HSSU receives funding to push Geospatial Intelligence programming among HBCU

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), along with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Unleashing Potential and Gateway Global, have received funding to advance the Geospatial Intelligence vision in the St. Louis area.
T-REX, the innovation and entrepreneurial development center located in downtown St. Louis, has created a geospatial programming initiative through the Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The PIA creates avenues for the schools to engage with NGA in order to forge pathways for students who are interested in the field of geospatial intelligence.

With the funding the University has received, The Department of STEM Initiatives will host a geospatial summer immersion program and will include students from other Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation.

Dr. Freddie Wills, HSSU’s Vice President for STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships, is excited about the unique opportunity that the University has with being invited to participate in this initiative.

“This project will allow Harris-Stowe State University to fortify and expand its growth in geospatial sciences and technologies and will advance the community efforts to develop expertise and recognition on a national scale as a center for geospatial expertise,” Dr. Wills said. “The focus on inclusive engagement in these important opportunities is also critical. We are excited to work with T-REX and NGA on growing this national program into the future.”

The PIA allows NGA to engage with non-traditional organizations, companies and small businesses to transfer technology, drive the geospatial market and conduct pre-acquisition discovery support. General objectives outlined in the agreement include increasing STEM capacity in underserved communities, creating a repository of unclassified imagery and data to support academic and industry engagement, and leveraging university researchers to contribute to innovation.

This opportunity to expand upon the great work that HSSU is already doing in the STEM department further solidifies the university as a name within the Geospatial Intelligence community. For students who wish to participate in the summer immersion program, be sure to apply.