Easton Vanover As the season of gratitude begins, another semester here at UNT ends. This November, we are excited to shine a spotlight on a student who has truly made their mark: meet Easton Vanover, a standout student who is not only mapping out success in the classroom but is also preparing to make his way into the real world!

            Easton is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Computer Science, along with a certificate in Data Analytics. With a love for the outdoors and a passion for exploring the physical world, Easton always had an interest in earth sciences. “I used to scroll through Google Maps, learning about the geography of towns and cities across the world,” he shares.           

              However, Easton’s journey did not start there. Originally, he was pursuing a computer science degree. “I formerly was a computer science student here at UNT until something drew me to research the geography degrees in the UNT degree Catalog” he recalls. “I stumbled upon the GIS + CS degree and it felt like a perfect fit.” Easton appreciated the program’s ability to allow him to continue using his computer science skills while applying them to spatial data, map creation, and dashboard development. This combination inspired him to pursue the GIS + CS program.

                Throughout his time at UNT, Easton has learned valuable lessons. One of them is taking more initiative to connect with his professors and attend events hosted by the department and departmental clubs. “There’s a lot of really cool things that are going on that will help students understand better how they can apply their skills in the workforce,” he says. If there is one piece of advice Easton has for future students in the department, it is this: “Pair your degree with a more technical certification or minor. That extra credential will help you land an entry-level job.”

                Easton also expresses the importance of becoming comfortable working with group projects. “Through my two summer internships working for Pioneer Natural Resources, I saw firsthand just how many projects get assigned to multiple people,” he explains. “Teamwork in a project setting is a skill that many people do not have coming into college. Learning how to work together and communicate is a major lesson that I have learned in my undergraduate studies, and it will have a direct impact on my success in my career.”

                After graduation, Easton hopes to work as a data analyst with a spatial focus. “Through this degree and my certificate, I have learned a lot more about data than I would have ever imagined 3 years ago. I would love to utilize my spatial experience to add a different perspective to a team of analysts,” he expresses.        

               Fun facts about Easton include that he grew up on a ranch in the northwest corner of Denton County, where his father ran over a hundred head of cattle. He attended Slidell High School, a 1A public school, where his graduating class consisted of just seventeen students. “Interestingly enough, the first person ever drafted to the NBA also graduated from Slidell,” Easton notes. “And he turned it down to be a farmer and a coach.”

                We are thrilled to highlight an outstanding student like Easton Vanover and wish him all the best as he closes this chapter at UNT’s Geography Department!