In 1991 I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from Cal State University in Fullerton and a Master’s Degree from University of California Riverside in 1995. While teaching Earth Sciences, I saw the need to introduce my students to GIS and attended an NSF ATE funded “GIS for the 21st Century” program for college educators at Indiana State where I learned a love for geography and GIS. After two summers at ISU, I created a GIS Certificate program at San Bernardino Valley College. In 1996, under a grant from the California Community College Chancellor’s office, I worked with Chris Crown to develop curriculum for and helped introduce GIS to more than 125 instructors in California. In 1997, I assumed the role of Co-PI of the GIS Access NSF funded Grant (DUE 9850306, ATE 97-29), which successfully helped provide GIS workshops using Active Learning pedagogy to more than 100 K-16 educators.

Interest in the use of GIS across the campus increased so much that ten years ago I came to work at ESRI as Higher Education Solutions Manager. My focus has been on helping colleges and universities develop sustainable GIS programs. I continue to do hands on GIS training for educators and am currently a Co-Pi on two NSF Grants: iGETT, a workshop for college faculty to integrate GIS, RS and GPS into their programs, and an Envisions grant to determine the feasibility of creating a National Geospatial Resource Center for Community Colleges. I have an interest in GIS curriculum and have participated in several activities including being a Co-Editor of the University Consortium for GI Science Model Curriculum Body of Knowledge published by AAG in 2006. I represent ESRI and GIS educators on several advisory boards at colleges and in organizations including the AAG and the USGIF Education Committee.