The 2020 scholarship winners demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature of the field of GEOINT
Herndon, Virginia (August 31, 2020)—The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) awarded $103,000 in scholarships this year to individuals studying geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and related topics. The recipients chosen this year by our dedicated scholarship committee demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature of the field of GEOINT. These students come from all walks of life: geography/geospatial technologies and analytics, computer science, meteorology, ecology, geosciences, law and diplomacy, nuclear submarine warfare experts, and speakers of Mandarin and French. But they are guided by a common goal: thirst for knowledge.
Since the USGIF Scholarship Program began in 2004, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million to students with aspirations in GEOINT to further the advancement of the geospatial tradecraft. USGIF is dedicated to assist promising students studying GEOINT, geospatial sciences, and related fields. It also recognizes the achievements of graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
USGIF offers $5,000 scholarships annually to outstanding doctoral candidates, graduate students, and undergraduate students as well as $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The Stu Shea USGIF Endowed Scholarship, which was awarded earlier this year, recognizes a Ph.D. student studying cartography, geography, or imaging science.
The 2020 USGIF scholarship winners are:
Stu Shea USGIF Endowed Scholarship:
Wendy L. Zeller Zigaitis, Pennsylvania State University*
RGi Scholarship for Geospatial and Engineering:
Beth Wiberg, Ohio State University
Ken Miller Scholarship for Advanced Remote Sensing Applications:
Tyler Susa, Johns Hopkins University*
Doctorate:
Clare Gaffey, Clark University
Chelsea L. Cervantes de Blois, University of Minnesota
Megan Coffer, North Carolina State University
Ian McGregor, North Carolina State University
Graduate:
Evelyn Burch Jones, Johns Hopkins University *
Samantha Hubner, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Grayson R. Morgan, University of South Carolina*
Sam Carani, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Undergraduate:
Brandon Staple, University of Colorado – Denver
Addison Scufsa, University of Minnesota
Alex Chrvala, University of Mary Washington
Paul Lin, University of Pennsylvania
Graduating High School Seniors:
Landry Wells, Central Magnet School, Tn; now attending University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Maureen Theresa Howard, Fairfax High School, Va; now attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington*
Aidan Smith, BASIS DC, Dc; now attending George Washington University
Elisa Luckabaugh, Fairfax High School, Va; now attending the University of Mary Washington
*These institutions are accredited by USGIF to award GEOINT Certificates along with their degree programs.
Learn more about the USGIF Scholarship Program at usgif.org/education/scholarships.
