THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University’s geomatics program received the 2025 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Education Award. This $10,000 award recognizes outstanding university surveying programs.
Nicholls State University was the only institution in Louisiana to receive this award. This is the fifth time the program has been recognized with this award as a top ten program in the nation for 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2023 by NCEES.
During GIS Day, an annual event celebrating Geographic Information Systems-based technologies, the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board Executive Director Donna Sentell presented the award to Nicholls geomatics.
Nicholls’ GIS Day celebration also featured outreach tables hosted by T. Baker Smith, Navigation Electronics Inc., Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board, Morris P. Hebert, Inc. and The Hub, along with hands-on geomatics activities for 45 high school students from Hahnville, Terrebonne High School and Covenant Christian Academy. Students participated in interactive demonstrations, including a drone demonstration.
“The Nicholls Geomatics Program is the only four-year geomatics program in Louisiana, distinguished by its hands-on curriculum and strong industry connections that result in graduates being highly competitive in the national workforce.” said Dr. Esra Tekdal Yilmaz, director of Wm Clifford Smith School of Engineering and associate professor of geomatics.
With 100% job placement, the Nicholls geomatics program blends traditional surveying and mapping with advanced technologies such as the Global Navigation Satellite System, Geographic Information Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and laser scanning.
The Wm. Clifford Smith School of Engineering provides programs in geomatics and pre-engineering, as well as civil and mechanical engineering, in partnership with the University of New Orleans. Through this agreement, students can complete UNO’s Bachelor of Science in mechanical, civil or other pre-engineering pathways on Nicholls’ campus, then transfer seamlessly to UNO to finish their degrees in their senior year.
To learn more about engineering and applied sciences at Nicholls, click here.
About NCEES
The NCEES Engineering and Surveying Education Awards recognize programs that have a broad and robust curriculum, with the awards intended to encourage programs to engage their students with other professionals, introduce them to new technology and promote licensure. The vision of NCEES is to provide leadership in professional licensure of engineers and surveyors through excellence in uniform laws, licensing standards and professional ethics in order to shape the future of professional licensure.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu