Each month of the academic year, the Appalachian State University College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) randomly selects one staff member to be featured in a staff spotlight on our website and social media accounts and to receive a small gift in recognition of their service to the College. To view the past recipients, visit cas.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/staff-spotlights.
Josh Platt '21 '22
GIS Lab Manager & Adjunct Instructor
Department of Geography & Planning
Following his graduation from the Appalachian State University Department of Geography and Planning in 2022, Josh Platt joined the department as the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab Manager.
In his role, Platt serves as the university's ArcGIS administrator, manages the department's technology and equipment, administers the department’s website and social media accounts, and creates promotional materials. Platt also teaches one course, Geospatial Technology in a Changing World (GHY/PLN 2812), which provides an overview of global positioning systems, remote sensing, and GIS.
"I truly enjoy it all. Teaching, collaborating with faculty members, producing maps for the High Country community, etc. I love the variety of tasks that fall under my purview, especially the design and marketing aspects which allows me to utilize skills in my past career. However, the absolute best part is seeing students get excited about geography and/or GIS," said Platt.
Platt graduated with his bachelor's degree in geography in 2021 and completed his master's degree in geography in 2022 through App State's Accelerated Admissions Program. His graduate thesis explored the geomorphic response to the removal of the Ward's Mill Dam, a topic he continues to research with his colleague Dr. Derek Martin, associate professor in the Department of Geography and Planning.
Currently, Platt is developing an online application to map dam removals across North America with the intention of providing policymakers, stakeholders, and engineers relevant response trajectories to better plan for future removal projects. He is also starting to experiment with sonic properties in freshwater systems and how the frequency ranges of anthropogenic encroachment and noise influences the ecology of a section of river. Specifically, the goal is to record both underwater and on the surface both before and after a dam removal.
When asked what he enjoys doing in his free time, Platt replied, "I do too many things! I most enjoy days off with big elevation gain through cycling or hiking/scrambling, heading home for a big meal, and finishing it off with a snuggle session with my dog on the couch."
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About the Department of Geography and Planning
The Department of Geography and Planning promotes the understanding of the spatial dimensions of human behavior within the physical and cultural systems of the earth, and the role of planning in achieving improvement in those systems. The department offers degrees in geography and in community and regional planning. Learn more at https://geo.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
Josh Platt '21 '22
Following his graduation from the Appalachian State University Department of Geography and Planning in 2022, Josh Platt '21 '22 joined the department as the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lab Manager.