The cafeteria was buzzing with excitement April 23 at NGA Washington, as 18 geographic information system student projects were open and available to view for the NGA workforce during the 2024 GIS Fair.

The fair spotlighted the work of local high school students, who are participating in the dual-enrollment program at James Madison University. Known as the Geospatial Semester, the program is offered to Virginia high school students through JMU’s department of integrated science and technology. Students may obtain college credit upon completion. 

In addition to students sharing their projects, several teachers from local county public schools attended as the students had an opportunity to brief their GIS research. More than a dozen subject matter experts from throughout NGA participated in reviewing the projects with the students and sharing their GEOINT expertise with the next generation.

The group also learned more about NGA's mission, internship opportunities and scholarship prospects.

“This exposes the students to a wide range of geographic technologies,” said Kathryn Keranen, JMU Geospatial Semester co-founder. “The students are exposed to jobs that support national security, disaster relief and conflict.”

The Geospatial Semester Program was created in 2005 by JMU faculty, and is designed to allow high school students to use geospatial technology to study relevant and timely issues, that may even have an impact on the local community. Since it began more than 7,000 students have taken part of the program in 28 schools throughout Virginia. 

This is NGA’s seventh year hosting the GSS students for the GIS fair. Students were all assigned to study the impact of sea level rise on various military installations.  

Prior to presenting their work, the GSS students learned about NGA’s mission through various briefings and were able to connect with alumni of the GSS program who are now NGA employees. The students also learned about recruitment efforts and internships across the agency.

“There’s a place for you at NGA,” said Tonya Wilkerson, NGA deputy director during her welcome remarks to the students. 

Former GSS student, Krystyna Hesser provided remarks and documented her journey from student to NGA employee. A Fairfax High School grad, she went on to attend Virginia Tech where she majored in geography. Today, she works at NGA as a small-scale cartographer.

Chronicling her journey to GEOINT, Hesser recalls treating the GSS class “initially as just a grade” and seeing GIS as “a fancy way to make maps without any drawing.” With time, however, she fell in love with the tradecraft and realized, “if you want to make maps, NGA is where you need to be!”

Taking the GSS class in high school piqued Hesser’s interest in GIS as a career. 

“Once I began taking the class, I found it to be really interesting to think of problems through a spatial lens, said Hesser. “I learn a lot through experimentation, and the course allows for so much flexibility for the students to take the technology in any direction they want.”

Hesser said that after passing the class, she changed her college path to pursue GIS and geography. Taking various courses in environmental geography and geopolitics, Hesser used GIS to support her learning and to find new trends in the data. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am at NGA without the opportunity to have taken the GSS course,” she said.

Although Hesser was not able to attend the GIS Fair as a student, the ability to participate this year as a mentor was a full circle moment for her. She found that many of the students planned to continue studying GIS and pursuing it in their careers. 

Manuel Castro, and NGA human geographer, also participated in the GIS Fair as a mentor. He presented his own research studying the role of GEOINT in equipping local communities in Patagonia to confront Glacier Lake Outburst Floods more effectively. 

“Draw upon [your] own experiences and motivations…Whether from travel, language skills, cultural familiarity, or intellectual curiosity about our world, [as] these personal insights enrich geospatial work and contribute to becoming a well-rounded analyst,” said Castro in his remarks to students.

As the students shared their projects and talked amongst themselves, the enthusiasm and passion for GIS was almost tangible. 

“I hope to come back as an intern, and look forward to seeing you all here someday,” said one GIS fair participant. 

The interactions between the students and NGA mentors was designed to allow the students to see themselves as potential employees someday. 

“There's a path from where you sit today to where I stand today,” said Wilkerson in her remarks to the students.