Drawing upon 45 years of professional experience in education, Dr. Douglas C. Munski has excelled as a professor in the Department of Geography at the University of North Dakota since 1978. During his tenure as an educator, he also served as chairperson of the Department of Geography from 1999 to 2001 and again since 2020. Over the course of his career at the academic institution, Dr. Munski has received numerous accolades, including a National Academic Advising Award and a National Teaching Award. Most recently, in 2021, he earned the Outstanding Course Development Award from the University of North Dakota.
To prepare for his career, Dr. Munski pursued a formal education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He received a Bachelor of Science in education and geography in 1974, followed by a Master of Arts in geography, with a minor in urban planning, in 1975. Dr. Munski concluded his education in 1978, at which point he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in geography with a minor in urban planning.
Dr. Munski has remained abreast of developments in his field through his affiliation with several organizations. A member-at-large of the Canadian Association of Geographers Regional Group, he has also been recognized as a life member of the National Council for Geographic Education. Additionally, he is a member of the American Association of Geographers and the American Geographical Society.
From a young age, Dr. Munski was instilled with the value of an excellent education and providing service to his community. Well-regarded in his profession, he was determined to excel in the field of education following his graduation from college. He also attributes much of his success to his upbringing, particularly the teachers and professors he held in high regard during his academic studies. He is especially proud of teaching the grandchildren of the students he formerly had in the late 1970s and early 1980s, representing the continuity and timelessness of education. Furthermore, Dr. Munski greatly values the importance of family, community and being a good citizen in every sense of the word.