Skip to main content
Information icon showing an i on a desktop screen Join us for the Graduate GIS Programs Information Session May 6, 2026 at 12 p.m. PT Register Today
USC Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute

Blog

Welcome to our geographic information science (GIS) and technology blog. We feature a mixture of GIS academic articles, news, USC student stories and interesting GIS application articles. We recommend visiting frequently if you want to find out more about what excites us as GIS practitioners and academics — we aim to provide a mixture of interesting GIS news articles, career information and highlights from the GIS programs at the University of Southern California. Some of the key topics you can expect to find within our blog include:

  • Profiles of cutting-edge GIS research from USC faculty and students
  • Innovative use of GIS technologies and forward-thinking analysis
  • Careers in GIS and key skills to advance in the field
  • GIS applications in specific industries and sectors, like urban planning, environmental science and more

If you’re interested in receiving updates about the GIS graduate degree and certificate programs at the University of Southern California, request information to reach an enrollment specialist; you’ll also receive emails with important program updates and when we publish a new blog article.


GIST in the Military: This Air Force Veteran Took Her Career to New Heights

We’re celebrating our student and alumni veterans by sharing stories about their geospatial work in the military and experiences in the GIST programs. María Leasure is an Air Force veteran, currently employed as a geospatial analyst at Crisis24, an integrated risk management company. She graduated from the USC Graduate Certificate …

Read more >


How GIS and Big Data are Creating Big Change for the World

The big data trend has dramatically impacted every industry, so it is little surprise that big data in GIS has significant implications for how we acquire and leverage spatial information. As we consider the way organizations are using geographic information science and technology, one of the clearest themes is that …

Read more >


Q&A with USC HSGI Alumnus Eli Ibanga

Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is used across many careers, including in the government, military and within humanitarian organizations. USC alumnus Eli Ibanga was drawn to the versatile nature of the discipline and chose to pursue GEOINT education to build upon his knowledge gained in the military and through previous degree programs. …

Read more >


Here’s Why It’s A Great Time to be in Geospatial Intelligence

While geographic information science (GIS) requires specialized knowledge to be successful, the discipline is full of varied opportunities. Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) represents one of the dynamic areas where professionals can further evolve their GIS careers, pursuing opportunities with the government, military or with humanitarian organizations. For example, the U.S. Department …

Read more >


USC Study Finds STEM Degrees Pay Off for Minority College

Minority college students who major in the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and math – earn at least 25 percent more than their peers who study humanities or education, according to the results of a new USC study. And those who took jobs related to their STEM degrees earned …

Read more >


Top Companies Using GIS Technology

Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) can be used by businesses large and small for a variety of applications. Companies that use GIS technology today are those in industries ranging from supply chain management to insurance to urban planning, banking, and health – and much more. Climbing the Charts Using …

Read more >


How GIS Has Evolved in the Digital Age

Digital cartography and GIS have had an impactful history in developing our understanding of the world; as GPS World editor Janice Partyka noted, some of the first digital maps were created by the U.S. Census Bureau, which used GIS and digital mapping to better understand population trends within specific Census …

Read more >


How Mapping Is Used by NASA & Applications of GIS in Space

When we think of the tools involved in exploring outer space, images of astronauts collecting mineral samples on the moon may come to mind. However, scientists also depend on more remote methods to deepen our knowledge of the solar system and the universe beyond, like those offered by geographic information …

Read more >


Q&A with U.S. Navy Pilot Kyle Weaver

How is geographic information science and technology used in the military? This is a segment of our multi-part series honoring the active service members and veterans who’ve taken or who teach USC’s Geographic Information Science and Technology graduate programs by allowing them to share some of their most memorable experiences. …

Read more >


GIS and the Cloud: How They Work Together

Cloud computing has been one of the dominant trends regarding accessing computing resources such as processing, storage and software. While some have considered that geographic information science (GIS) as a discipline was a late adopter of the cloud, the convergence of GIS technology with cloud computing has had a profound …

Read more >


Request Brochure

Fill out the information below to learn more about the University of Southern California’s GIS Graduate Programs and download a free brochure. If you have any additional questions, please call 213-325-2474 to speak to an enrollment specialist.

University of Southern California has engaged AllCampus to help support your educational journey. AllCampus will contact you shortly in response to your request for information. About AllCampus. Privacy Policy. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time.

* All Fields are Required. Your Privacy is Protected.