Sarah Praskievicz, associate professor in the department of geography, environment, and sustainability at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, passed away on August 11 after a 15-month battle with cancer. She was 39 years old.
After graduating from high school at age 16, Dr. Praskievicz enrolled at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, to complete her associate’s degree. She went to receive a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Southern Oregon University, a master’s degree in geography from Portland State University, and a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Oregon.
Dr. Praskievicz began her career in academia as an assistant professor at the University of Alabama. In 2018, she joined the UNC Greensboro faculty as an associate professor. There, she taught and conducted research in the areas of hydrologly, fluvial geomorphology, and water resources. Throughout her career, she authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and was awarded several grants from various agencies, including the National Science Foundation.


