Rate My Professor Katsuhiko Oda

Katsuhiko “Kirk” Oda, Ph.D., GISP, is an Associate Professor of Geographic Information Systems and Cartography at Tarrant County College District’s Trinity River Campus. He serves as the GIS Program Coordinator, leading the associate degree program in Geographic Information Systems within the STEM pathway. Oda also holds the position of Associate Professor and Department Chair, listed as a key contact for information technology programs such as programming, web applications programming, and cybersecurity. As an instructor in the GIS capstone course, he advises students on practical projects using the Esri Community Maps Editor App to update basemaps in ArcGIS Online. These projects involve adding geospatial features like sports fields, parking lots, and trees to high school campuses in the Tarrant County area, providing students with real-world experience and benefiting the local community.

In 2024, Oda won the AI Innovation Award from TCC’s AI Taskforce for integrating AI-enhanced tools into the GIS program. He teaches students to use deep learning modules within GIS software, including ArcGIS, for efficient and accurate interpretation of satellite imagery and aerial photographs. In his 2024 Vast-based Analysis class, students learned geospatial AI concepts and applied deep learning Python modules to detect specific objects on Earth, such as wind turbines and vehicles. Oda demonstrates ArcGIS, a software that gathers geographical data and presents it graphically. He organizes events like GIS Day to advance GIS and IT career development. Additionally, Oda is a member of the NCTX Aerial Robotics Advisory Committee in the post-secondary section. His contributions are noted for positively impacting students, faculty, area high schools, and other campuses.