Meeting Workforce Needs with Virtual GIST (Geospatial Information Science Technology): The story of one community college’s quest to create remote access to GIST education in Upstate New York

Keywords: Geospatial education, workforce, micro-credential, virtual internships, study abroad, GIS, community college
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 34

Abstract

This talk provides a first-hand account from two NSF ATE grant PI’s on a mission to provide remote access to GIST education in and beyond Upstate New York. The speakers will review and elaborate on goals of the grant which include: building an A.A.S. Degree in GIST and an advanced GIST micro-credential by adding 3 new courses and updating existing courses. The GIST program has provided online students with an “Open” GIST lab with virtual student tutors and alumni GIST mentors, and virtual GIST internships. The PI’s have delivered innovative outreach to public and college librarians, who have in return given introductory GIS students support finding GIST data. Social media has played an important part in informing the GIST community about the program, including introductory GIST students and GIST Professionals. The talk will also include an overview on the status of the objectives, successes and obstacles, and the perspective of a student turned educator/co-PI as a direct result of participating in the community college’s GIST program. Highlights include the participation of a hybrid study abroad program that sought to increase cultural awareness through collaboration between students in New York and in Cartagena, Colombia. The talk will also highlight the continued success of the online GIS tutoring program as well as the college’s award-winning Mapping Club focused on humanitarian mapping.