Ryan Swingley, Geospatial Business Unit Executive at ESP Associates and the official onsite surveyor for Hamilton Heights, guides students through real-world surveying techniques during the Golden Shovel Competition, bringing math, measurement, and mentorship to life in Indiana’s first high school Construction Trades Education program. (Photo provided)
Submitted by Hamilton Heights School Corporation
When Ryan Swingley steps onto the campus of Hamilton Heights High School (HHHS), he’s not just a land surveyor, he’s a mentor, a coach, and a champion for the next generation of construction professionals.
As the onsite surveying coach for students who participate in the annual Golden Shovel Competition, Swingley brings more than 28 years of geospatial expertise to a sandbox filled with possibility.
Swingley, the Geospatial Business Unit Executive for ESP Associates and a respected leader in the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), has built a career on precision and purpose. But his passion lies in workforce development, especially when it means sparking curiosity in students who may never have considered surveying as a career.
Photo provided
The Golden Shovel Competition, now in its third year, is a signature event for Hamilton Heights’ Construction Trades Education program that continues to draw in teams from schools around the state. Students apply classroom instruction to real-world challenges, using surveying tools to calculate elevation, measure distances, and move material with purpose among some of the skills events. Swingley’s role is to guide them through the principles and practices of land surveying, helping them understand not just how to build, but how to build with accuracy.
“I really focus on teaching the kids,” Swingley said. “That one math equation – the Pythagorean Theorem – can help them lay out a perfect square on the ground. Then we use optical or laser levels to grade the corners to a specific elevation. It’s what they need to compete, and it’s a skill they can take with them into the workforce.”
“Surveying is foundational to civil construction,” he continued. “If students are going into that field, they need to understand what surveyors do. And if we can spark interest and attract young talent into this great profession, that’s a win for everyone.”
Swingley’s influence extends beyond the classroom and Heights’ Sandbox. A past president of ISPLS and current board member, he started the Young Professionals Committee and has spoken to hundreds of students across Indiana – from Kindergarten classrooms to career fairs. He’s taught the Surveying Merit Badge to Boy Scouts and serves as an adjunct instructor at Vincennes University, where he teaches remote sensing for land surveyors each fall.
His connection to Hamilton Heights runs deep.
“It’s good to be part of a program that started it all in the state,” Swingley said. “The kids here are smart, capable, and respectful. It’s a joy to work with them.”
Photo provided
“We are fortunate to have such a talented man involved with our civil construction program,” HHHS Construction Teacher Kevin Sheets said. “His knowledge of surveying is second to none and he makes a somewhat confusing subject for the students to grasp much easier to understand. I appreciate him dearly! I am proud he is part of our team!”
For Swingley, the work is personal. Raised in Selma, Ind., and raising his family in Hamilton County, he understands the value of community and the importance of investing in future generations. Whether he’s overseeing technical projects across the country or coaching students in real time, his message is clear: precision matters, and so does mentorship.
Thanks to leaders like Ryan Swingley, Hamilton Heights students aren’t just learning how to build – they’re learning how to build with purpose, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world beneath their feet.
