Semme Dijkstra

semmed@ccom.unh.edu

Semme began as a practitioner and technical expert, having worked both in industry and government. His focus has changed from not only collecting knowledge but also conveying it. As a professor at the Center, he repeatedly returns to the question: How do students become competent professionals and scientists? Whether discussing geodesy, GNSS, hydrography, accreditation, field operations, or assessment, the recurring thread is the development of people.

Semme focuses on bridging theory to practice. It is his goal to make abstract concepts rarely remain abstract. Geodesy becomes informed decision making about positioning and the use of geodetic reference frames. Theoretic topics in ocean mapping become guidelines for survey operations. Survey operations lead to real deliverables. Students in Dr. Dijkstra's courses are expected to not merely to understand systems, but to mobilize, integrate, troubleshoot, and operate them, as well as analyze the data collected with them.

Semme also focuses on stewardship. Not only teaching courses, he maintains and evolves institution curricula, standards, field programs, and accreditation frameworks so that they may continue beyond any individual student or instructor.