Institute for Geospatial Impact

About Us

A strong partner with geospatial industry leader, Esri, the IGI thrives on the cutting-edge application of the company's innovative technologies in higher education. The IGI designs spatial instructional activities, supports spatial instruction, and teaches GIS courses; engages in interdisciplinary spatial research; creates opportunities for spatial students to participate in community-based service-learning projects; fits students to spatial internships and career opportunities; organizes spatial networking events; and supports the use of GIS for campus planning, operations, maintenance, and sustainability. Discover our geospatial programs and explore how University of Redlands faculty and students are advancing GIS education and driving innovation.

Our Mission

• Promotes the use of GIS and related technologies to support the university’s mission of inclusive, impactful education.
• Collaborates with Esri as a leading adopter in higher education, integrating spatial tools into teaching, research, and campus operations.
• Designs spatial curriculum and fosters interdisciplinary research, community-based service learning, and sustainability initiatives.
• Connects students with internships, careers, and global service projects that apply geospatial skills to real-world challenges.
• Organizes events to showcase campus-wide spatial achievements.

Portfolio of Student and Faculty Projects

Explore our portfolio of student and faculty projects to see how the University of Redlands applies GIS and storytelling through ArcGIS StoryMaps. These projects demonstrate the integration of spatial analysis and narrative to address real-world issues, reflecting the interdisciplinary and applied nature of their academic work.

Highlighted Projects

The Geospatial Climate-Sustainability Initiative

Emily Pelissier, Dr. Tom Horan, Dr. Fang Ren, Dr. Valeree Roundtree, Dr. Julia Lenhardt, Miyoki Homma

The University of Redlands is committed to driving climate action and stands as a global leader in spatial education, offering premier undergraduate, graduate, and sustainable business programs. Bolstered by the Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions and the Institute for Geospatial Impact, the University launched the Geospatial, Climate, & Sustainability Initiative to pioneer interdisciplinary solutions at the critical nexus of climate change, business, and community resilience. As a collaborative team spanning diverse academic departments, the Geospatial, Climate, & Sustainability Initiative leverages cutting-edge geospatial technology to address complex environmental challenges and build long-term community resilience across all University of Redlands campuses.

2025 – 2026 funded projects include Panamapping: Forestry, Hydrology, & Sustainability Modules, Nature Documentaries & Biodiversity Analysis, Inheritances: Cultural, Infrastructural & Ecological Study Abroad, Heat Resilience and Land Conservancy in the Inland Empire, Salzburg Goes Green: Leveraging GIS to Deepen Socio-Cultural Inquiry, Assessing Renewable Energy Potential in Transportation Right-of-Ways, and Human Mobility, Air Quality Exposure, and Climate Resilience.

Arroyo Valley High School Dual Credit Enrollment program

Arroyo Valley High School students are charting their futures in a whole new way thanks to a first-of-its-kind dual credit partnership between the University of Redlands, San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), and Esri.

The collaboration officially launched October 2025 with a spirited signing ceremony at Arroyo Valley’s gym, where students and community members saw firsthand how geographic information systems (GIS) technology connects classrooms to career opportunities. Through the program, qualifying Arroyo Valley students can take GIS-related college courses during their regular school day—at no cost. These courses count for both high school and college credit, giving students a head start on higher education and a pathway into one of today’s fastest-growing fields.