Geography, Urban & Environment Studies

Advancing Broadband Equity through Learning Intermediaries in the Neighborhoods of Chicago (ABE-LINC), will tackle the digital divide by expanding broadband, distributing laptops and improving digital literacy through navigators conducting community outreach and training. In Chicago, over 15% of households don’t have access to internet or internet- enabled devices including laptop computers, tablets, or smartphones, which impacts families’ ability to access education and workplace opportunities.

We are looking for student workers; contact Dr. Daniel Block at dblock@smxjjl.com for more information

CROCUS is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded to build a knowledge base of urban climate science that exploits the understanding of heterogeneous local drivers and impacts of climate-related challenges to inform solutions for resilient, sustainable, and prosperous cities. Chicago State University is a great place to fulfill this goal as its location on the city's southern end, along Bishop Ford Expressway and other busy roads, and its proximity to the Calumet region and Greater Chatham neighborhoods often impacted by floods. The university has three distinct urban ecosystems: natural prairie, grassland reclaimed from railroad construction landfills, and built-up areas to investigate the dynamics of local drivers and impacts of climate change.  CSU has already made history by becoming an Urban IFL' scientific supersite' in Chicago's South Side with sensors capabilities of measuring temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation; wind speed and direction; atmospheric pressure and constituents (Aerosols, NO2, NO, CO, and O3); soil moisture, heat, and CO2 fluxes; groundwater heads and electronic conductivity; and sap flux and transpiration.

We are looking for student workers; contact Dr. Tek Gala at tgala@smxjjl.com for more information.

“My graduate experience at CSU provided me with the confidence, background knowledge, and tools I needed to effectively organize Chicago residents and City Agencies in my role as a Community Organizer at the Chicago Police Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to CSU, I learned that community development involves improving the quality of life through city planning, equity, and spatial awareness.

I am also able to apply research and geographic measurement techniques to make equitable decisions tailored to the needs of the populations I serve in vulnerable communities throughout Chicago. Currently, after having served on multiple committees within the Chicago Police Department and receiving two honorable mentions, I have been promoted to Area Youth Service Coordinator for the Far South Side of Chicago.

I earnestly recommend the CSU Geography graduate program and certification in Community Development for students seeking careers in community engagement, organizing, policing, coordination, and problem-solving.”

– Staneé Wills, Youth Service Coordinator, Chicago Police Department, Class of 2022

I came to CSU from Iraq as an international student to pursue my Master's degree in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I had the privilege of gaining invaluable knowledge and skills that have propelled my career in the GIS domain. The comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty guidance, and hands-on learning opportunities were instrumental in shaping my expertise. My academic journey not only honed my technical proficiency with GIS software but also fostered critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The transition from academia to the professional realm was seamless, thanks to the practical experience and industry insights gained through internships and projects facilitated by the GIS program. One of the highlights of my career was my tenure as a GIS Analyst with VetFedCareNet Healthcare Company, where I played a pivotal role in leveraging GIS technology to improve healthcare services for veterans along the West Coast of the United States. The interdisciplinary approach fostered by the Geography Department at CSU empowered me to apply GIS methodologies across different sectors, amplifying the impact of spatial analysis in addressing societal needs.

I am immensely grateful for the education and mentorship I received at CSU. The rigorous academic curriculum, coupled with the supportive learning environment, laid the groundwork for my professional success.”

– Zana Ghareeb, Engineering & Development Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Class of 2022