The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Gallaudet University recently held their first ever jointly sponsored geospatial conference, GeoSpectrum, bringing together members of academia, government and private industry for a discussion on how diverse thought and personnel can help address some of our most urgent humanitarian crises.
CBS Senior Investigative Reporter Catherine Herridge emceed the occasion, moderating a conversation between Gallaudet President Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano and NGA Director Vice Admiral Robert Sharp. Herridge also hosted a fireside chat with ODNI’s Director of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Rita Sampson. Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Adam Schiff delivered remarks, while Howard University, the University of Central Missouri, NGA and Gallaudet University demonstrated research findings.
NGA and Gallaudet signed an educational partnership agreement that would include NGA sharing its expertise, equipment and facilities with Gallaudet students and faculty. In an employment setting in which STEM professionals are highly sought after, NGA recognizes that the successful recruitment of the next generation of its workforce involves tapping into the rich talents of diverse members of society. NGA highly prizes the unique visual analytic capabilities possessed by certain members of Gallaudet University’s deaf and hard of hearing community.