Herndon, Virginia (August 17, 2021) — The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has selected its 2022 scholarship winners. A record-breaking $100,000 raised from donations by the GEOINT community will help the Foundation support students pursuing degrees in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and related topics.
“The generosity of our community has inspired all of us at the Foundation,” said USGIF CEO Ronda Schrenk. “Thank you to our organizational and individual donors for making this a record fundraising year!”
The 25 recipients, selected by USGIF’s scholarship committee, exemplify the interdisciplinary strength and collaborative mindset necessary for GEOINT. Diversely experienced and multi-talented, USGIF’s 2022 cohort demonstrates impressive skills and budding passions for a broad range of pursuits, including:
- Using LiDAR and digital twins to develop 3D urban environments
- Studying Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis using GEOINT
- Monitoring snow using SAR data
- Exploring geospatial applications for oceanic instability
Hailing from 23 different schools, the awardees have in common strong social compasses and a desire to collaborate to better our world. Though their goals and ambitions are varied, these scholars collectively demonstrate a shared desire to impact change through the use of geospatial intelligence tradecraft.
“Receiving the scholarship signifies more than just receiving funds; it implies that my research activities are viewed as having the potential to address the country’s national security challenges. The scholarship will not only support my educational and research expenses, it will also motivate me to give back to the community by putting my research ideas into action in the real world.”
– Jayedi Aman, USGIF Graduate Scholarship Winner, University of Missouri
Since the USGIF Scholarship Program began in 2004, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million to students with aspirations in GEOINT to further the advancement of the geospatial tradecraft. USGIF is dedicated to assisting promising students studying GEOINT, geospatial sciences, and related fields.
USGIF offers scholarships annually to outstanding doctoral candidates, graduate students, undergraduate students, and graduating high school seniors. The Stu Shea USGIF Endowed Scholarship recognizes a Ph.D. student studying cartography, geography, or imaging science. In addition, USGIF offers four awards sponsored by USGIF organizational members:
- Ken Miller Scholarship for Advanced Remote Sensing Applications, funded by Riverside Research
- RGi Scholarship for Geospatial and Engineering
- Maxar Scholarship for Diversity and Innovation in GEOINT
- EVONA Scholarship for Diversity in STEM
“USGIF Scholarship awardees not only represent the highest caliber of GEOINT academic success, but the very future of our community,” said USGIF Director of Education and Professional Development Christine MacKrell. “Over the years, I’ve watched USGIF scholarship alumni continue on to work at top GEOINT government agencies and companies, pursue continued education at premier academic institutions, and incorporate their GEOINT expertise into diverse fields. I am confident this class of students further that legacy of trailblazing and breaking barriers within our community.”
USGIF and Riverside Research partnered in 2016 to create the Ken Miller Scholarship, named after Kenneth W. Miller, who is known as a founding father of measurement and signatures intelligence. The Ken Miller Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship awarded to a master’s student working in or planning to enter the defense and/or intelligence workforce. USGIF and Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi) partnered in 2018 to offer a $10,000 scholarship to one undergraduate student interested in both the engineering and geospatial disciplines and who demonstrates financial need. Both Maxar and EVONA are new USGIF scholarship partnerships for 2022. Maxar’s $10,000 scholarship is awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student who embodies Maxar’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging and brings an innovative perspective to the GEOINT field. EVONA’s scholarship of $10,000 is awarded to one undergraduate student from a diverse gender and racial background pursuing a geospatial, data science, or space-focused degree.
“This is an invigorating and challenging time to be a student,” said Schrenk. “I am impressed by the fortitude, tenacity, and achievement these bright minds have already demonstrated. I look forward to the incredible contributions they will make to our nation.”
Learn more about USGIF’s Scholarship Program.