Geographic Information Systems Council

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has established itself internationally as an urban-based, multi-disciplinary geographic information systems institution that utilizes GIS technology and unique government data in the education of future professionals.

Since 1988, the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) has experienced a rapidly increasing interest in geographic information systems (GIS) from existing and prospective students, faculty from many different disciplines, and a number of outside public and private organizations. In that year, two GIS courses were introduced to graduate and undergraduate students from various academic programs at the University. As time went on and more courses were added, more faculty and students became aware of the vast potential that GIS technology offered in so many different disciplines.

Each year, as word about the program spreads, new students are attracted to the GIS-related education and research facilities at the University. Increasingly, organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors are expressing interest in the University’s capabilities related to GIS technology. This interest, combined with the availability of authentic local government data from the City of Milwaukee and other sources (such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), have worked to create a powerful educational, research, and urban service capacity for the University.