Two Morgan State Students Accepted to Prestigious NorthStar of GIS Bridge Program

Student Memberships and Cash Grants to Diversify Network and Strengthen Knowledge in GIS

NorthStar of GIS, the nation’s leading organization committed to advancing Black and Black African diaspora in Geographic Information System (GIS), geography, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) recently named two Morgan scholars from the James H. Gilliam, Jr. College of Liberal Arts to the organization’s NorthStar Bridge Program Fall 2022 cohort. As participants, Political Science major Cybil Bailey and Psychology major Lenae Wharton will receive a cash grant from Esri and student memberships with the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) and American Association of Geographers (AAG).

Promoting Black scholarship in geography and GIS, the NorthStar Bridge program affords cohort participants access to career-building resources as members of URISA, a multidisciplinary geospatial organization that provides professional education and training. As a key member benefit, Bailey and Wharton will have access to GIS leaders, participate in mentorship, and in competitions as well as have opportunities to become student ambassadors. In addition, access to industry networking, grant eligibility, and research resources from the career development organization are among the other rewarding benefits of AAG student membership.

Beyond the student memberships, the NorthStar Bridge program established pathways for vital funding. Esri, a global market leader in GIS software, location intelligence, and mapping, provides program participants with a maximum cash grant of $5,000.

Bailey and Wharton maintain active schedules here at the National Treasure—in and outside the classroom—conducting research in their respective fields and holding leadership positions in campus-based student organizations. As president of the Geographical Peoples Society (GPS), Bailey has led environmental campus improvement efforts. While balancing roles with Morgan State’s Psychology Society and Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (SASHA), Wharton uses her skills for outreach and advocacy against sexual and domestic violence.

“Our future is brighter than ever thanks to pioneering students like [Cybil and Lenae], who I invite you to join me in applauding for their receipt of such an awesome award and opportunity to further ‘grow the future and lead the world’,” said Mark Barnes Ph.D., associate professor of History and Geography.

“Students who seek to broaden their education beyond the classroom and improve their campus community exemplify The Morgan Way.”

Congratulations to Cybil Bailey and Lenae Wharton for exemplifying Morgan leadership and excellence as 2022 NorthStar Bridge cohorts!