Vanguard Cabinet

Vanguard Cabinet of Young GIS Professionals

Our young professional members have taken the association by storm!

GPN is unique compared to most professional associations. For 15 years, GPN has thoughtfully and intentionally supported and encouraged the next generation of young geospatial professionals through its Vanguard Cabinet and other programs. Our YP members are fully integrated into the organization with an abundance of opportunities to develop leadership skills, contribute, and get noticed.

Sharing perspectives and ideas is valued and encouraged. The entire geospatial community has benefited immensely by helping our YPs shine!

From managing URISA's Mentoring Network and supporting student competitions to leading the Coalition of Young Professionals, serving as committee leaders and even being elected to the URISA Board of Directors, these professionals are NextGen GIS leaders, providing valuable direction and enthusiasm to the community.

The Vanguard Cabinet (VC) is an advisory board made up of passionate, young* geospatial professionals who strive to engage young practitioners, increase their numbers in the organization, and better understand the concerns facing these future leaders of the geospatial community. The VC's mission is to collaborate with GPN's Board of Directors and committees in creating and promoting programs and policies of benefit to young professionals and to enhance overall innovation, collaboration, networking, and professional development opportunities.

* 35 years of age or younger

As a member of the Vanguard Cabinet, you'll have a built-in network of peers with whom you will learn and grow; an unmatched foundation for professional development and growth!

Press:

Young Professional Scholarship Application Period Opens (April 4, 2025)

URISA Announces New Members of the URISA Vanguard Cabinet (September 24, 2024)

2024-2025 Vanguard Cabinet Chair: Ethan McGhee

2024-2025 Vanguard Cabinet Chair: Hannah Walters

Our Events

Series of free webinars sponsored by URISA's Vanguard Cabinet of Young Professionals

Mappy Q&A Archive Link - June 11, 2024
Spend an hour with URISA Vanguard Cabinet members to learn about opportunities for young professionals and more!

Conference Ready: Abstracts - March 7, 2024
Gain valuable advice about submitting conference presentation proposals.

Brown Bag - March 13, 2024
New to the workforce or GIS? Have questions about the profession? Join URISA's Vanguard Cabinet of young professionals to learn from their experiences and chart your course.

Our Subcommittees

To support GPN and young GIS professionals, the Vanguard Cabinet (VC) has three subcommittees that coordinate our efforts. Each VC member supports two of the three subcommittees, as well as joining a GPN committee.

Mentoring: This subcommittee supports young GIS professionals by providing a network of GIS mentors where mentors and mentees forge connections, talk through challenges, and plan for the future! As a mentee, in addition to having an assigned mentor to meet with, you will be added to the LinkedIn Mentoring Group, where you can chat with other young professionals and get answers from other mentors. Visit our Hub Site to learn more, and keep an eye on our social media for announcements regarding the next cohort.

Outreach: This subcommittee is responsible for engaging young GIS professionals in the URISA and larger GIS communities through creating and promoting events, and running the Vanguard Cabinet social media accounts. Follow our accounts to stay up to date with GIS happenings, local GIS events, and mappy memes - and be sure to tag us with your questions and ideas!

Know an inspiring GIS Professional? Submit a shout out for them to be recognized in our On The Map series!

Check out past On The Map shout outs!

GIS-Pro: This subcommittee supports the planning and organization of URISA’s annual GIS-Pro Conference through outreach for student volunteers and promoting the Annual Digital Competition (where students can win a free URISA membership and travel stipend!). This subcommittee supports URISA’s conference planning committee. Learn more about the opportunities here.

Meet the 2023-2025 Members of URISA's Vanguard Cabinet

Click on the image below to launch the Vanguard Cabinet Story Map: