University Consortium for Geographic Information Science

The dynamic educational alliance at North Carolina Central University functions  as a resource for paradigms on increasing the number of competitive students pursuing and attaining careers in science and math. We look to science, technology and engineering to increase the nation’s productivity and economic well being, advance healthcare, improve the environment, help ensure national security, and help educate our youth.  In this new century, U.S. jobs are growing fastest in areas that require knowledge and skills stemming from a strong grasp of science, math, and technology to the point that the demand has outstripped the supply. The critical shortage of workers in these fields threatens U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace.

NCCU recognizes that to support the economic development of the region and state, increasing numbers of residents, especially minorities, must be prepared to enter careers in science and technology. The economy of North Carolina has shifted dramatically to a knowledge-based economy that requires a well educated and technologically literate workforce. Knowledge will be to the 21st century what natural resources and manufacturing were to the 20th century. The university is preparing itself with state of the art facilities, faculty and programs. As our university moves aggressively forward in the development of new and relevant academic programs and the research base increases logarithmically, we must have a student population ready to capitalize on these initiatives. One such effort to prepare students was to develop a “Provisional Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) in partnerships with the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

The Department of Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences actively promotes GIS within NCCU and partners with various organizations such as the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) to develop linkages with other universities.