Chris Willer

Chris Willer serves as an Instructor in Kent State University's Department of Geography, teaching courses including Geography of U.S. & Canada, Cities & Urbanization, World Geography, and Physical Geography Lab. His doctoral research examines place marketing through the National Main Street Program.

Research focuses on:

• Urban branding and place promotion
• GIS applications in community planning
• Socio-spatial dimensions of neighborhood change
• Urban policy impacts on community identity

Publications explore neighborhood branding dynamics, COVID-19 decision-making, and college town development. Recent work analyzes place marketing networks across US small towns and community rebranding in Buffalo, NY.

Awards include:

• 2017 Kent State GSA International Travel Award
• 2017 NASA-Ohio Space Grant Consortium funding