The GIS Integration and Development Program

Grant Project Summary:
Oregon State University

NOAA Fellowships for Education and Research Opportunities in Applying GIS and Remote Sensing in Coastal Resource Management

June 2004 to May 2007Grant Project Area Map

Project Summary

Oregon State University started initiating a new graduate fellowship program in 2004 emphasizing the recruiting of underrepresented minorities into the field of coastal resource management, GIS, and remote sensing. Two outstanding students were chosen to enter the Marine Resource Management and Geography Programs where they participated in intensive research partnerships with the faculty and hands-on workplace experiences in geospatial information technology with the broader coastal resource management community. During the final summer of their program, they were sent to the NOAA Coastal Services Center for three-month internships resulting in possible permanent employment or referral positions to the broader coastal management community. Lessons learned during the fellowship were disseminated to managers of coastal resources to facilitate the application of features of the program to other institutions, and used in the development of a longer-term program within a new NOAA Cooperative Institute.

NOAA Coastal Services Center's Role

Oregon State University and the NOAA Coastal Services Center entered into a cooperative agreement to initiate a new graduate fellowship program with two-year funding packages for two outstanding students. The Center was responsible for supervising and mentoring the students during their three-month internship at the Center. The Center assisted in developing and delivering surveys to members of the coastal management community. The Center also participated in the development of educational and workshop materials used for courses and outreach activities the students were involved with at Oregon State University.

Grantee Overview

Oregon State University is a comprehensive, public, research university, and a member of the Oregon University System. It is the state's land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution, and has programs and faculty located in every county of the state. Oregon State University views the state of Oregon as its campus, and works in partnership with Oregon community colleges and other Oregon university institutions to provide access to educational programs. Oregon State University aspires to stimulate a lasting attitude of inquiry, openness, and social responsibility.

The The Geosciences Department at Oregon State University offers competitive advantages to career oriented potential students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These competitive advantages include faculty with active research and teaching programs, a collegial and cooperative learning environment, a desirable mix of field, laboratory, computer-based approaches to teaching and learning, and an array of degree programs. OSU is ranked among the top 25 geosciences programs in the U.S. (Geotimes, pg. 15, May 2003). The Univerisity's Marine Resource Management program was created in 1974 to provide students with the multidisciplinary training necessary to function confidently and effectively in professional resource management positions. More information about the program is on-line at http://www.coas.oregonstate.edu/mrm/.

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