The purpose of the joint South Dakota State University (SDSU)/United States Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science (USGS/EROS) Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence is to establish a joint program that will enable SDSU faculty and students, along with EROS scientists, to carry out collaborative research, seek professional development, and implement educational programs in the applications of geographic information science. By serving South Dakota, national and international communities through this research, we expect SDSU to be recognized as a global center of expertise in geographic information science studies.