University of Redlands: A Leader in Spatial Education

UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS

A LEADER IN SPATIAL EDUCATION

A Leader in Spatial Education | 1

BY THE NUMBERS

4,353 University of Redlands students who have taken at least one spatial course since 1992

290 Esri employees who are University of Redlands graduates with a GIS degree or minor

190 Esri employees who are University of Redlands School of Business graduates

294 MS GIS graduates since program’s inception in 2002

177 MBA with location analytics concentration (formerly GIS emphasis) graduates since the program’s inception in 2000

30.2% The projected average growth rate of GIS-related occupations in California, 2014–2024 (Hanover Research)

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HARNESS THE

POWER OF WHERE For more than three decades, the University of Redlands has infused spatial thinking and geographic information systems (GIS) throughout its academic programs—in business, natural sciences, environmental sciences, social sciences, humanities, design, and other disciplines. Faculty and students collaborate to use the power of location and data-driven insight to solve real-world problems, conduct original research, tell compelling stories, and develop cutting-edge spatial skills that align with workforce needs.

• Individuals can earn a Master of Science in GIS or Master of GIS in an environment where international faculty and students use cutting-edge GIS technology, theory, and applications.

• Busy working professionals can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a location analytics concentration, which prepares them to use the power of location intelligence to improve decision-making, organizational performance, and business development. Also offered outside of the traditional work day is a certificate in location analytics. Both programs are offered online and on the Redlands campus.

• Traditional undergraduate students can declare a spatial studies minor in which they develop GIS and spatial thinking skills; choose from nearly 50 elective courses; and benefit from the experiential learning gleaned from internships and community service.

“ I chose Redlands because I felt like it would give me the best education. I wanted to be challenged and really dive into the science of GIS, not just learn the software.

I haven’t been disappointed. The program has a great mix of full-time faculty, as well an amazing group of adjunct faculty who work at Esri during the day. With that mix we get the unique opportunity to learn the underlying science of GIS at a deep level, as well as to learn the latest technology trends from people who are developing GIS software on a daily basis.”

— Blythe Spendlove ’18, MS GIS

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PA R T N E R S H I P S W I T H E S R I The close proximity of Esri to the University of Redlands and shared commitment to problemsolving have led to a variety of academic, employee, community development, and research collaborations between the two organizations: • U of R students have access to Esri

• Esri offers scholarship programs for its

technology, training, people, events,

employees studying at the University of

and internships

Redlands, including an Esri Fellowship for those

• Esri employees teach and mentor U of R students • Esri’s co-founders, Jack and Laura Dangermond, fund the Roger Tomlinson Prize for Excellence in GIS, awarded to

pursuing a GIS master’s degree • The University’s School of Business offers a discount to any Esri employee pursuing a degree • The Redlands Forum, sponsored by Esri and

U of R students who provide GIS solutions

the University of Redlands Town & Gown,

to real-world problems

offers educational and cultural programs to the community

The Spatial Business Initiative In a recent expansion of their relationship, the University of Redlands School of Business and Esri have formed the Spatial Business Initiative—a unique alliance that aims to maximize the understanding and effectiveness of GIS in business through education, publishing, research, and consulting. Founded by a grant from Esri, the initiative is administered through the University’s Center for Spatial Business.

The initiative advances a wide array of projects at the intersection of GIS and business, including publications, multimedia case studies, research, and advisory support for businesses.

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S PAT I A L S T U D I E S H U B S AT UNIVERSIT Y OF REDL ANDS Center for Spatial Studies The University’s Center for Spatial Studies helps integrate spatial thinking and technologies into instruction, research, and service to the University of Redlands as a whole and to the community at large. With its expertise in spatial analysis, programming, project management, and fund development, the Center also supports the efforts of faculty to secure sponsored projects that contribute to scholarship and instruction at the University, including the use of desktop and online GIS; mobile spatial data collection; remote sensing with satellites, aircraft, and drones; cloudbased spatial analytic tools; and 3D modeling software. In the words of Center Director Steven Moore, Ph.D., the Center “helps people visualize the consequences of alternative futures and collaborate with one another to make better choices for our planet and ourselves.”

Center for Spatial Business The Center for Spatial Business provides programming at the U of R’s School of Business that enhances and conveys knowledge in the field to help in problem-solving and decision-making.

Programs include a speaker series, student excellence awards, and industry journals, as well as oversight of the Spatial Business Initiative (see previous page).

Institute for Spatial Economic Analysis Since April 2011, the Institute for Spatial Economic Analysis (ISEA) has offered research-based spatial analysis and forecasts. Part of the School of Business, ISEA focuses on areas of economic analysis that have a strong connection to the space people live in, such as employment and unemployment, housing, retail, logistics, and economic risk assessment. ISEA researchers aim to provide analyses that are meaningful and accessible to both the interested public and specialists in the field. Recent research has included forecasts of the effects of automation on employment in various regions of the country and across various sectors of the U.S. population.

UR Spatial GeoThinkers This club for undergraduate students collaborates with other chapters of the global YouthMappers organization, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to aid disaster-response, international development, and conservation efforts.

“ We train GIS analysts who can apply their liberal arts knowledge and broad perspective. We give practical work experiences in spatial internships. We teach cutting-edge techniques such as mobile data collection for ArcGIS. We help students tap into skill sets and qualifications that are in high demand, such as piloting drones. We explore new frontiers such as the world of business GIS. We leverage the University’s unique emphasis in humanities GIS. We connect students with partners, such as our friends at Esri. We help those partners and provide valuable work experience by engaging in software testing. We invite students to be evangelists for what they love, reaching out to others about the importance of spatial tools… .”

— Steven Moore, Ph.D., director, Center for Spatial Studies A Leader in Spatial Education | 5

“ I fell in love with GIS while studying geomatics as part of the Peruvian-Canadian agreement to use GIS to help Peru manage its natural resources. I got my bachelor’s degree in computer science because I wanted to learn how GIS software worked. Because there are no world-class GIS programs anywhere in South America, I started looking abroad for my master’s. I chose Redlands over another school that also offered me a scholarship because of three things: the great weather, U of R’s close relationship with Esri, and the fact that it is impossible to find faculty more qualified to teach GIS technology elsewhere in the world. Here at Redlands, the same people who created the software are also teaching us how to use it.

And, at the same time that I am learning, I am establishing my professional network.”

— César Garrido Lecca ’18, MS GIS

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M ASTER’S PROGR A MS

MS GIS AND MGIS The MS GIS program at the University of Redlands provides an open environment in which international faculty and students use cutting-edge GIS technology, theory, and applications. Students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to apply GIS to real-world global problems, and the residential program provides a great opportunity for building a strong professional network and lifelong friendships.

MS GIS students include professionals currently employed in fields using geographic information and recent university graduates who want to embark on a career in a GIS-related field. Redlands alumni are leading applications specialists, applications software developers, and project managers in various private and government organizations.

Program Highlights A balanced curriculum that includes geographic information fundamentals, advanced spatial analytics, and the latest geospatial technologies Hands-on project management experience through a major individual project that addresses the needs of real-world clients Close working relationships between students, faculty members, and an advisory committee Extensive access to Esri resources such as software training courses, Esri instructor-led courses, weekly colloquia, and in-depth workshops Technical support and consulting from the U of R’s Center for Spatial Studies Opportunities to expand professional networks through U of R’s diverse academic community and the Esri User Conference and the Dev Summit that draw GIS professionals from around the world

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M ASTER’S PROGR A MS

M B A – L O C A T I O N A N A LY T I C S The Redlands MBA with a concentration in location analytics equips spatial professionals with the 21st century business skills they need, enabling them to address complex business problems with spatial strategy and data analysis.

Students master the business of where, using the power of location intelligence to improve decision-making, organizational performance, and business development with a valuable perspective on a company’s products, services, and customer relationships.

Coursework, offered both online and on the main Redlands campus, includes GIS for Marketing, Spatial Analysis for Global Business, Contemporary Planning of Business GIS, and GIS Strategy: Concepts and Implementation. This GIS-focused course sequence also represents requirements for the location analytics certificate.

Program Highlights Accomplished GIS business faculty are committed to student success Students have extensive access to Esri resources, including classes taught by Esri employees Courses offered online and on the main Redlands campus Classes, which meet one night a week, offer a personalized experience 96% of graduates would recommend the School of Business to a friend or acquaintance 24% of Redlands MBA graduates earn more than $100,000 upon graduation 87% of Redlands MBA graduates expect career advancement within five years Vast alumni network includes Esri employees and spatial experts

“ While performing demographic research with the United States census, I was introduced to the power of mapping data for visual storytelling. In previous jobs, when searching for project solutions, developing communication assets, or brainstorming new products, we asked the questions ‘who, what, why.’ But it was not until I discovered GIS through the University of Redlands School of Business that I started asking ‘where.’ In my research, I found GIS to be directly applicable to all areas of the organizational value chain; by asking ‘where,’ the answers for ‘who, what, why’ followed suit.

Within one week of this discovery, I decided to change my MBA emphasis to GIS.”

— Karisa Schroeder ’18, MBA with a concentration in location analytics

“ The idea is that we are using location intelligence to make change. We are trying to make positive change in organizations, industries, nonprofits, and government—that is, in society.

In order to do that, we have to take these spatial tools and think about what difference they can make in creating business and societal value, and who needs to act on this information to make that difference. That’s really the essence of our Spatial Business Initiative.”

— Thomas A. Horan, Ph.D., Senecal Endowed Dean of the School of Business, University of Redlands

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U N D E R G R A D U AT E P R O G R A M S Throughout the University of Redlands, faculty and students explore spatial thinking in creative and exciting ways, applying spatial analysis technologies across a wide spectrum of disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. With a rich multidisciplinary and self-guided discovery approach, a spatial education helps students to embrace a reflective understanding of our world—to proceed from information to insight, and from knowledge to meaning.

S PAT I A L S T U D I E S M I N O R The spatial studies minor includes two core courses—Foundations of Spatial Thinking and Introduction to Spatial Analysis and GIS, as well as four elective courses in academic categories of physical world, culture and communities, and methods and representations. Seniors present a portfolio of their spatial analysis course work to the spatial studies advisors and their classmates.

Program Highlights First-year academic experience in GIS that challenges and engages new undergraduate students as they explore and consider GIS as part of their education Summer internships with Esri and other local partners Community service learning opportunities with local business and government agencies Accomplished and accessible faculty Multidisciplinary approach May Term and study abroad courses Access to Esri online and instructor-led GIS courses

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SHANE KEENA

“ We were out on the ocean, seeing all sorts of animals— fin whales, blue whales, humpback whales. … We started noting the boat traffic and how the animals are impacted. Now we record everything we see on charts and through the app, Whale mAPP, which graduate student Melodi King ’12 and I developed. Working with the data we collect develops students’ scientific inquiry, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking skills, while increasing their knowledge of the natural world.”

— Lei Lani Stelle, Ph.D., professor of biology

“ I was part of Panamapping, a May Term class in Panama, and took part in a practical research opportunity. During our trip we mapped the carbon sequestration amounts in the Panama rainforest, delineating different land cover types. The trip really helped foster my love for environmental science and field research. It gave me the experience I needed to put on my resume and led to an amazing internship at Esri in Redlands. At Esri, I worked with the software development team on projects related to local communities in Central America and Africa. I worked under Chief Cartographer Charlie Frye and was able to further my GIS knowledge.”

— Harrison Cannon ‘18, environmental science major, spatial studies minor

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS The University of Redlands is a private, nonprofit university that connects students to a world of opportunity, geared toward their passions and potential. Centrally located near the beaches, mountains, and desert in the heart of Southern California, the University offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, as well as 30 graduate programs in geographic information science, business, communication sciences and disorders, education, and music—blending liberal arts and professional programs, applied and theoretical study, traditional majors and self-designed curricula. In addition to an award-winning 160-acre campus in Redlands featuring orange groves, architectural landmarks, and more than 1,700 trees, the University includes six regional locations, providing innovative programs at convenient places and times for working professionals.

Surveys show that generations of alumni have found that the University, established in 1907, prepared them well for career success and lifelong learning.

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1200 E Colton Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373 | spatial.redlands.edu