1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »Tabor selected for prestigious Esri geographic information systems internship

K-State Today

April 18, 2013

Tabor selected for prestigious Esri geographic information systems internship

Submitted by Shawn Hutchinson

Kansas State University doctoral student Lisa Tabor, Manhattan, has been recognized for her success at integrating geographic information systems, or GIS, with K-12 education programs.

Tabor, a doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, has accepted an internship offer with the Environmental Systems Research Institute, or Esri, education team this summer in Redlands, Calif.  Approximately 60 students from around the world are offered internships each year by Esri. Tabor is one of only a few Kansas State University students to participate in this prestigious program and the first Wildcat to join the Esri Education Team. 

Shawn Hutchinson, associate professor of geography and director of K-State’s undergraduate certificate in GIS and graduate certificate in geographic information science, or GIScience, said that receiving an internship offer from Esri is unusual given the number and quality of the students who apply each year. 

"That Esri wanted Lisa to join their education team this summer speaks highly to how she was able to communicate her vision for using GIS to improve spatial literacy and thinking skills," Hutchinson said. "She, and Esri, understand that GIS has a role in attracting and retaining top young scholars in science, technology and engineering fields and that work starts in the K-12 classroom."

As an intern, Tabor will have the opportunity to work on desktop support, internal training, technical writing, curriculum development, participate in Esri workshops and conferences, and assist the business support team. Working and learning with the Esri education team helps Tabor’s career goals of enhancing personal knowledge of GIS, becoming better known in the field of GIS education, and learning about additional opportunities, programs and tools, which can be used to support social studies and science education in Kansas. 

"This is a well-deserved and great opportunity for Lisa," said John Harrington, professor of geography and coordinator of the Kansas Geographic Alliance. "She is on a trajectory to become a leading early career scholar on the intersection of geography, GIScience and science education. Given her role in the Kansas Geographic Alliance, our K-12 teachers in Kansas will greatly benefit from this exciting opportunity for Lisa’s career development."

Tabor is ready to begin her internship and looks forward to connecting with and learning from those who love GIS and see its role in the classroom growing. 

"I'm excited to participate in the program and interact with global leaders in GIS and GIS education, as well as work with a respected business that contributes greatly to the field of GIS education and supports student learning internationally," Tabor said.