The University of Texas at Dallas
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Joshua Mcculley

Major: BS in Geospatial Information Sciences

UT Dallas Achievements & Activities

  • Oil & Natural Gas Site Suitability Model:
    • Created a model using data from the West Coast Gulf Basin and the Permian Basin (Texas)
    • Identified ideal areas for shareholders and investors
  • GIS Mapping Projects:
    • Produced various maps, including:
      • Toxic index exposure for schools in Dallas County
      • Digitization and modernization of city infrastructure plans
      • Other common GIS application areas
  • Energy Site Suitability Scoring System:
    • Designed a scoring system for the U.S. that considers multiple energy types per state
    • Allows user-specified queries to determine optimal locations
    • Connected to a local server for real-time updates (given server access)
  • Musical Involvement:
    • Member of the wind ensemble at UTD
    • Alto saxophone player for most academic years
    • Experience with piano and musical composition

How has being part of EPPS helped you?

The staff and particular program I am in at EPPS has helped me more clearly visualize the future I want; flexible in application but stable in reward. GIS, and other programs at EPPS, can be pursed in a career context without having to be locked behind a desk inside or be trapped outside with little to no reward. The various backgrounds and accomplishments of staff and students opened the curtain to seeing mixed applications of, perhaps thought of initially as linear, programs offered at EPPS. 

Plans for the Future

Career-wise I want to be a GIS analyst in the energy or defense industry, with preference towards oil and gas. However, subjects such as infrastructure or environmental research are equally interesting to me. 

Advice to Prospective EPPS Students

Just because the path you walk into school with ends doesn’t mean you can’t find another wall that you can climb over. Most staff and students at EPPS will offer to guide and help you throughout your academic struggles such that you grow stronger as a student and as a person; you just have to be willing to grow, willing to tackle the problems you face, and willing to challenge yourself to be better.