Geospatial Science Student Ellie Ihler is Mapping the Connection Between Data and the Outdoors
Published: December 12, 2025 | Author: Gabrielle Costello | Read Time: 2 minutes
At Southern Utah University (SUU), student Ellie Ihler is carving out a unique path that merges her passion for nature with cutting edge analysis. With a major in Geospatial Science and a minor in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, Ellie is crafting a future where she can utilize both to help protect and understand our environment.
A native of Cedar City, Ellie chose SUU in part because of its proximity to family, but also for its direct access to national forests, parks, trails, and recreation sites. “I love that SUU lets me combine my academic interests with my favorite surroundings,” she said.
Ellie began her academic journey focusing on outdoor recreation. But an introductory GIS (geographic information systems) course opened her eyes to new possibilities. Encouraged by her professor, she dove into spatial analysis, discovering how satellite and ground data can be used to solve problems such as wildfire risk, flood zones, and route planning.
Today, she sees geospatial science as a bridge between the physical world she loves and the analytical tools needed to protect it.
SUU has offered Ellie many opportunities to get out of the classroom and into the field. She has used GPS devices during fieldwork, is working toward a drone license, and has run her own projects using GIS software.
Her internships are equally diverse including visitor services intern at Cedar Breaks National Monument, creating programs, leading night sky events, and managing social media content. She’s also interned with Visit Cedar City Brian Head, gaining experience in tourism, communications, and community engagement.
Ellie credits Professor David Maxwell as a mentor who deepened her understanding of GIS and helped her weave together her interests in environmental science and recreation. “He showed me all the ways geospatial tools can connect to fields I care about,” she said.
Looking forward, Ellie is embracing flexibility. She plans to take on seasonal, field-based roles to explore her interests from wildfire drone operations to environmental data work. Her capstone project examines how fires, erosion, and recreation interact, but she also remains aware of how geospatial science informs health, politics, and infrastructure.
She credits SUU’s location and community as fundamental to her journey.
“There’s no better place to learn, explore, and grow,” Ellie said. For her, being a T-Bird means engaging with the environment, embracing curiosity, and using data to serve both people and the land.
Tags: Student Outdoors CurStu College of STEM T-Bird Stories Prospective Students
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