Center of Academic Excellence in Geospatial Sciences

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have formally designated GEO and NCGIA as a Center of Academic Excellence in geospatial sciences education and research, with recognized strengths in geospatial analysis, mapping and design, and remote sensing/imagery analysis. As a Center of Academic Excellence, GEO and NCGIA will work cooperatively with these federal agencies to build, strengthen, and cultivate the current and future geospatial sciences workforce in support of America’s geospatial intelligence needs and challenges.

“We’re now going to be more attuned to the needs of these federal agencies with regard to geospatial science, which is a huge opportunity for our students,” says Sean Bennett, professor and chair of the Department of Geography. “By aligning ourselves with these two very large agencies, we’re hopefully going to create a pipeline for our students who want to work in government, and also in the private sector. We’re now living in a digital world where every sector of society has a need for graduates with the latest knowledge in geospatial sciences,” (from C. Hsu, UBNow, 10/3/17).