NAU Grand Canyon Semester

03/11/2026

GCS is an outdoor experiential learning program. If you want to see what that looks like, watch this video made by a 2024 alumna. What you might notice is students meeting with professionals in the field, meeting with personnel from GCNP, and taking a lot of agency for their learning. You might also notice some pretty fun adventures. Also, as you might already know that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was burned by a devastating forest fire last summer. Some of the places in this video are completely burned now, including parts of the North Rim campground. The dedicated staff at GCNP have been working hard to rebuild the infrastructure on the North Rim and we have learned that the North Rim will triumphantly open to visitors May 15th, 2026. Also of note is that our upcoming GCS 2026 program will be returning to the North Rim in 2026 to lend a hand at rebuilding some of the lost and damaged infrastructure there. We have room for just one or two more students in this amazing program. Reach out and apply! grand Grand Canyon Conservancy grand Grand Canyon Trust grand Grand Canyon National Park

11/13/2025

This headline should read: "No one knows what's going on." Upper and Lower basin states have not been able to come to an agreement on how to cut water use from the Colorado River. The federal government is expected to step in in 2026 and make water restrictions, but it does not seem like they know what to do either. No one seems to know what the future holds for the Colorado River and the 40 Million people and seven states that it serves including AZ, CA And CO.

The seven states in the Colorado River Basin were unable to reach an agreement on the river’s management, but talks continue.

11/10/2025

GCS 2026 Application in now open! Use this link for information about the program and to access the application. Email questions to [email protected]

– Maddie, GCS 2012 from Flagstaff, Arizona The Grand Canyon Semester offers a life-changing learning experience in the high mountains of northern Arizona and the deep canyon country of the Colorado…

12/10/2024

GCS started in 1978 and is still going strong in 2024. One look at these pictures and you will know why we keep doing this. Anne Zwinger said there is something "down there." Down there is so vital, so important, so beautiful, so life affirming that it invokes our fierce protection instincts. We do it for the people "up here" and for the "down there."

12/02/2024

Time flies, as the saying goes. The plane we call GCS took flight, soared at 30,000 ft, and now we are bringing it down for a landing. SO many trips, so much learning, so much personal transformation. This is a slightly random photo dump. Some are photos from our study of land management practices at Hat Ranch, a historic property previously owned the Roosevelt family, yes those Roosevelts, and currently owned by NAU. Some pics are from our study of post fire flooding on Mt. Elden. Oh, and there is a picture with a horse and cat in the same frame! Not sure it gets better than that! Hope you enjoy!

10/20/2024

The Colorado River is an ecosystem of rock and water, substrate and vegetation, wildlife species and people. When we are there we see rocks and a flowing river. What we don't see as readily is the myriad people that are managing this landscape to keep it protected and functioning. I am thinking now about every person that makes a trip like this possible. From dam operators to NPS employees, to river guides, hydrologists, fish biologists, wildlife biologists, entomologists, river outfitters far from the canyon, helicopter pilots, helicopter mechanics, Indigenous tribes, Indigenous leaders, park rangers, search and rescue, the department of public safety, EMT's, paramedics, all the way down to your van driver who dropped you off or picked you up. The Grand Canyon is an ecosystem of people as much as it is an ecosystem of rock, water, and wildlife. To all the PEOPLE of the Grand Canyon, thank you.

09/30/2024

Drought is a constant threat here in the West. One of our largest reservoirs Lake Powell is only 40% full. Two years ago it was 25% full. In GCS we study all the issues impacting the Colorado Plateau. This is how we study dam and reservoir management, by boat. We can educate the mind by reading papers and we can educate the heart and body by being out on the water paddling on the lake and through side canyons. On this trip students studied dam management, lake levels, tourism, and invasive species management such as quagga mussels and striped bass, all the while making lasting memories with this environment. For more pics follow us on Instagram

08/30/2024

Curious about GCS? Curious what experiential education looks like? Well here you go! It looks like lots of smiles, learning outdoors, time for reflection, building relationships, building community, opportunity to discover the world and one's place in it. Thank you for following us and enjoy this sneak peek into GCS 2024.

08/07/2024

Seasonal Soils Technician based out of Flagstaff

This is a temporary position located on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent is assigned a variety of complex and recurring technical duties, individually, or as a crew member or designated crew leader in support of the soil resource.

03/27/2024

Would you like to work in outdoor education? GCS is hiring a fulltime resident director for the 2024 program, Aug to Dec.

Position Description
The Grand Canyon Semester (GCS) seeks a Resident Director (RD) to serve as a mentor and positive role model to the GCS students. The RD will work as a part of the faculty team to plan and implement learning experiences related to the Grand Canyon Region. This will include, but is not limited to, organizing and participating in field trips, facilitating a positive group dynamic while in the field, organizing cook crews and clean-up crews, river and backpacking trips, service learning projects, and student research projects. The RD will also schedule social activities, study breaks, and mini-adventures that facilitate student interaction with the Flagstaff, NAU, and Grand Canyon community. Ideally, the RD will be experienced in experiential and outdoor education and be comfortable in a leadership role in the field as well as be able to instruct undergraduate students on field etiquette, safety, expedition behavior, and team building.

The RD will provide overnight student support in the residence hall, which may include conversations with anxious students, advice and consult about students’ academic and personal issues, conflict mediation among students, or responding to student emergencies. The RD will work closely with the Academic Director when responding to student issues; however, there may be times when the RD needs to independently respond to situations in order to maintain student wellbeing.

The RD will hold regular office hours, attend GCS faculty meetings, prep and attend nearly all field trips and complete required GCS reports. The RD will frequently be asked to drive an 11-passenger van (van certification opportunities will be provided). The primary role of the GCS Resident Director is to assist the Resident Director in planning and administering the GCS program and advocating on behalf of the students to the Academic Director, faculty, and university. The RD will also be expected to help the students and faculty members remember to have fun - a lot of fun.

Minimum Qualifications
 B.A. or B.S. degree in any field; honors experience helpful.
 Multidisciplinary academic training or an appreciation for multiple academic disciplines; respect for diverse ways of knowing and being.
 Interest in working with a dynamic, multidisciplinary, collaborative instructional team in a fast-paced experiential learning environment.
 High level of emotional maturity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to listen to students.
 Ability to understand students’ problems, concerns, goals, and advocate to the GCS Academic Director and Faculty on behalf of the students.
 Ability to receive directions, clarify what is needed, and work independently on task given by the Academic Director with minimal supervision.
 Willingness to obtain First Aid (4 hours) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (4 hours) certification prior to course start.
 Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to obtain NAU 11-passenger van driver certification (during staff orientation) as well as drive vans during the course.
 Reports directly to the Academic Director.

Preferred Qualifications
 High school, community college, or university-level teaching or student leadership experience.
 Ability to facilitate team-building activities, engage students in discussions about the course material and related issues, and make people laugh.
 Familiarity with the Grand Canyon Region, Flagstaff, and local cultural, ecological, social issues.
 Experience working with high achieving students from a variety of backgrounds.
 Master’s degree of higher.
 Wilderness First Responder (80 hours) certification.

Timeline
 Contract dates: August 15 – December 15, 2024.
 Semester dates: August 22 – December 10, 2024.

Compensation
 Compensation includes studio apartment housing for contract dates and a $10,000 stipend.

Application Materials
 Cover Letter
 CV
 Names and contact information of 3 references

Application Deadline is April 15th, 2024

Send application materials to:
[email protected]