Mark Guizlo is presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at GeoEd'24.

Mark Guizlo, professor of geography at Lakeland Community College, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence (GeoTech). The award, presented at the GeoEd'24 conference in Louisville, KY., recognizes Guizlo's long-term contributions to geospatial education at two-year colleges. Geospatial education relates to mapping and location services in a digital environment.

Since joining Lakeland in 2001, Guizlo has been instrumental in developing the college's geospatial technology programs. Along with his colleagues at Lakeland, Guizlo led the implementation of an Associate of Applied Science degree in Geospatial Technology, as well as technical and skills certificates in the field.

"This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our entire department and the support of Lakeland Community College," said Guizlo. "Our goal has always been to prepare students for the evolving demands of the geospatial technology industry, and this award reinforces the importance of that mission."

Lakeland's Geography and Geospatial Technology department received the 2020 American Association of Geographers Award for Program Excellence. The geospatial team at Lakeland also secured several grants, including a Geospatial Pathways Award from the Cleveland Foundation Fenn Fund and two Dominion Foundation Higher Education Awards, which were crucial in establishing the Geospatial Technology program at Lakeland.

GeoTech, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to expand the geospatial technology workforce through collaboration between colleges, universities and industry partners.

“Lakeland’s program was set up to meet the needs of the geospatial workforce and it is great to see so many successful alumni working for private companies, nonprofits and local government,” said Guizlo. “Mapping work is critical to flood prevention, habitat restoration and location services in utility industries.”

For more information about Lakeland Community College's Geospatial Technology programs and to view testimonials from some of Lakeland’s geospatial alumni, visit lakelandcc.edu/geography.

By: Levi Rex, Marketing Communications Specialist