Jared Beeton

Jared Beeton, Ph.D. serves as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the School of Arts & Sciences and Associate Professor of Environment & Sustainability at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. With expertise in environmental geography, Dr. Beeton teaches courses in environmental studies, research methods, and natural resource management. His academic leadership extends beyond the classroom as he guides curriculum development and academic programming within the Arts & Sciences division.

Dr. Beeton's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Kansas
• M.A. in Earth Sciences from the University of Northern Colorado
• B.S. in Park Resource Management

As an environmental geographer, Dr. Beeton pursues three major research avenues: 1) mountain river systems and their responses to climate change, humans, and intrinsic controls; 2) guitar tone woods and their relationship to deforestation and climate change; and 3) soils and paleoenvironmental analyses. His interdisciplinary approach bridges physical geography, environmental science, cultural studies, and resource management, with fieldwork focused primarily in Colorado's San Luis Valley and San Juan Mountains. He has published in prestigious journals including Nature and Quaternary Research, as well as regional publications and popular science magazines.

Dr. Beeton's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on Quaternary science, geomorphology, and environmental change in the American Southwest. His work increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, particularly examining the intersection of environmental science with cultural practices like guitar manufacturing. A notable trend is his commitment to undergraduate research, with many publications featuring student co-authors working on projects ranging from paleoenvironmental reconstructions to contemporary resource management issues.

Dr. Beeton has received significant recognition for his teaching excellence:

• Nomination for Exemplary Professor
• Nomination for Excellence in Student Engagement
• Nomination for Excellence in Student Centered Instruction
• Presidential Teaching Award finalist (twice)

Dr. Beeton is deeply committed to undergraduate research mentorship, regularly involving students in fieldwork and publication. His students have co-authored numerous conference presentations and journal articles across topics including paleoenvironmental reconstruction, water rights, species reintroduction, and sustainable material sourcing. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, his extensive publication record with student collaborators suggests successful funding for research projects that provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences.

Though specific laboratory facilities aren't mentioned in the provided text, Dr. Beeton's research appears to involve field-based investigations across multiple sites in Colorado, particularly the San Luis Valley and San Juan Mountains. His work integrates methods from geomorphology, soil science, paleoenvironmental analysis, and cultural geography, suggesting a collaborative approach that likely involves partnerships with other researchers and institutions.