariposa, CA (2015-2016)

• Water Quality Monitor, Upper Merced River Watershed Council, Mariposa, CA (2010-2013)

• Docent/Event Assistant, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Mariposa, CA (2010-2013)

• Event/Fundraiser Assistant, Mariposa Community Playhouse, Mariposa, CA (2011-2012)

• Foster Youth Mentor, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Mariposa, CA (2010-2012)

• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), Cagnes-sur-Mer, Côte d’Azur, France (2011)

LANGUAGES

• English—expert

• French—intermediate

COMPUTER SKILLS

Expert

• AutoCAD

• ESRI Story Maps

• Carlson Survey

• CG Survey

• Trimble Geomatics

• Parcel Quest

• TOPO!

• Google Earth

• Audio / Paper Transcription

• Typing (60 WPM, 100% accuracy)

• Closed Captioning / Subtitling

• Video Recording / Editing

• WebCampus, Canvas, Blackboard

• MS Office: PowerPoint, Excel, Word

• Apple: Keynote, Numbers, Pages

• Google Drive and Docs

• Dropbox and OneDrive

• Info Retriever

• Quick Books

• Social Media

Intermediate

• ArcGIS Pro

• ArcGIS / ArcGIS Online

• Field Maps / Field Maps Designer

• ArcCatalogue

• QGIS

• New World Systems

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Geographical Society (AGS)

• Association of Reno Geographers (ARG)

• California Geographical Society (CGS)

• Association of Pacific Coast Geographers (APCG)

• American Association of Geographers (AAG)

• Race, Ethnicity, & Place (REP)

• California Geographic Alliance (CGA)

• Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD)

• Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)

REFERENCES

Available upon request.