My path in Geographic Information Sciences at Texas A&M University has
led me to a myriad of opportunities. Whether it be in participating in the oil and
gas industry or conducting academic research, I have yet to find a field where GIS is
not valuable. Throughout coursework and experience, I have found a special niche in cartography.
This as well as my passion for the arts allows me to transform what is understood with logic into creative
visualizations that inspire a new perspective and understanding of the dynamic world around us. I believe there is great value in being able to communicate large concepts with creative visual designs such as maps, infographics, diagrams, charts and much more.
I consider myself a creative person. When I am not studying, I enjoy painting with acrylics or experimenting with pastels, and I love playing the piano. I also practice boxing and crocheting as a way to keep busy. Born and raised in Texas, I appreciate family-style barbecue and the occasional night out two-stepping with friends.
I originally found my way to studying geosciences through an Intro to Geology course, when I was absolutely captivated by the chapter on soils in my textbook; following my graduation in December 2018, I achieved a minor in Geology. In addition to a deep appreciation for earth systems and geologic processes (as seen here), my international travels have also given me diverse cultural experiences. Having awareness and passion for both the earth and the people in it gives me a unique point of view of what and who we are mapping.
The world is constantly changing, and studying GIS helps me to tackle new challenges with a spatial perspective,
while creating a keen skill set for critical and creative problem solving.
Graduate student. Cartographer. Published researcher.
Heather
Anne
Swienton
CURRENT WORK: I have recently been working towards my latest publication with Cartographcia (September 2023) while furthering and expanding upon my Master's research on Children's Cartography for my current dissertation! This work focuses on visually and statistically analyzing the content and design of hundreds of children's hand drawn mental maps in efforts to explore how their unique perspective can help us improve, inspire, and understand mapping in a new light.
As it relates to additional research, I am currently assisting my PhD advisor (Dr. Alberto Giordano) in research pertaining to Qualitative GIS, exploring how to combine both quantitative (GIS) and qualitative (interviews, testimonies, text descriptions, etc.) data within innovative and novel cartographic visualizations. Specifically, we have multiple projects ongoing that focus on researching and visualizing:
As it relates to cartographic work, I have been working as a contract cartographer for a Dr. Aimee Villarreal in Texas State's Anthropology Department to create novel cartographic visualizations of curated cultural areas for her upcoming book about New Mexico Borderlands (book forthcoming January 2024).
As it relates to teaching, I am currently an Instructor of Record, leading our department's course in Maps and Mapmaking (GEO 3411) for undergraduate students. I also serve as the PhD President of our department's primary student organization, the 'Graduate Forum'.
FUTURE FOCUS: As of the Spring of 2023, I have completed my course work in Texas State's Geography PhD program. While I continue my role as Instructor of Record through my Graduate Assistantship, I am currently planning and preparing for my comprehensive exams and dissertation proposal defense, with plans to graduate in 2025. Looking towards the future, I am ambitious about finding a career where I can combine my deep passion for cartographic design and cartographic education.
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the geographic relationships between and border history of 18th century Lithuanian/Prussian border smuggling from interviews,
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the emotional stories and geographic experiences of Holocaust survivors from oral testimonies (with a related publication in the works with the Journal of Emotion, Space, and Society),
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and the role of cartographic design in WWII propaganda and the stages of genocide (also with an article in the works).
Education & Experience
Texas A&M University
Jan 2019 - June 2019
ConocoPhillips
Summer 2018
Post-Graduate Researcher
Conducted geoscience research with a focus on paper writing and publishing. Projects include: personal research, data visualization, analysis of GeoJobs in today's industry, and more.
Land GIS Analyst Intern
Summer internship at company headquarters in Houston, Texas. Expanded core knowledge of oil and gas lease and land skills with a spatial analysis perspective. Collaborated across multiple departments to ensure shared vision of projects such as designing enterprise-wide webmaps utilizing ArcMap and web servers.
Texas State University
Aug 2019 - Present
Graduate Assistant (Research + Teaching)
Funded graduate teaching assistantship with responsibility to lead undergraduate & masters student labs in Historical Geology, Maps and Mapmaking, and Advanced Cartographic Design. I have recently been promoted to an Instructor of Record for the Maps and Mapmaking course. I also serve as the PhD President of the Graduate Forum.
Texas State University
Jan 2022 - Present
Texas State University
Aug 2019 - Dec 2021
Texas A&M University
Aug 2014 - Dec 2018
Doctor of Philosophy 4.00 GPA
Geography, focus in Cartography
Graduate Assistantship
Master of Science 4.00 GPA
Geography, focus in Cartography
Graduate Assistantship
Bachelor of Science 3.68 GPA CUM LAUDE
Geographic Information Sciences & Technology,
concentration in Earth Systems Analysis
Minor in Geology
Summer 2017
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Summer 2016
Exhibits Department Intern
Summer internship in Dallas, Texas. Collaborated with multiple museum departments to identify and resolve exhibit issues, and evaluated museum design and functionality to enhance visitor enjoyment.