USGIF has launched its newest initiative—the Education Working Group (EWG)—to unify and enhance GEOINT education across all levels of academia. This collaborative effort brings together educators from higher education, nonprofit organizations, and other educational spaces to foster GEOINT thinking, skills, and methodologies in classrooms nationwide. 

Key Objectives of the Education Working Group

The EWG is structured to tackle several crucial aspects of GEOINT education, ensuring its long-term growth and accessibility.

Its primary objectives are: 

1. Developing Educational Standards and Resource 
2. Supporting Higher Education Initiatives 
3. Enhancing Primary and Secondary GEOINT Education 

The EWG is led by a tri-chair structure, ensuring diverse representation across the GEOINT education spectrum. The chairs include one representative from a military academy, one from a USGIF-accredited civilian higher education institution, and one representing primary or secondary education. This balanced leadership approach fosters collaboration between different levels of education, ensuring that GEOINT learning is seamlessly integrated from early education through advanced academic research. USGIF is excited to announce the first group of tri-chairs for the EWG: 

• CPT Victoria Gramlich, United States Military Academy, West Point 
• Trey Hull, Ph.D., Gateway Global 
• Darren Ruddell, Ph.D., Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence Lab, University of Southern California 

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry 

One of the most critical roles of the Education Working Group is its ability to connect students and educators with GEOINT professionals, ensuring that academic programs align with workforce needs. By promoting interdisciplinary learning and curating partnerships, the EWG bridges the gap between GEOINT education and the evolving demands of the IC workforce. 

Additionally, the working group seeks to provide greater access to open-source educational tools, making GEOINT more accessible to students in their classrooms. Whether through online learning modules or interactive case studies, the EWG is committed to making GEOINT education more engaging and impactful. 

How to Get Involved 

The EWG welcomes participation from USGIF members, educators, and GEOINT professionals interested in contributing to the advancement of geospatial intelligence education. Membership is open to all USGIF organizational and individual members, as well as those affiliated with educational institutions (.edu or .org email addresses). Active participation in meetings, subcommittees, and related activities is encouraged to ensure meaningful contributions to the group’s initiatives. 

For those passionate about shaping the future of GEOINT education, the EWG provides a unique opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and inspire the next generation of geospatial professionals. Requests for membership can be submitted via email to workinggroups@usgif.org.