Navigating from classroom to career

University of Redlands was more than just a stepping stone for Lisa Berry ’13, —it became the foundation for a transformational journey in geographic information systems (GIS) and a hub of enduring relationships that continue to shape her career.

Now a senior GIS Engineer and ArcGIS Living Atlas Evangelist at Esri—the leader in GIS technology—Berry returned to her alma mater as a keynote speaker for the MS GIS/Esri Colloquium during Geography Week (November 18–22). Hosted by the Institute for Geospatial Impact (IGI), the colloquium embraced the theme “Mapping Minds, Shaping the World” and featured Berry’s insights into the boundless possibilities of GIS.

“GIS is multi-faceted and transformational for the way that we manage and understand the world around us,” Berry said. “You can map anything. GIS is everywhere. You can bring your passion and excitement into the world of GIS—as a hobby, my family and I race cars. Using GIS, I've mapped our racing data and was able to assess my racing technique and refine it.”

Reflecting on her time as a student, Berry credited the MS GIS program with preparing her for her career while allowing her to form lasting connections, including one with Professor Ruijin Ma, whose guidance has been instrumental in her professional development.

“He’s given me opportunities to come back and speak to students via colloquiums, I've taught as an adjunct professor in [the MS GIS] program, and I've led workshops,” Berry said. “He opened the door to bring me back into the University, so I'm very grateful.”

Throughout Geography Week, the campus community was invited to fly a drone with IGI staff Nate Strout and Will Wagner, experience VR at the makerspace, hear from the Center for Spatial Business Speaker Wendy Keyes, Ph.D. from Esri, engage in a resume review 1:1 with Esri and the Office of Career and Professional Development, and play in a disc golf tournament.

Berry said she is excited to see Redlands and IGI expand into the future of GIS education and career development.

“When I was a student, you could only do the master's program, and the fact that [there are now] options for undergraduates is exciting to see,” Berry said. “[U of R] is a great place to learn the possibilities, even if you don't know what GIS is. The undergraduate gives you an opportunity to learn about the topic. The master's program offers you the opportunity to go further with your education and our relationship with Esri. You have more resources than you can find anywhere else when it comes to GIS, especially if you want to have a link with Esri.”

Learn more about GIS programs through the Institute for Geospatial Impact.