Gloria Howerton

Gloria Howerton is an Assistant Professor in the Geography and Anthropology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire within the College of Arts and Sciences, with a secondary appointment in the Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department. Her interdisciplinary work bridges geography, critical race theory, and educational justice.

Education:

• BA in Geography, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (minor: Environmental Studies)
• MA in Geography, University of Georgia
• PhD in Geography, University of Georgia
• Graduate Certificate in GIS, University of Georgia

Dr. Howerton's research critically examines how racial discourse shapes educational policies and spatial inequalities, with emphasis on youth geographies and environmental justice. She investigates the political geography of ethnic studies bans, particularly analyzing Arizona's anti-Mexican American Studies legislation through frameworks of critical race theory and spatial justice. Her work consistently centers the agency of youth of color in resisting oppressive educational structures.

Her recent publications—including the 2023 edited volume Critical Geographies of Youth and multiple high-impact journal articles—reveal consistent engagement with law, policy, and power dynamics in educational contexts. These works demonstrate methodological diversity spanning discourse analysis, critical policy studies, and qualitative geography, all converging on themes of racial justice and spatial resistance.

Professional recognition includes:

• Feminist Scholar Award, UWEC Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (2024)
• Feminist Service Award, UWEC Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (2024)

While specific details about student advising and grant funding are not provided in available materials, her research assistance for the 2016 Center for Popular Democracy report on Atlanta school takeovers indicates community-engaged scholarship. No dedicated research labs or teams are mentioned in the source text.