Chris Shaffer

Title: GIS Manager/Instructor, Environmental Science and Sustainability (ESS), Allegheny College

About: 

• Specialize in the use of geospatial technologies including geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing and image processing, and small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to help solve problems and support decisions that impact our environment

• 25+ years of experience in digital geographic data entry, editing, conversion, management, query, visualization, analysis, modeling, and cartographic design on desktop, mobile, and Web-based applications

• Teach courses (ENVSC 305/306: Environmental GIS I/II, 590: Independent Study, and 600/610: Senior Project I/II), support faculty teaching and student research, help facilitate experiential learning opportunities with local stakeholders, and manage the Carr Hall GIS lab

Interests: I am particularly interested in the various approaches to GIS-based multicriteria evaluation such as Boolean, weighted linear combination, analytical hierarchy process, and fuzzy logic. To this end, I teach students about the ways in which digital geographic data can be transformed into new information through map manipulation and overlay techniques in both vector and raster-based environments. I also have a passion for all things related to geodatabase design and creation, query and visualization, geoprocessing and modeling, image interpretation and classification, geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), and sUAS mission planning and operations.

Experience:
2015-Present: GIS Manager/Instructor, Environmental Science and Sustainability Dept., Allegheny College
2010-2015: GIS Manager, Environmental Science Dept., Allegheny College
2000-2010: GIS Laboratory Manager, Environmental Science Dept., Allegheny College

Education:
B.S. Major in Geography (GIS concentration), Minor in Information Systems
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 2000

Curriculum Vitae:
Click here (Last updated May 2025)

Hobbies: I love the outdoors! You can find me hiking out on the trail, with Erie Bluffs and Cook Forest being among my favorites, or fishing for largemouth bass on Tamarack Lake. I've planted over 100 trees on my property. Pin oak, Red oak, Norway spruce, and White pine are my preferred varieties. I have a passion for volleyball, both indoor and sand. I also enjoy exploring new places and DIY projects around the house.