Meet Shiloh Johnson: Leading ASU’s Geospatial Research and Solutions Team
With decades of public-sector GIS leadership and a commitment to student mentorship, Shiloh Johnson steps into a pivotal role advancing ASU’s geospatial innovation and impact across Arizona and beyond.
Arizona native Shiloh Johnson recently joined ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning as the new Senior Project Manager for Geospatial Research and Solutions (GRS), a professional services group that has provided cutting-edge geographic information science expertise to ASU and its partners for more than 20 years.
With over two decades of experience managing geospatial programs at the county level and a passion for mentoring students, Johnson now leads the talented GRS team in expanding ASU’s GIS footprint locally and globally.
We caught up with Shiloh to learn more about her background, vision for the future, and how she plans to advance ASU’s geospatial efforts.
Q: Welcome to ASU! Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to this new role?
Answer: I started my GIS career in 1998 as an assistant planner with Maricopa County Planning and Development, and I’ve been in the field ever since. Over the past 20 years, I worked in various GIS roles at Maricopa County, most recently as the GIS Program Manager for Emergency Management, Public Health, and Planning. I also led the county’s GIS response to COVID-19, managing operations in the Unified Command Center. I’ve always enjoyed mentoring students and interns—it’s inspiring to see their creativity and fresh ideas. This new role at ASU gives me the opportunity to keep doing that while expanding our impact.
Q: What does it mean to you to lead such an impactful and long-standing group like GRS?
A: It’s truly an honor. I’ve long admired the work of Shea Lemar and the GRS team—supporting both large-scale global efforts and local community projects. Now, to be part of this group that supports interdisciplinary research across ASU and help guide its future is incredibly exciting.
Q: What types of projects or partnerships are you most excited to support and grow?
A: I’m eager to continue supporting our wide range of partners—from the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona State Land Department to universities, nonprofits and tribal communities. GRS works on everything from archaeological site mapping to campus maps and transportation safety. We’re presenting at the Arizona Geographic Information Council (AGIC) Conference in Prescott this August, and I’m looking forward to deepening our statewide and local collaborations. As Vice Chair of AGIC, I also regularly engage with agencies across the state to help coordinate GIS efforts.
Q: How do you see your role contributing to the success of ASU’s Master of Geographic Information Systems program?
A: The MAS-GIS program is close to my heart—my husband Tim was part of its first cohort in 2005, so I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities it creates. GRS has long collaborated with ASU departments to develop courses that teach students how to apply GIS across disciplines. We support students through capstone projects, real-world client connections, and mentorship. Whether it’s mapping food vendors for Jose-Benito Rosales Chaves’ class or supporting wastewater risk research led by Maura Allaire, I'm here to provide the tools, resources, and guidance students need to succeed.
Q: GIS is increasingly being used to solve real-world challenges. How does that align with ASU’s mission?
A: GIS technology is rapidly evolving, and our work directly supports ASU’s values of innovation, sustainability, and community impact. From visualizing environmental data to supporting emergency planning, GIS helps communities plan smarter and engage more deeply. It’s also become a powerful tool for citizen science, giving people a voice and helping address complex social and environmental issues.
Q: What’s one thing people might not realize about the power of GIS?
A: Most people think of GIS in terms of maps and navigation—but it’s so much more. GIS is everywhere—impacting how your city is planned, how packages arrive, how public health responses are coordinated, and how businesses operate. It’s used across disciplines like sustainability, marketing, insurance, and emergency planning. GIS is becoming essential in fields many people wouldn’t expect.
Q: How can students get involved in GRS?
A: We regularly hire student workers and offer opportunities to collaborate on real-world GIS projects. Whether you're looking to build hands-on experience or just have questions about GIS, we encourage students to stop by, connect with our team, and learn how they can get involved.