Last September, Elizabeth Semande joined the team as a GIS Specialist.

Elizabeth grew up in London Mills, Illinois, a village with a population of 300, though Elizabeth states that is only on a good day.

After graduating from a small rural high school, she attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where she studied anthropology and geography with a minor in GIS. Elizabeth was drawn to different things within these fields of study: the human aspect of anthropology and the adaptability of geography. Though the two fields work well together, Elizabeth also appreciates how anything can be related back to geography.

While she was in college, she met her future husband, Seth. Shortly after they graduated, the couple moved to Knoxville so that Seth could pursue his PhD in geography at the University of Tennessee. While Seth has been in school, Elizabeth has been gaining professional GIS experience.

She was initially attracted to the position with our agency because of its GIS focus, but over time she has enjoyed seeing glimpses of her anthropology background in her work. Specifically, Elizabeth has learned how planning directly impacts individuals in a community and encourages interaction between staff and community members.

Before she joined Planning, Elizabeth didn’t realize just how much work and input go into even the simplest case. This, she thinks, is a testament to how important planning is for a community. In her role she has been able to collaborate with other community agencies, including assisting in mapping for the KAT Reimagined Program.

Elizabeth is a creature of habit and appreciates a routine that brings her stability and consistency. In the office, she enjoys her morning tea and her regular monthly duties which include agenda maps, zoning edits, and slope analysis.

Elizabeth and Seth recently got married, and the two of them have dinner with Seth’s parents every Wednesday night. Every Thursday night is reserved for trivia with friends, but she spends her free time hanging out with her cats, playing board games, and refinishing furniture.