Biography and expertise
Colleen C. Myles is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. She is a first-generation college student and a former Peace Corps and Americorps Volunteer. She has a PhD in Geography and a MS in Community Development from the University of California, Davis. She is a cultural geographer and political ecologist with specialties in land and environmental management; sustainability; food studies; the geography of wine and beer; and fermented landscapes. She is also a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Specialist of Texas Wine (STW), and Texas Wine Ambassador.
Education
Doctorate Degree
PhD in Geography
Univ of California-Davis, 2012
Master's Degree
MS in Community Development
Univ of California-Davis, 2007
Bachelor's Degree
BA in Liberal Studies and Political Science
Sonoma State University, 2003
Featured grants
- Myles, Colleen Crystal. “Sustainable Future for Texas Wines” Grant, Texas Wine Auction Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $11000. (Submitted: September 15, 2025, Funded: October 15, 2025 - Present). Grant.
- Myles, Colleen Crystal. Wine & Food Foundation Educational Scholarship, Austin Wine & Food Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $1604. (Submitted: September 1, 2025, Funded: October 14, 2025 - Present). Grant.
- Myles, Colleen Crystal. Research Enhancement Program (REP) grant, Texas State University, $8000. (Funded: 2013). Grant.
- Myles, Colleen Crystal. Graduate Studies Travel Award, University of California, Davis, Institutional (Higher Ed). (Funded: 2011). Grant.
- Myles, Colleen Crystal. Oroville Thompson Travel Grant, Community Development Graduate Group in the Department of Human and Community Development, UC Davis, Institutional (Higher Ed). (Funded: April 2007). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Myles, C. C., Bosson, C. B., Lopez, M., Anguiano, N., & Roberts, M. (2024). Roadmap to Sustainability in Texas Wine: Comprehensive Report (Aug 2023-Dec 2024). Fredericksburg, TX, USA: Texas Wine Growers.
- Myles, C. C., Wiley, D., Furness, W., & Sturdivant, K. (2023). Brewing change: Exploring Social, Environmental, & Economic Advocacy in (Craft) Brewing in the United States. Annals of the American Association of Geographers. https://doi.org/10.1080/24694452.2022.2149462
- Myles, C. C., Townsend, C. G., & Collins, K. (2022). Texas in transition: Considering the production of grapes, wine, and place. Journal of Wine Research, 11(448), 1–16. https://doi.org/http://:doi.org 10.3390/socsci11100488
- Myles, C. C., Tobias, M., & McKinnon, I. (2021). ‘A big fish in a small pond’: How Arizona wine country was made. In Agritourism, Wine Tourism, Craft Beer Tourism: Local Responses to peripherality through tourism niches. California, United States.
- Myles, C. C. (2020). Fermented landscapes: Lively processes of socio-environmental transformation. Lincoln, NE, United States: University of Nebraska Press.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Impact Award, Texas Wine Auction Foundation. April 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: Honorary Professor of International Studies, Center for International Studies. January 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: Environmental Educator Award, San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. January 2024
- Award / Honor Nominee: Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, Texas State University (Distance Education). November 2025
- Award / Honor Nominee: Award for Excellence in Online Teaching, Texas State University (Distance Education). November 2024
Featured service activities
- Chair
Search Committee for the Associate/Full Professor of Geographic Education
- Member
Colloquium Committee
- Member
College of Liberal Arts Study Abroad Council
- Other
- Member
Campus Facilities Planning Committee
- Member
Sustainability Graduate Council