Niccole Villa Cerveny, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Geography & Sustainability

Program Director:

Cultural Science, Philosophy & Religious Studies

Social Science and Justice Studies

Office: SC 14 - Room: 63

480-461-7306

480-461-7306 (alt)

Office Hours

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM12:00 PM - 1:00 PM12:00 PM - 1:00 PM12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 
    By appointment

Office hours are held in the Geography Laboratory (SC-30). If you need to meet with me at a different time, please send me an email ([email protected]) or a CANVAS Inbox message, so we can schedule an appointment or online meeting.

Profile

Niccole Villa Cerveny is a professor of Geography at Mesa Community College specializing in geosciences, environmental science, conservation of cultural resources, and undergraduate research. She obtained her doctorate from Arizona State University in 2005 under the direction of Guggenheim Fellow, Dr. Ronald I. Dorn. Her research has ranged from studying climatic relationships through detrital quartz to the conservation of ancient rock art and inscriptions around the world. Her interests combine geoscience practices to cultural heritage challenges. Engaging her own students in rock art research for the National Parks, she has further developed training for geo-education and geo-tourism in Iceland, Jordan, and México. Working locally and nationally she has facilitated numerous workshops to broaden participation in undergraduate research among two-year colleges, and serves on the US National Committee on the International Union of Geosciences (USNC-IUGS). Her current research focuses on the pedagogy of virtual reality and sense of place to increase accessibility to the geosciences.

Classes Taught

Spring 2025

GCU121 World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere 3 Credits

Description and analysis of spatial variations in culture, social, economic, and political phenomena in major world regions. Emphasis on the major cultural realms of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: Global Awareness [G], Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
32664

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 03/07/2025

Class Ended

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

GPH113 Physical Geography: Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Water, and Hazards 4 Credits

Earth's physical processes and impacts on human environments via the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Topics and practical experiences include severe weather, climate change, biomes / ecosystems, landform processes; mountain building and erosion by rivers, glaciers, waves, wind, and using various topographic mapping data.

Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
27974
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
MoWe
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Class Started

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

iBelong Student Success Initiative. Class 27974: is part of “iBelong” utilizing an iPad to complete coursework. Please visit our iBelong website for more information on student iPad checkouts. https://www.mesacc.edu/ibelong

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 27974 must also register for .

26305
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
TuTh
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Class Started

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

iBelong Student Success Initiative. Class 26305: is part of “iBelong” utilizing an iPad to complete coursework. Please visit our iBelong website for more information on student iPad checkouts. https://www.mesacc.edu/ibelong

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 26305 must also register for .

27975
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
MoWe
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 27975 must also register for .

26306
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 26306 must also register for .

Fall 2025

GPH113 Physical Geography: Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Water, and Hazards 4 Credits

Earth's physical processes and impacts on human environments via the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. Topics and practical experiences include severe weather, climate change, biomes / ecosystems, landform processes; mountain building and erosion by rivers, glaciers, waves, wind, and using various topographic mapping data.

Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
23879
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025
MoWe
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

21 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 23879 must also register for .

24457
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
08/26/2025 – 12/19/2025
TuTh
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

5 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 24457 must also register for .

23880
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025
MoWe
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

21 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 23880 must also register for .

24458
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
08/26/2025 – 12/19/2025
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

5 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 24458 must also register for .

GPH210 Society and Environment 3 Credits

Principles of physical geography relating to environmental problems pertinent to contemporary society. Pollution, maladjusted land use, resource exploitation.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.

General Education Designations: Global Awareness [G]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
32709

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 10/17/2025

Open

24 of 25
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class 32709 students may contact instructor at [email protected]

Fall Flex Start 2025

GCU113 United States and Arizona Social Studies 3 Credits

Overview of government, history, and geography of the United States and Arizona. Includes the relationship of Arizona to the U.S. government as well as the influences and developments that have shaped U.S. and Arizona history. Also covers geographical systems, regions, and study techniques. Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: Historical Awareness [H], Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
32714

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Closed

No Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

33265

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

17 of 25
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

POS113 United States and Arizona Social Studies 3 Credits

Overview of government, history, and geography of the United States and Arizona. Includes the relationship of Arizona to the U.S. government as well as the influences and developments that have shaped U.S. and Arizona history. Also covers geographical systems, regions, and study techniques. Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: Historical Awareness [H], Social-Behavioral Sciences [SB]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
23027

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Closed

No Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

33266

Online Course

Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

17 of 25
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Degrees & Awards

Degrees:

  • 2005 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography, specializing in Geomorphology
  • 2000 Master of Arts (MA) in Geography, specializing in Geomorphology
  • 1993 Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accountancy

Awards & Appointments:

  • 2021-Present Member, US National Committee on the International Union of Geosciences
  • 2024 Arizona Master Teacher
  • 2019 Teaching Consultant, Arizona Geographic Alliance
  • 2013 Mesa Chamber of Commerce Professor of the Year
  • 2005 Salzburg Seminar Fellow

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