Patrick Shabram

Patrick Shabram is a Professor of Geography at Front Range Community College's Larimer Campus, holding an M.A. in Geography from San Jose State University and a B.A. in Geography from the University of Colorado Boulder. After transitioning from private industry to full-time academia at age 42, he specializes in teaching introductory physical geography while maintaining active professional engagement in viticultural geography.

His educational background includes:

• M.A. in Geography, San Jose State University
• B.A. in Geography, University of Colorado Boulder

Professor Shabram's research integrates earth sciences with practical applications in American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation, analyzing climate, soils, and topography to determine regionally unique winegrowing characteristics. His expertise spans Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geospatial technology, and viticultural practices, with significant professional contributions to TTB petition processes where 40% of his work involves technical writing. He emphasizes student-focused pedagogy and interdisciplinary networking as critical success factors in community college education.

His collaborative work includes a multi-year NSF-funded student initiative developed through professional networking, demonstrating how connections with external institutions create tangible educational opportunities. In faculty hiring, he prioritizes candidates demonstrating genuine commitment to classroom instruction over research credentials.

Professor Shabram advises aspiring geography educators to gain diverse teaching experience and maintain geographic flexibility, noting that full-time community college positions are highly competitive due to faculty longevity. He finds profound satisfaction in witnessing students' academic and career transformations following their time at FRCC.