Mapping success and inspiring the future: Spartan Geographer Mike Cousins honored with two prestigious Esri SAG Awards
July 29, 2026
Mike Cousins (far right) was presented with two Special Achievement in GIS Awards by Esri President Jack Dangermond at its recent User Conference in San Diego. Photo courtesy of Esri.
In the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the 2026 Esri User Conference is the ultimate stage. It is where the most innovative, impactful, and transformative geospatial work on the planet is recognized. This year, the spotlight shines brightly on one of Michigan State University’s own: R. Michael "Mike" Cousins, GISP, member and former chair of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences Alumni Advisory Board.
In a rare and extraordinary achievement, Mike has been honored with not just one, but two Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Awards at the Esri User Conference. These awards recognize organizations and individuals who have shown stellar leadership and pushed the boundaries of what is possible using GIS technology.
For Mike—a Partner and GIS Practice Leader at Esri Gold Partner firm OHM Advisors—these dual accolades are a powerful testament to a career built on innovation, collaboration, and a deep-seated commitment to mentoring the next generation of spatial thinkers.
Driving Enterprise Excellence with YCUA
Mike’s first SAG Award highlights his technical leadership and problem-solving prowess in municipal infrastructure. Collaborating with the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA), Mike and his team at OHM Advisors stepped in to solve critical limitations in the authority's standalone GIS environment.
By guiding YCUA through a complex upgrade to a full base deployment of ArcGIS Enterprise, Mike’s team empowered the authority to seamlessly integrate field-collected asset data, maximize their licensing, and streamline mobile work orders. The project didn't just solve an immediate business problem; it laid the groundwork for future-forward initiatives like utility networks and the creation of digital twins for sewer assets. Under Mike’s leadership, this project has set a new benchmark for how modern communities can leverage spatial data to drive resilience and operational efficiency.
Cultivating the Next Generation via the GIS Pathways Program
Mike Cousins presenting GIS concepts to students of the Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men, a tuition-free college preparatory high school in Detroit, Michigan with a history of promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Photo courtesy of Mike Cousins.
While the first award celebrates technological innovation, Mike’s second SAG Award speaks directly to his heart as an educator, mentor, and community advocate. As the Vice-Chair of the Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA) GIS Pathways Program Advisory Board in Detroit, Mike was recognized for his long-standing and pivotal role in a groundbreaking educational partnership.
Alongside FDA Lead Chad Segrist and fellow industry leaders Frank Romo and Ray Lillibridge, Mike helped design and implement a unique GIS & drone-based curriculum that makes complex geospatial concepts accessible, culturally relevant, and engaging for high school students. The dual-enrollment program has been highly successful, helping to lower high school dropout rates and boost college application numbers. By bridging the gap between industry and the classroom, Mike is actively opening doors for young men in Detroit to discover viable, high-tech career paths in geography and spatial sciences.
The Heart of a Spartan: Leadership, Community, and Service
For those who know Mike, these achievements come as no surprise. Since graduating from MSU with a B.S. in Geography (specializing in Spatial Information Processing), Mike has spent nearly two decades embodying the "Spartans Will" spirit.
His contribution to the geospatial field extends far beyond his daily work at OHM Advisors. Whether he is advancing the department through his efforts with the MSU Geography Alumni Advisory Board, being an inaugural board member of the MI GIS Advisory Group, being a board member for MiCAMP and helping to merge MiCAMP and IMAGIN into CMPASS one unified GIS organization in the state, mentoring students, or leading the annual "OHM Advisors Stuff the Truck" gift drive for the Detroit Shriners and Shriners Children’s Hospitals, Mike consistently puts people first.
His recent recognition as one of Oakland County’s 40 Under 40 is yet another milestone in a career defined by giving back. Mike’s double win at the Esri User Conference is a proud moment for the entire MSU community, proving that spatial data is at its most powerful when it is used to build stronger communities and inspire those who will map the future.
Please join the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences in extending our warmest congratulations to Mike Cousins on this phenomenal, well-deserved double achievement!