About
CGA Mission
To provide access to geospatial technologies and expertise through teaching, communication, collaboration, and engagement across W&M while fostering and inspiring a diverse community of geospatial problem solvers for the next generation.
CGA Vision
A geospatially enabled community, where mapping and spatial analysis are ubiquitous in teaching, learning, and research across the university, supporting the Goals and Initiatives outlined in W&M's Vision 2026.
CGA Goal
To increase a deeper understanding of geospatial technologies, including web mapping, StoryMaps, cartographic support, GIS, remote sensing, GPS, and drones through four guiding principles:
- Teaching (courses, certificate program, workshops, trainings, guest lectures, and consultations)
- Engaging (student internships; faculty, campus, and community partnerships)
- Collaborating (faculty and student research, outreach to academic departments and schools)
- Communicating (events, speakers, email listserv, and social media)
History of the CGA
The CGA was founded in 2008 as an interdisciplinary program at William & Mary to promote the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and associated tools. Today, the CGA is a vibrant center on the 2nd floor of Swem Library available to W&M faculty, staff, and students, as well as the broader community, for all things related to mapping and the visualization of spatial data. With the support of grants from Mellon, NSF, and internal awards, we're able to provide access to common GIS and remote sensing (RS) software packages, including open-source alternatives. We also have mapping equipment, including handheld GPS units, map plotters, and large format scanners and printers.
