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Building a (Community College) GIS Program

Building a (Community College) GIS Program. July, 2008 James Madison University. Michael J. (Mike) Krimmer, PhD mkrimmer@nvcc.edu 703.200.8095 www.nvcc.edu/gis. Discussion Topics . Identifying the need Outlining a program Building a gameplan Executing the gameplan Keys to success

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Building a (Community College) GIS Program

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  1. Building a (Community College) GIS Program July, 2008 James Madison University Michael J. (Mike) Krimmer, PhD mkrimmer@nvcc.edu 703.200.8095 www.nvcc.edu/gis

  2. Discussion Topics • Identifying the need • Outlining a program • Building a gameplan • Executing the gameplan • Keys to success • Where do I go for help?

  3. The Community College “Niche”? • What is NOVA? • Largest educational institution in VA • 2nd largest community college in US • “The most economical state college in VA” (WJLA-TV, May ’08) • Traditional: undergrads matriculating to 4-year institution • Newer: workforce development • Newest: “Grad school” of the 21st Century • “Career switchers”

  4. Who are NVCC GIS Students? • “Typical” NOVA GIS student: • Adult with bachelors degree (or higher) • 1/3 with IT background (programming, database management) • Engineers well-represented • “Career switchers” or skills enhancement • Grad students “in waiting”: JMU, GMU, VA Tech • Employed by: AOL, Dewberry, Boeing, SAIC, SPADAC, Fairfax County Community College: the “New Grad School?”

  5. NOVA’s Growing GIS Program… *note: Fall 2007 enrollment continues…

  6. Program Development Milestones • Market analysis • Business case • Hardware, software, etc. costs • Class subscription rates • The GIS classroom/lab—hardware, software, network, IT support • Program/course development, scheduling • Classroom & distance learning • Faculty recruitment, adjuncts, training

  7. Essential Elements • “Marketing” the program • GIS Day • Open houses (high schools visit NOVA) • Kid’s summer camps • Industry and government visits • Campus flyers • Internet—Geosciences web page, Facebook, U-tube • GIS career studies certificate (29 hours) • Based on Association of American Geographers • Academic/industry/government/non-profit advisory group • Articulates to other schools (GMU, JMU, etc.) • Includes internships!

  8. NVCC GIS Offerings… • Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced GIS • Each class includes labs & student term project • Cartography for GIS • GIS Applications in Environmental Science • Intro to Remote Sensing • GIS Internship • GIS for Continuing Education • GPS & Kids (summer program)

  9. NOVA GIS Lab • Hardware: • 24 student seats (primary classroom) • Dell workstations • Dual Xeon processors, 2GB RAM, 128K video card, 250GB storage • Dual 19” flat panel monitors • Dedicated Dell Server • Dual Xeon processors, 8 gigabytes RAM, 2 terabytes storage • Software: • ESRi ArcGIS9.2 (ArcInfo license) • ArcGIS Server (Workgroup license) • ITT ENVI • IDRISI Andes

  10. NOVA’s GIS Faculty • National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) • US Department of Agriculture (USDA/SIS) • ITT Solutions (makers of ENVI remote sensing software)

  11. GIS Certificate

  12. Keys to Success • Student term projects (portfolio): knowledge & experience • Internships • Partnering: education (high schools, school districts, 4-year schools); government (federal, counties); industry; non-profit Student GIS Term Projects

  13. GIS Support http://www.ucgis.org/priorities/education/modelcurriculaproject.asp http://igett.delmar.edu/ Michael Krimmer; mkrimmer@nvcc.edu www.nvcc.edu/gis

  14. Some Parting Thoughts… • Team with 2- or 4-year institution(s) • Teacher-specific classes (how to teach GIS, using GIS across the curriculum, GIS and SOLs, etc.) • Technical support/advice • Dual enrollment for students • Field trips (local colleges, NASA, county GIS office) • “Lean” on local community • County & industry GIS users, 4-H clubs • Network • STEM, ESRI, GIS Day, other forums…

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