Geographic Information Systems Spatial Analysis Laboratory

🌟 Have you seen the latest blog from Esri: “What’s new in ArcGIS Online (October 2025)”? 🌟

It highlights fresh features including:

• Enhanced map sharing options via custom links and embedding
cards in the map viewer.
• Powerful new labeling & animation styles to give your
visualizations more clarity.
• AI assistants (beta) for generating Arcade expressions—perfect for
speeding up geoprocessing workflows.
• Improvements in 3D scene visualization, content management,
admin tools & more.

🔗 Check it out here: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/announcements/whats-new-arcgis-online-october-2025

If you’re working on a GIS project this semester, now’s a great time to explore these enhancements and put them into practice. Go Wildcats! 🐾

What's new in ArcGIS Online (October 2025)

Thanks to ID3A and K-State Research and Extension for the opportunity to share the power of ArcGIS Online with our engagement community!

🌟Spotlight on Engagement

During K-State Extension and Engagement Week, Dr. Shawn Hutchinson—co-director of ID3A and director of the Geographic Information Systems Spatial Analysis Laboratory (GISSAL)—led a powerful workshop titled “Using GIS and Data Analytics to Drive Adaptive Strategies and Collective Impact in Extension Programs.”

Through this session, Dr. Hutchinson demonstrated how geospatial tools and data-driven insights can strengthen Extension programs and support community-focused solutions.

This work reflects K-State’s mission as a land-grant university—learning, leading, and engaging to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges and do meaningful good in Kansas and beyond. Check out other activities related to K-State Extension and Engagement Week on their website https://tinyurl.com/4zasrxwd.

📢 Attention GIS Students! Are you getting ready to graduate and launch your career in geospatial science? The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is offering the PreGISP certification — a recognized credential that helps bridge the gap between graduation and professional certification. Earning your PreGISP demonstrates your readiness for the workforce and gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.

🗓️ Exam Window: November 17–24, 2025
📝 Registration Deadline: November 3, 2025

Learn more here 👉

PreGISP (GISP-E) Exam Information A professional geospatial certification

We’re proud to announce the launch of the new Geocat website!

Check it out here: https://www.k-state.edu/gissal/geocat

Learn more about K-State’s next-generation enterprise GIS platform that's built to modernize geospatial research, support teaching and learning, and strengthen outreach across Kansas and beyond.

Geocat, our cloud-native ArcGIS Enterprise platform built in collaboration with AWS and ROK Technologies, has officially entered Phase 3 testing!

This milestone marks a huge step forward in modernizing geospatial research at Kansas State University. Geocat enables scalable, high-performance workflows that support research across agriculture, public health, ecology, and economic development.

We're getting close to a full rollout that will expand access for researchers, students, and extension professionals across the university.

Exciting news! Our forthcoming enterprise GIS system Geocat is in the spotlight. The AWS Public Sector Blog recently featured “Kansas State University modernizes geospatial research with Geocat on AWS”. Check out the full story here:

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/kansas-state-university-modernizes-geospatial-research-with-geocat-on-aws/

We’re thrilled to see Geocat driving innovation in geospatial research! 🌍💡

Kansas State University modernizes geospatial research with Geocat on AWS | Amazon Web Services Kansas State University (K-State)—In collaboration with AWS and AWS Partner, ROK Technologies—is developing Geocat: a scalable, cloud-native ArcGIS Enterprise platform. Designed to serve students, faculty, and extension professionals, Geocat is advancing K-State’s land-grant mission by making ...

Phase 2 of at Kansas State University has commenced! GIS and communications software configuration is in-progress (and nearly complete) with support from ROK Technologies, AWS Web Services, Esri, and the Kansas Water Institute.

Join us this fall for our Map Mondays GIS workshops. The theme for this semester is skill building for beginners, but will also include a kick-off session for experienced ArcMap users to begin (or master) the transition to ArcGIS Pro.

Explore geographic information systems topics in Map Monday workshops The Geographic Information Systems Spatial Analysis Laboratory, GISSAL, will host a series of beginner-friendly, hands-on workshops for K-State faculty, staff and students during the fall semester. The series will also include a kick-off session for experienced ArcMap users to begin, or master, the....

NPS GIS interships are open to students and recent grads (within 2 years)! Apply by July 9.

GIS Internship Program - GIS, Cartography & Mapping (U.S. National Park Service) Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Congratulations to Dr. Shawn Hutchinson on receiving a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to the United Kingdom for the 2025–2026 academic year!

In Spring 2026, Dr. Hutchinson will be hosted by the School of Geography at the University of Nottingham, where he will conduct research to improve ecosystem service assessments in grassland environments using geospatial technologies. His work will support more sustainable land management practices and advance international collaboration in geography, environmental science, and digital agriculture.

Meet our grantees | Fulbright Morayo Abbey-Bada graduated with distinction from Duke University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Chemistry on the pre-medical track. Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Morayo’s academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and sports...

🚀 Geocat Phase 1: Cloud Deployment is officially underway!

Kansas State University is taking a bold step forward in geospatial cyberinfrastructure with support from ROK Technologies, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Esri, and the Kansas Water Institute.

This next-generation platform will power cutting-edge research, transformative teaching, and impactful land-grant outreach across the state and beyond. 🌎💻📡

It's time to highlight our next , the Geographic Information Systems Spatial Analysis Laboratory!

GISSAL is a university core facility established in 1990 as an interdisciplinary center supporting geospatial research, learning, and outreach activities at Kansas State University. Thank you for being part of our team!

Check out more of our partners: https://tinyurl.com/yc5c89tt