In collaboration with the Rochester Regional Library Council, Monroe Community College is providing geospatial training to library staff with the aim of reducing barriers for college students completing geospatial information technology coursework. Complete your Geospatial Training Program application today!
Recently, Monroe Community College was awarded a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Grant: Meeting Workforce Needs for Skilled Geospatial Technicians through Virtual Geospatial Information Science Technology Education. As part of this grant, MCC aims to reduce the digital divide, increase geospatial awareness, and increase introductory student success by partnering with library staff through the GIST Training Program.
As part of this program, library staff will: complete a virtual workshop on September 23rd, complete assignments to strengthen their own technical and geospatial knowledge, and learn how to best support community college students enrolled in GIST coursework.
Eligibility: No prior knowledge is needed to participate in this training program. Library staff and MLIS students are encouraged to apply.
By completing the GIST Training Program, participating library staff will receive 6 CE hours and a $100 stipend for completion of the activities.
The deadline to apply to participate is Friday, September 10th.
Find out more about MCC’s grant project: Meeting Workforce Needs for Skilled Geospatial Technicians
GIST Training Program Learning Objectives:
- GIST/Geospatial awareness
- Learn more about MCC’s GIST program
- Provide very basic support to introductory GIST students the first week or two of classes (e.g., accessing software, saving, accessing data)
- Provide student support midway through the semester as students work on finding GIS data. The librarians will not be providing GIS technical support, which will be made clear to students.
Expectations and Timeline:
| Activities/Expectation | Timeline |
| Pre-training exercise | Mid-September |
| Attend virtual workshop for library staff | September 23, 10:30am – 3:30pm |
| Complete ArcGIS Pro Activity & Finding GIST Data | September 23 |
| Complete workshop survey | September 23 |
| Short 1-1 recorded meeting (1-2 minutes) | Early October |
| Provide 1-2 introductory students with support face to face or zoom as needed first 2-3 weeks | Early October |
| Provide GIST project data support to cohort of introductory students face to face or Zoom | Late October/November |
| Webinar on finding GIS data | Late October/November |
| Contact MCC liaisons via email if a student is stressed. | September-November |
Questions? Contact:
Tina Broomfield, Educational Services Manager, RRLC cbroomfield@rrlc.org
Jon Little MCC Geography/GIST Professor and Principal Investigator jlittle@monroecc.edu
Complete your application today! The deadline to apply is Friday, September 10.