Driven by a vision to achieve collaborative, inclusive, and integrated research and education for sustainable development, Dr. Patricia Solís has created innovative programs for youth leadership and global citizenship engaging nearly 4,000 students, teachers, and professors in 35 countries, including the U.S. and many developing nations.
She has been awarded $8 million in grants for more than 40 geographic perspectives and technology initiatives helping people develop solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. Solís' research broadens participation of underrepresented minorities, international students and faculty in 70 university geography departments. Her work has been featured at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, adopted by the Organization of American States, and funded by the National Science Foundation.
Previously, as community development director for the City of Liberal, Kan., her projects earned the Diversity Award from the National League of Cities and the Community Achievement Award from the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing. A native Kansan, Solís earned bachelor’s degrees in physics and German and a master’s degree in geography from K-State, and a doctorate in geography from the University of Iowa. She resides in Panama with her husband and two sons.