The mission of the Education and Training Program is to develop and distribute information about the use of geospatial tools, maps and images for emergency response, natural resource management and economic development.

The Education and Training Program of the Columbia Center will provide training in the geospatial areas of GPS (Global Positioning Systems), GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and RS (Remote Sensing) through:

1. Workshops
2. Seminars and conferences
3. Public and academic presentations
4. Web-based interactive modules and written materials

The main target for the Education and Training materials will be regional professionals involved with emergency response, natural resource management, and economic development. Classes and training will be available to students seeking careers in geospatial sciences as well as faculty, namely those of Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), as well as faculty from University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

The programs offered by the Columbia Center will provide relevant geospatial training especially designed for first responders, including:

1. Emergency managers
2. Homeland Security directors
3. National Guard units
4. Fire and police personnel
5. Designated logistics individuals
6. Local government employees assigned duties during emergencies that are not part of their daily job description

Training modules will be offered to local, regional, and state government employees that will focus on how geospatial activities can be used in daily routines. The modules are designed to ensure that critical infrastructure is maintained accurately so that regular service delivery will continue to operate during an emergency. Training courses will be made available to public groups, including non-government organizations, youth and educational groups, outdoor sports organizations among others that desire to be more informed about geospatial technology and its broader applications.