GIS DAY @ CSUN Register
CSUN Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, established 1957

CSUN Geography
+ Environmental Studies

Nov 9
2026

GIS Day at CSUN

“GIS in Action: Mapping Solutions to Real-World Challenges”

Monday, November 9 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · University Student Union, CSUN

Five Geography and Environmental Studies students smiling in front of the department banner at a conference.
Students at conference
Two students surveying a grassy field with a tripod-mounted level and a survey rod, mountains behind them.
Fieldwork survey
A group of Geography and Environmental Studies students and faculty at the department booth in a campus lobby.
Department group

Geography and Environmental Studies students and faculty

Bringing students, GIS professionals and industry leaders together to connect, learn and explore the future of GIS.

A full day of presentations, professional panels, student projects, networking and career connections — and a look at how GIS is being used to solve real-world challenges beyond the classroom.

PROGRAM

Monday, Nov 9

  1. Registration, breakfast & morning networking

    8:00 AM

  2. Opening Remarks

    Dean Yan Searcy, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Regan Maas, Chair of Geography and Environmental Studies

    8:40 AM

  3. Opening keynote

    Duane Waliser

    Chief Scientist, Earth Science and Technology Directorate, NASA JPL

    9:00 AM

  4. “Where GIS Can Take You”

    A careers panel with Josh Ball, Roxan Rivas, Luke Bryden, Christopher J. Morneau and Dr. Steve Steinberg, moderated by Luis DeVera

    10:00 AM

  5. “From Classroom to Career: Applied GIS at CGST”

    Danielle Bram

    Director, Center for Geospatial Science and Technology

    10:45 AM

  6. “Geography Goes Viral”

    With Evan Lovett (LA In A Minute), Malia Miglino (LA History Girl) and Jason Farhang (Weather Daddy), moderated by CSUN alum Ashlee Campbell

    11:15 AM

  7. Lunch, networking & student posters

    12:30 PM

  8. “Faculty & Geography Educators”

    Dr. Joshua Fisher, Dr. Paloma Giottonini and Dr. Sanchayeeta Adhikari, moderated by David Lawerence

    1:30 PM

  9. “Drone Skills, Second Chances & Workforce Development”

    Captain LaDale Hayes and Dr. Dena Hayes of Operation Flame, Dr. Sheila Steinberg, Kevin Zemlick and Hilary Johnson, moderated by Melinda Collins

    2:15 PM

  10. Refreshment break

    3:00 PM

  11. “GIS for a Resilient Los Angeles”

    Luis Garcia, Henry Durand and Carlos Reyes-Andrade, GIS specialists across the City of Los Angeles, moderated by Dejanea Williams

    3:15 PM

  12. Afternoon networking & student posters

    4:00 PM

  13. Student GIS Awards

    Presented by Dr. Amalie Orme, GAERG Coordinator

    4:30 PM

  14. Closing Remarks

    Dr. Regan Maas

    4:50 PM

  15. After party

    Dave & Buster’s

    9301 Tampa Ave, Suite 212, Northridge. Self-funded; 21+ after 10:00 PM.

    Afterward

SPEAKERS

+ Panelists

Opening keynote

Dr. Duane Waliser

Chief Scientist, Earth Science and Technology Directorate, NASA JPL

Welcome

Dean Yan Searcy

Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Welcome & closing

Dr. Regan Maas

Department Chair, Geography and Environmental Studies

  • Dr. Sanchayeeta Adhikari Professor, Geography and Environmental Studies
  • Chris Aldana Planning Technician, City of Burbank
  • David Alexander Director Sales Manager, Eagleview AI
  • Josh Ball Project Coordinator, Canopy Team
  • Danielle Bram Director, Center for Geospatial Science and Technology
  • Luke Bryden Water Resource Analyst, Carpinteria Valley Water District
  • Henry Durand GIS Specialist, LA Sanitation & Environment
  • Jason Farhang Weather Daddy
  • Dr. Joshua Fisher Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, Chapman University; Science Lead, Hydrosat, Inc.
  • Luis Garcia GIS Specialist, City of Los Angeles
  • Dr. Paloma Giottonini Professor, Urban Studies and Planning
  • Dr. Dena Hayes COO, Operation Flame
  • Captain LaDale Hayes Founder, Operation Flame
  • Dr. Ryan Horne Digital Research Specialist
  • Hilary Johnson GAERG Coordinator
  • Evan Lovett LA In A Minute
  • Malia Miglino LA History Girl
  • Christopher J. Morneau Principal GIS Analyst, LA County Planning
  • Carlos Reyes-Andrade GIS Specialist, LA Department of Recreation and Parks
  • Roxan Rivas Director of Strategic Development, North East Trees
  • Robert Sedano Land Surveying Supervisor, LADWP; Part 107 drone pilot
  • Dr. Sheila Steinberg Director, Institute for Sustainability
  • Dr. Steve Steinberg GIO for Los Angeles County, and Educator
  • Kevin Zemlick Senior Program Project Coordinator, Project Rebound

Moderators

Ashlee CampbellArchaeological Field Technician, Envicom Corp

Melinda CollinsPart-Time Lecturer and Graduate Student, CSUN

Luis DeVeraDistrict Environmental Scientist, California State Parks Great Basin District

David LawerencePart-Time Lecturer & Geography PhD Candidate

Dejanea WilliamsTransportation Planning Associate, LA Department of Transportation

Masters of ceremonies

Parsa Keshavarz AlamdariMaster's student, Geography and Environmental Studies

Jordan RoseMaster of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Arson KimUndergraduate, Geography and Environmental Studies

Student award presenter

Dr. Amalie OrmeProfessor and GAERG Coordinator

Event organizers

Rebecca ThompsonMaster of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Hilary JohnsonGAERG Coordinator

Dr. Regan MaasDepartment Chair, Geography and Environmental Studies

Cassandra BlandingAdministrative Support Coordinator I

Career Networking Fair

All day

California State Parks / Canopy Team / Carpinteria Valley Water District / City of Burbank / City of Los Angeles / City of Ventura / CSUN Police Services / Eagleview AI / Los Angeles County / Los Angeles City Planning / LADWP / LA Emergency Management Department / LA Recreation and Parks / Los Angeles Public Library / LA Sanitation / NASA & JPL / National Park Service / North East Trees

With CSUN programs & groups

Geography and Environmental Studies · Geomatics & Aerial Environmental Research Group (GAERG) · Center for Geospatial Science and Technology · Institute for Sustainability · Urban Studies and Planning · CSUN Geography Club

Presenting a student project? Posters are shown during lunch and the afternoon networking session.

Submit a poster

Venue

University Student Union

California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330

CSUN campus map for GIS Day. Parking Structure G3 is highlighted near the Zelzah Avenue and Prairie Street entrance. Event rooms in the University Student Union are labeled: Northridge Center for the morning session, Reseda Room for lunch and Grand Salon for the afternoon.
Event map · Open full size (opens in a new tab) · ArcGIS Online Map (opens in a new tab)

Parking

  • Park in the G3 Parking Lot or Parking Structure (shown on the map), near the Zelzah Avenue and Prairie Street entrance.
  • Print the pre-paid parking pass and display it on your dashboard where parking officers can see it.

Walking to the Northridge Center Complex

  1. After parking, walk toward the Student Recreation Center (SRC).
  2. When you reach the SRC, turn left.
  3. Continue straight and follow the posted signs to the Northridge Center Complex.
  4. The Northridge Center Complex is on the 1st floor, across the courtyard from Subway and the Valera NEST.

Open in Google Maps

After party: Dave & Buster's, 9301 Tampa Ave, Suite 212, Northridge. Self-funded; 21+ after 10:00 PM.

Registration is free and helps us plan food and seating.
Follow @csun_geogenv and @csungeomatics for updates.

CSUN Geography and
Environmental Studies

Website designed by: Aaron Kim & Rebecca Thompson with GAERG labs