Richard Schultz

Dr. Rich Schultz is currently an Associate Research Scientist at the Prairie Research Institute as part of the Illinois State Geological Survey at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. He has prior experience as a tenured faculty member, university program coordinator and program director, creator of three entirely online programs in geospatial technologies, associate dean, and Chief Digital Learning Officer. He has served as the Associate Director of the National Science Foundation-funded National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence (GeoTech Center) in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Dr. Schultz is an internationally recognized expert on geospatial education and the sole or senior author of more than ninety publications, book chapters, presentations, and abstracts. His major areas of research are online/distance learning, spatial cognition and geospatial thinking, unmanned aerial systems (drones), global climate change, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and the use of technology in teaching geography literacy. He has received over $7.3 million in extramural funding to support his research and was the Co-PI with two National Science Foundation grants focusing on GIS education and unmanned aerial systems (UASs).

Dr. Schultz was the recipient of the 2008 Distinguished National Teaching Award from the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE). Dr. Schultz also received the “GIS Service Award” for geospatial education service to the Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA) in October 2009 and was the inaugural recipient of the Richard Hilton Collaboration Award from ILGISA in 2010. He served as the North American editor of Reviews in Geographical Education Online (RIGEO), on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Geography for the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) as well as having served as the NCGE National Vice President for Products and Publications. He formerly served as the chair of the Geography Education Specialty Group (GESG) for the Association of American Geographers (AAG) and sits on the editorial boards for several prominent international journals. He is currently the President of the Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA).

Education

• Ph.D., Geology/Geochemistry, University of Cincinnati 
• M.S., Geology, Wichita State University
• B.S., Geology, Illinois State University

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• President, Board Member, Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA)
• Member, Geological Society of America
• Member, MidAmerica GIS Consortium (MAGIC)

Additional Info

Registrations and Licenses

• Licensed FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot
• Licensed Professional Geologist, American Geological Institute
• Certified GIS Professional, GIS Certification Institute