Anthony Kowalchick: From CMU student to GIS leader

Anthony Kowalchick’s journey at Central Michigan University began in 2012, where he embarked on a dual academic path as a Geography major with a concentration in Geographic Information Science and a minor in US History. Beyond his academic pursuits, Anthony was deeply involved in campus life, notably through his participation in the Running Club. His leadership in the club saw him rise to the position of president, where he honed his skills in organization management, fundraising for races, course design, and delegation—all valuable experiences that he would later apply in his professional life.

A pivotal moment in Anthony’s college experience was his internship with Shelby Township during the summer of his sophomore year. This role allowed him to apply his GIS skills in a practical setting and paved the way for his future career. Today, Anthony works as a GIS analyst at AEW (Anderson, Eckstein, & Westrick, Inc.), an engineering and design firm. He is ambitiously working towards becoming the GIS lead for several municipalities in the Metro Detroit area.

During his senior year, Anthony had the opportunity to present his undergraduate thesis at the American Association of Geographers conference in San Francisco. This milestone was made possible through the support and encouragement of Geography and Environmental Studies Professor and Department Chair Matthew Liesch and provided Anthony with a platform to showcase his work to the broader geography community.

Reflecting on his college years, Anthony emphasizes the importance of networking within the GIS field, a strategy that greatly aided him in securing a job post-graduation. He also highlights the significance of his Geography of Michigan class, where he created a historic GIS project that has since inspired several historical mapping projects for communities in the Metro Detroit area. “From this project, I have branched off this idea and now have created several historical mapping projects for several communities in the metro Detroit area,” Anthony explained.

Anthony credits much of his personal and professional growth to his time at CMU. “There are a lot of people I would love to shout out. From my running club family and all the great times we had, to Geography students and professors, who helped me along my journey and gave me great opportunities to grow,” he shared.

Anthony Kowalchick’s story is one of dedication, growth, and the transformative power of education and community. As he continues his journey towards becoming a GIS leader in Metro Detroit, his experiences at CMU remain a cornerstone of his success.

We thank Anthony for sharing his story and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!