I earned my PhD in Geography from UTK last May. At UTK, I worked with Dr. Kelsey Ellis and my dissertation focused on aspects of the hurricane climatology of the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins. Using statistical methods, I analyzed trends and patterns in tropical cyclone occurrence dates and the behavior of tropical cyclones prior to landfall, specifically intensity change and translation speed. In addition to my dissertation research, I worked with Dr. Ellis on other projects involving co-located tornado and flash flood warnings and perceptions of climate change in the Knoxville area. I was also particularly involved in teaching and taught three different courses in the department (Natural Hazards, Climate Change and Human Response, and Meteorology) and served as an instructor with the First Year Studies Program during my fourth year. As a result of my teaching efforts, I was proud to be awarded the Citation for Extraordinary Graduate Student Teaching by the Provost’s office and the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate award from UTK Geography and Sustainability.Outside of the classroom and my research , I was (and still am) a huge Vol and Lady Vol fan, having attended approximately 175 Tennessee athletics events over my four years at UTK.

Since August, I have been on the faculty at the University of Tampa, serving as our specialist in atmospheric science in the Department of Environmental Studies. At UTampa, I teach sections of our non-majors’ Environmental Science course, as well as the second course of our introductory sequence in Environmental Studies for majors, which mostly focuses on climate change science and mitigation. In the upper division, I have developed a new course in Atmospheric Science that was offered for the first time at UTampa in Fall 2023. Over the next few years, I will be developing new courses in introductory geoscience/physical geography and natural hazards, as well as pick up sections of the capstone course for our Environmental Studies and Sustainability minors. I am currently working with UTampa undergraduate students on a variety of research projects spanning the breadth of hazards climatology, including on hurricane history and patterns in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, variability in dry spell events, and perceptions and understanding of hurricane hazards among UTampa undergraduate students.

Before my time at UTK, I earned my BS in Meteorology from the University of South Alabama and my MS in Geography from LSU. I am originally from just outside of Hartford, Connecticut.

I have two messages to current UTK undergraduate and graduate students. The first is to never be afraid to do something outside of the box or to go against the grain. It might just lead you somewhere you would never expect. The second is to remember there is ALWAYS time to go support the Vols and Lady Vols. It might just lead you to some memories that you’ll never forget.

University of Tampa webpage: https://www.ut.edu/directory/grondin-nicholas.