ABOUT
Geography shapes our world today and our future.
More than mere place names —
“To know by heart a whole gazetteer full of them would not, in itself, constitute anyone a geographer. Geography has higher aims than this: it seeks to classify phenomena (alike of the natural and of the political world, in so far as it treats of the latter), to compare, to generalize, to ascend from effects to causes, and, in doing so, to trace out the great laws of nature and to mark their influences upon man. This is ‘a description of the world’—that is Geography. In a word Geography is a Science—a thing not of mere names but of argument and reason, of cause and effect.”— William Hughes 1863
Well over a decade ago, I found the book “On Becoming a Professional Geographer” ed. M. Kenzer (1989) a wonderful resource throughout my career as a graduate student. I find it as relevant today as I did then and cite it as recommended reading. As a full-fledged Professional Geographer, I share my thoughts on topics ranging from geography in the news, technology, policy, mapping, and more.
Jill Saligoe-Simmel, Ph.D. is a geographer specializing in projects that build community, rally stakeholders, and enable people to make maps. Her experience includes project development and conceptualization, client liaison, grant writing, public communications, informing public policy, and strategic planning. Her activities typically involve cartography, spatial research, writing, and presentation. She has worked on projects with not-for-profit groups, local, state and federal governments, private sector, and universities to support their objectives.
Jill and her partner Graham Cox are owners of Mapdiva, LLC, makers of Ortelius™ – powerful map illustration software. Jill is also owner of Saligoe-Simmel, LLC a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. She is the former Executive Director of the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC), former member of the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) Board of Directors. She is recipient of the 2006 NSGIC Outstanding Service Award and IGIC’s 2009 David C. Ford Special Achievement Award. Jill received her Ph.D. in Resource Geography from Oregon State University, M.A. from Indiana State University and B.S. from Ball State University, both in Physical Geography. Her interests are in cartography, regional planning, GIS policy and planning, and geospatial analysis. She has more than 15 years of experience, including teaching, research, analysis, and project management. Jill has been a visiting and adjunct professor at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
