Student Success
Geography’s Next Generation of Leaders
Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTCU) is an international honor society in Geography. Gamma Theta Upsilon was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931. GTU members have good academic performance and a strong interest in geography.
The University of Northern Colorado’s chapter Kappa Zeta was founded on March 21, 1968.
Eligibility:
- Students from any major that have completed a minimum of 3 geography courses
- Have a GPA of at least 3.3 overall and in geography courses
- Have completed at least 3 semesters of college course work
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be invited to join GTU. Membership requires a one-time $40 fee, payable to the national office (there are no local chapter dues at this time). Once your application and payment have processed, you will receive an official certificate of membership. You may then list your GTU affiliation as an academic honor on your resume.
Benefits of GTU Membership
- Engage: Chapters can organize and host geography-related speakers, campus-wide programs, field trips, social events and more.
- Service: Members can participate in service functions with their local chapter, or the GTU Executive Committee as a Student Outreach Assistant.
- Network: Membership provides a network that helps students become better acquainted with other geography students and faculty.
- Scholarships: Members are eligible to apply for a variety of Gamma Theta Upsilon Scholarships.
- Expertise: Membership in an academic honor society is evidence of your dedication to and competency in your potential career field. Some employers give hiring preference or a higher starting salary to accredited honor society members. Members can also improve their expertise in the field of geography by learning things not normally covered in the classroom.
- Lifetime Membership: GTU gives all its members a lifetime membership, so they never have to renew or pay yearly fees.
Interested in joining GTU? Faculty in the Department of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability will invite students to apply for GTU using this application in the Spring semester. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Salo.
Gamma Sigma Theta
National Honor Society for Geospatial Technology
Gamma Sigma Theta is a national honor society for geospatial technology that recognizes student’s achievements in the geospatial sciences. It brings together students and professionals committed to advancing the fields of GIS, remote sensing, cartography, and spatial analysis.
The University of Northern Colorado’s chapter was founded in November 2025.
Eligibility
- Students from any major that have completed a minimum of 3 geospatial technology courses.
- Have a GPA of at least 3.3 in their geospatial course work.
- Have an overall GPS of 3.0 or greater.
- Submission and faculty advisor approval of an independent course project.
If you meet the above requirements, you will be invited to join Gamma Sigma Theta. Once your application is received by the faculty advisor they will submit your information and will receive a certificate. You will then be able to add this new honor to your resume.
Benefits of Gamma Sigma Theta Membership
- Free student memberships in the Geospatial Professional Network (GPN)
- Complementary one-year student membership in the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and automatic approval to take the ASPRS Geospatial Intern certification exam.
- Free access to the GIS Certification Institute’s GISP Practice Test.
- Free student access to DroneDeploy Academy and Certificates.
- Access to GST LinkedIn Page for networking. (Exclusive to honor society members)
Interested in joining Gamma Sigma Theta? Faculty in the Department of Geography, GIS, and Sustainability will invite students to apply for each semester. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Salo.
Join Our Student Club
Promote Sustainability
Empowering students in transforming the campus community to a more sustainable culture through collaboration of students, faculty, and staff.
Student Leaf
Community Building
The Garden Club is a fun, welcoming group of students who care about growing food, helping the environment, and learning together. We take care of campus gardens, share tips on gardening, and work on projects that support a greener campus. Everyone is welcome to join.
Garden Club
Fight for Justice
Earth Guardian is a nonprofit that supports youth leadership in the environmental movement, especially in communities that face more challenges.
Earth Guardian
GIS in the Rockies
Join us at GIS in the Rockies, a regional conference in Denver where you can learn new GIS skills, meet professionals, and discover how mapping technology solve real-world problems.
Poudre River Forum
The Forum is a day-long event that explores water issues, how it's used, its history, and conservation efforts in the Cache la Poudre River watershed.
Weld County Youth Environmental Leadership Summit
The Weld County Youth Environmental Leadership Summit is a partnership between the Sustainable Living Association, University of Northern Colorado, and Greeley-Evans School District 6 that brings students together to explore environmental science, learn sustainability solutions, and build leadership skills to create positive change in their communities.
Department Activities
Annual Camping Trip
Join the DoGGS as we kick off each new school year with a weekend camping adventure. All students are welcome to unplug, relax, and enjoy time together in nature while building friendships and having fun outdoors.
Maps Crafts
Join us for Map Crafts, where we give old maps a new life! Students can turn upcycled maps into creative items like magnets, ornaments, pendants, and other unique decor.
City of Greeley, GIS Day
Every November, students join the community to celebrate the power of GIS technology, exploring how maps and data shape the world around us and make a real impact on science, planning, and everyday life.
