We are pleased to announce that DECO (Division of Economic and Community Outreach) is now the Division of Innovation and Applied Research. Along with the new name, the Division has an updated mission to create customized solutions intended to solve some of the critical issues that Maryland's workforce and economy are facing. The Division comprises eight distinct, well-aligned research, administrative, and outreach entities, and serves as a point of entry for businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and community members who are interested in collaborating with Towson University. Through the Division's centers, offices, and institutes, a team of 70 expert researchers and technical staff members are available who possess diverse strengths, experience, and unique approaches to problem-solving. The Division remains primarily a self-support entity whose team members are located both on campus and in numerous state agencies in Maryland. Dyan Brasington, Vice President for Innovation and Applied Research, discusses her vision of the organization's purpose in a recent blog post.
Real Research. Real Results.
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Dawn Bott (Business Analysis & Management) and Bryan Brick (CGIS) review documentation requirements.
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Here's one small example that combines research-based learning with practical application. The Division was recently commissioned by a client to develop two major database systems in MS Access 2010 on a tight schedule. Very quickly, the Office of External Affairs, the Office of IT Services, CGIS, and the Business Analysis and Management units pooled project management, IT, programming, data, and technical writing resources to create a team focused on delivering quality products within 90 days. Bryan Brick, a GIS Programmer with CGIS, served as technical liaison for the project. He knew that good communication and delegation would be key factors in creating, testing, documenting, and deploying well-designed databases, on time. The project also gave two very skilled graduate students who were serving as IT interns valuable real-world development experience and the opportunity to put their first-rate Towson University education to work on a stable, sturdy product that fit the needs of the client perfectly.
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Christina Bell and Missy Valentino are suited up for safe data collection in the field.
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Project Notes Well Equipped for FieldworkIn his latest blog post, GIS Specialist Jeremy Monn talks about his appreciation for fieldwork and its significance to the data collection CGIS is doing for MTA. As GIS Specialist Christina Bell and Missy Valentino show in the image on the right, fieldwork requires technical and safety equipment suited to the project and the terrain, and can be a pleasant diversion from desk work.
You can read the blog post here. GIS and Our Local Food System
A few years ago, CGIS began helping the Center for a Livable Future with "Visualizing information to improve food systems" by developing the interactive
Maryland Food System Map and also helping with updates. Following the latest update, we were pleased to hear good news from Jamie Harding, GIS Specialist for CLF. "Thank you again for all your help leading up to our last release. We've had some positive feedback, including a request to present on the Mark Steiner show." Take a look at the interactive map see the geography of how food in our region is grown, processed, sold and consumed.
