GeoPathway Initiative

Developing the Next Generation of Professionals

Ivan DeLoatch

Executive Director, FGDC

9/12/2017

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GeoPathways Initiative - Purpose

• Purpose/Objective: Developing the Next 

Generation of Geospatial Professionals

• Alignment 

• NSDI Strategic Framework Strategy III - Action 3.3: Build 

workforce development strategies. 

Collaborate with partners to develop skills training for the 

next generation of spatial analysts, as well as consideration 

for how we broaden and diversify the spatial workforce.

• Administration goals and objectives

• Executive Order Expanding Apprenticeships in America

• M-17-30 – FY19 Administration Research and 

Development Priorities – ”Developing a Future Focused 

Workforce”

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GeoPathways
GeoPathways Initiative – Concept & Activities

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GeoPathway 

Workforce 

development 

concept

 Mentoring & 

Networking

Education 

& Training

Application Research

 

Connect with mentors/network 

Develop knowledge and skills

Apply knowledge

GeoPathways
GeoPathways Initiative – Concept & Activities

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• Interact with Subject Matter 

Expert(s) 

• Coaching

• Job Shadowing

• Develop network

 Mentoring & 

Networking

GeoPathways

Mentoring & Networking
GeoPathways Initiative – Concept & Activities

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• Develop knowledge and skills 

in the use of geographic 

information

• Online Courses

• Webinars

• Brown Bags

Education 

& Training

GeoPathways

Education & Training
GeoPathways Initiative – Concept & Activities

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Research

Research

GeoPathways

• Conduct research in the 

application of geospatial data 

data and services:

• Various Industry Sectors

• Topical and Thematic 

areas

• Emerging Technologies
GeoPathways Initiative – Concept & Activities

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Application

• Participate in pilots

• Use open data resources

• Development of maps and 

storymaps

• Use GIS tools to support 

analysis

• Provide presentations

• Develop information 

resources

GeoPathways

Application
GeoPathways – 2017–2018 Pilot Phase

• Phase 1 – Initiate Federal Pilot 2017-2018

• Collaborate with Federal Partners

• Establish Mentors

• Identifying Education and Training

• Identify Projects and Activities

• Engaged the USGS Education Office to develop 

student opportunities

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GeoPathways

• Phase 2 – Expand Engagement in FGDC Community 
GeoPathways – 2017-2018

 Leverage State Departments –

Volunteer Student Foreign Service Initiative

 About VSFS – Initiated 2009

• Volunteer eIntership for U.S. Citizens 

enrolled in a certificate or degree program

• Sept-May Academic Year

• Not Employees–Non-paid

• Students Work up to 10hours a week

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GeoPathways
GeoPathways- 2017-2018 Project Sponsors/Mentors

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Organization Project Request

Jake Weltzin USGS/Ecosystems NPN R&D/Use Cases 1

Stinger/Derick CSS BISON R&D/Use Cases 2

Glenn Gumpel CSS/NGP GeoPackage R&D/Use Cases 1

Rob Dollison CSS/NGP National Map R&D/Use Cases 1

Jeremy Fee Hazards Disaster Resilience 2

Lorna Schmidt CSS/FGDC-NGP Arctic SDI 2

Jim Kreft Water Water R&D/Use Cases 1

Gary Latzke Water Water R&D/Use Cases 1

Angelica Gutierrez NOAA AmeriGEOSS/GEOGLOWS 6

Rich Frazier CSS/FGDC R&D/Use Cases/Communications 4

Roger Sayer CLU Ecosystems R&D/Use Cases 1

**Working with Bruce Quirk on UAV 

**Engaging DHS/FEMA Public Health & Safety

** Working on 

request from others
GeoPathways 2017-2018 VSFS Result

• Advertised 3 positions requested 8 students

• 24 Applicants Applied 

• Selected 15 students so far

• 12 Universities from West, Central and Eastern U.S.

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• California State University

• Del Mar College

• San Jose State University

• NC State University

• Coastal Carolina University

• UCLA

• Penn State University

• University of Maryland

• James Madison University

• University of Colorado

• University of Georgia

• Yale

• Diverse group of Men and Women representing various demographics
Deliverables – Sample List 

• Case Studies

• Story Maps

• Fact Sheets

• Posters

• Social Media Content

• Videos

• Infographic Sheets

• Test Results 

• GIS Applications and Tools

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GeoPathways

Planned Activities
Summary

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 Mentoring & 

Networking

Education 

& Training

Application Research

 

Connect with mentors/network 

Develop knowledge and skills

Apply knowledge

GeoPathways

*Opportunity to select from a 

pool of 40 additional students 

with geographic background 

through 9/18 – Contact 

fgdc@fgdc.gov

GeoPathways 2017-2018 

• Workforce Development 

Initiative

• Pilot program this year

• Leveraging VSFS

• Collaborating with CSS/USGS 

and Other Federal Agencies