SLU to Hold GIS Day November 20
11/15/2024
ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University will host GIS (Geographic Information System) Day on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The one-day conference will feature speakers who work on GIS projects in the St. Louis region.
GIS Day at SLU will bring together academics, industry professionals, and community members who are passionate about geographic information. GIS is a combination of hardware, software, data, users, and procedures that work together to create a geospatial analysis system.
The event will feature a keynote speech, panels on GIS in Saint Louis, and careers in GIS.
Ness Sandoval, Ph.D., professor of sociology and anthropology at Saint Louis University, will give the keynote address. Sandoval’s research tells stories using maps and data.
Sandoval’s address is titled Bridge - Building Research and Integration through Data, GISc, and Environment.
“This presentation explores how geographic patterns emerge and evolve within urban landscapes through advanced spatial decomposition and GIScience methodologies,” said Sandoval. “By analyzing socio-environmental interactions, we reveal the factors driving disparities in access to critical resources, infrastructure, and opportunities.”
The GIS Day session will conclude with a workshop on building Digital Twins with ArcGIS.
“Case studies from St. Louis city highlights how spatial science can illuminate the relationships between physical and social environments, guiding actionable solutions for resilient and inclusive urban systems,” Sandoval said. “This work underscores the importance of socio-environmental synthesis and spatial analysis in addressing urban challenges and fostering sustainable growth in Saint Louis City. The findings contribute to a growing body of research that positions GIScience as a critical tool for advancing equity and resilience in metropolitan regions.”
The event is hosted by SLU’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
GIS Day Conference Details
- When: 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20
- Where: Sinquefield Stateroom, DuBourg Hall Room 409
- Cost: Free
Latest Newslink
- Saint Louis University Launches Tuition Promise Covering Full Undergraduate Tuition for Eligible StudentsStarting in fall 2026, eligible first-time freshmen will be able to attend the University without paying undergraduate tuition through a new initiative aimed at expanding college access and affordability. The SLU Tuition Promise is for students from families with a combined Adjusted Gross Income of $60,000 or less and limited assets.
- SLU Chess Qualifies for Collegiate Chess ChampionshipSaint Louis University chess teams are heading to the Collegiate Chess Championship. The Billikens recently competed in the 2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship in Oak Brook, IL. SLU’s A Team finished fourth and secured a spot Collegiate Chess Championship finals, known as the President's Cup or colloquially as the “Final Four.” Additionally, the SLU B-Team was the top women’s squad at the tournament and will advance to the inaugural Women's President’s Cup.
- Building Connection and Collaboration: SLU President, Local Leaders Headline Leadership Speaker SeriesSaint Louis University’s Emerson Leadership Institute and Edward Jones Speaker Series will feature SLU President Edward Feser, Ph.D., as part of a joint speaker series on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Feser will speak on the theme, “Great Cities, Great Universities: Leading With Hope to Strengthen Our Shared Community,” sharing his vision for how SLU can lead boldly, collaborate meaningfully, and serve as an anchor of opportunity in St. Louis.
- SLU Hosting Journalists for 'Candid Conversations in Turbulent Times'The Saint Louis University American Studies Department will host award-winning ABC News anchor Linsey Davis and SLU alum John Krull (American Studies, '84) for the program "Candid Conversations in Turbulent Times." The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in the Anheuser Busch Auditorium in Cook Hall.
- Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Ph.D.: 1955-2025Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Ph.D., associate professor of educational studies, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. She was 70 years old. Pierce joined Saint Louis University in 2015 as an assistant professor in the School of Education. Initially a literacy specialist in the undergraduate program, she eventually taught and mentored across all levels at the School of Education. She became an associate professor in 2022.
- Saint Louis University Student Speaks About Leadership and Disability at Ignatian Family Teach-In for JusticeSaint Louis University senior Grace LoPiccolo shared her personal leadership journey at the 2025 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. The event, held annually in Washington, D.C., is the nation’s largest Catholic social justice advocacy day.
